'Fragments' offers new material along with an insight into Manning's inspirations.
Photo: Lily Purbrick | Words: Otis Hayes
Lando Manning collects together four stirring songs to form his latest EP, 'Fragments'. Evoking a sense of undisturbed stillness, 'Fragments' sways in the wind like a deciduous leaf gently falling towards earth from the canopy of a tall tree as it sheds to conserve for the winter. Recorded in Manning's home and featuring a cover of Vashti Bunyan as well as a cover of traditional folk song 'Black Is The Colour' amongst two original compositions, the EP reveals glimpses into the South London musician's inspirations and creative processes.
Opening with the stirring 'Ginko Queen', gently fingerpicked guitars form the backdrop for Manning's haunting voice to deliver poetic lyrics inspired by a book about the struggles of North Korean defectors. Following on we are met with a cover of 'Vashti Bunyan's' 'Rose Hip November'. With organs and drums pulsating together in harmony the track suddenly injects an uplifting tone to the collection, though a gloomy feeling still remains, forming like stormy clouds in an otherwise blue sky. Sharing his influences through his selective choices of covers Manning expanded upon the single stating: "Vashti has always been a massive influence on me. The first time I listened to Diamond Day it really changed the way in which I made music. 'Rose Hip November' was always a standout song from that album [and] I always wondered what it would sound like with a band playing it."
'Fragments' closes with the aforementioned version of traditional folk song 'Black Is The Colour'. Organ softly breathes air into the track as though lungs expanding and retracting as they fill with precious oxygen whilst guitar is fingerpicked with a lightness and Manning's voice hovers above all with a soft and emotive delivery. Following on from the conception of Manning's new collaborative project with Mitsy Miller, 'Fragments' is another great collection from the current British folk revival, courtesy of one of its most talented songwriters.
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