MJ Lenderman, a 20-year-old guitarist and songwriter from the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, plays nearly every instrument on his latest album – Manning Fireworks. The new record is a new dawn and debut with ANTI- Records, marking a significant evolution in his career. Lenderman’s incisive songwriting blends sharp humor with an undercurrent of disquiet.
Manning Fireworks’ instant classic ability’s – filled with wit, sadness, and Lenderman’s signature rusted-wire guitar solos.. His previous album Boat Songs, coupled with the build up of these newest songs filled with poignant reflective stories, has earned him a growing cult following.
“I’m not interested in growing so much. I want to be financially stable as a musician but also have a second to chill and collect my thoughts”, Lenderman says.
With Manning Fireworks, he delivers his fourth album in five years – continuing to solidify his reputation as a promising figure in indie rock. Lenderman falls any and everywhere between icons like Neil Young to Built To Spill. Despite being hailed as the genre’s “next great hope,” he remains refreshingly indifferent to the expectations surrounding him, opting instead to carve his own path with raw, dissonant, and emotionally charged music.
These songs are deceptively empathetic but still come with a laugh.. set yourself an alarm and don’t get caught sleeping on Manning Fireworks.
– @meanwhile_in_music