Mantrafox’s third single hits differently, with electric guitars and 70s rock vibes, proving real musical versatility
Southampton UK-based Mantrafox drops a third single on 11th October 2024, with an EP release coming hot on its heels the following month.
Mantrafox crafts a vivid tapestry of classic rock nostalgia and modern ambition, effortlessly blending introspective lyrics with rhythmic drive. The song evokes a sense of longing and fleeting time. The recurring metaphor of the “bottom line” hints at the relentless chase for success, all while acknowledging the unrefined beauty of artistic creation. It’s a lyrical journey through dreamlike reflections and rock ’n’ roll perseverance.
Mantrafox explains, ‘I just let the song guide me to how it wanted to be written, both sonically and lyrically. The words just appeared on the page, like I’m pulling them from another Earth reality where the song already exists. Sometimes it’s really quick like that. It feels like it’s a tongue-in-cheek song about being in a band. Playing with other musicians. With lots of plays on words.’
Bottom Line is tricky to define as a song, with its nod to 70s rock elements from the guitars and vocal processing, but with drums and lead guitar that also lend it it a more modern, but retro-facing surf rock feel.
Mantrafox gives insight into the creative process, ‘The song has two rhythm guitars tracked left and right in the stereo field, playing slightly altered chords from one another. Overall it has more than thirty chord shapes featured, so on paper it could be jazz-fusion, and yet to hear it it doesn’t sound complicated at all because of how they flow together quickly. That’s the reason an uncomplicated melody like this works better on this sort of chord layout, so it doesn’t all become too much.’
The lead guitar phrases, including the solo were written away from the guitar itself. ‘This lets you create notes that are more like a melody, without being constrained by keys or modes. It also lets the lead guitar be a voice, earning its place on the record. I later heard that’s how Brian May did his solos, which makes sense, thinking about it. And because they are proper melodies, when I perform my songs at open mic or something, I always sing the solos!’
Stay tuned for Bottom Line, October 11th 2024.
For further updates and releases, visit: Mantrafox (@mantrafox) • Instagram photos and videos
