MJ Lenderman’s "Manning Fireworks" bursts with a raw, unpolished charm that blends elements of alt-country, lo-fi and grunge. It’s the fourth album by this Asheville, North Carolina artist who recently collaborated with Waxahatchee on her latest album and is the guitarist for the indie band Wednesday.
Lenderman's raspy, laid-back vocals and fuzzy guitar tones blend with his lyrics that fluctuate between vulnerability and wry humor. The production is purposefully rough around the edges with Lenderman playing most of the instruments making it feel like a home recording.
His lyrics contain sly easter eggs that reference rock songs by Quiet Riot, The Band, Bob Dylan and Ozzy Osbourne and Eric Clapton and he balances that style with songs that are about seriously flawed characters who sound like that could him or some well- constructed literary storytelling.
"Manning Fireworks" is unfiltered and ragged but also honest and whip-smart—an album that doesn’t try to impress but instead invites the listener into Lenderman's world, where melancholy, humor and self-reflection collide in deeply relatable ways. It’s a compelling listen from an up and coming artist.