Mannywellz’ artistry can be summarily described as an almost perfect fusion of soul, Afro-pop, and RnB among other experimental sounds he’s armed himself with for the past six years. His passion for acquainting the world with this mixture comes to full form on his just-released EP, Mirage, a seven-track ode to love spurn utopia.
The seven-track project breezes through cataclysmic feelings presented in different forms that inspire the various personas Mannywellz assumes throughout. On opener, Peace, the soul train driver leans on the sweet but deceitful effects of worn-out dopamine that has himself and Tems; who lends her silky vocals to his retreat, reaching out for freedom.
So Good, another phase of his riotous feelings is presented as a drowsy but bass-heavy iteration of awe. Similarly, the Wale assisted A Million, finds him walking the same path.
Mannywellz might be based in America, but he has strong ties to his roots in Nigeria. On Danfo and Sweet And Tender, he shows off his ear for the exquisiteness of traditional African sounds wielding the talking drum as his major tool of communication. While he strays on the following track, Dangerous, working our heartstrings as electric guitars are strum in the background, his dexterous grip, is the highlight of this genre transcendence.
Above all, Mannywellz’s creative genius rings true on the project’s sweeping lyricism, its experimental but refined and relatable sounds, and his small but impressive and befitting choice of features. Mirage might indicate an illusion but the feelings shared and inspired, in turn, are as real and textured as Mannywellz’s high-quality vocals.