Genre/Influences: Minimal-electronics, krautrock.

Background/Info: There’s not a lot of information available about Mandivula. The solo-project likes certain anonymity, but seems to be located in the Southern part of Europe. “Nonsense” appears to be the artist’s debut album featuring seven cuts.

Content: There clearly is a minimal-electro approach running through the work, which has been mixed with krautrock elements. I also noticed a few psychedelic passages. The cuts are rather short. The work is progressively evolving towards darker atmospheres while the compositions remain instrumentals.

+ + + : “Nonsense” reveals an interesting merge between different electronic elements creating a refreshing touch. I like the sound-minimalism, which also has something vintage like through the analogue-like sound treatments. I also enjoyed the work’s darkness and hypnotic effects. “Austerity” is a sublime piece of music where the atmosphere perfectly reflects the title of the song.

– – – : I noticed one forgettable song (cf. “Grey”) that I think it could be interesting to mix a few sampled- or real vocal lines in some songs.

Conclusion: Mandivula appears to be a real DIY artist, which is an element I support, but it also is an interesting discovery for electro tasters.

Best songs: “Austerity”, “My Spine”, “Disease”, “Void”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.facebook.com/thisismandivula

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

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