FEATURE:
Sugar High
Looking Ahead to the First Anniversary of Iraina Mancini’s Undo the Blue
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I realise I have…
PHOTO CREDIT: Jason A Miller
written about this album a lot! Almost as compensation for the lack of words it received last year. On 18th August, 2023, the sublime Iraina Mancini released Undo the Blue. We had heard singles previously. In fact, one can trace her career back to 2018. A song that does not appear on the album, Undercover, was released then. Lovers in the Dark came out in 2019. The first single that does appear on Undo the Blue is Shotgun. From there, we got a fairly consistent run of excellent, distinct and beautiful singles that would make their way onto her eclectic, personality-filled, dynamic, sumptuous and hugely accomplished solo album. After Undo the Blue was released, Mancini went on tour. She performed a string of dates around the U.K. I caught her twice in London. I was due to see her at the 100 Club earlier in the year but had to miss it because of suspect kidney stones. I was literally on my way to the gig and had to detour pretty sharp. I was gutted. She is a captivating live performer who is note-perfect. No bum notes or any nerves. Like you are hearing a studio version, only with the extra power and punch of the live band. Mancini a truly transfixing and stunning live performer! Incredibly stylish, chich, cool and charming, she is humble and sweet. Someone genuinely overwhelmed by the crowd’s rapture and affection. Someone who I hope gets to play some big venues around the world. I have said how she would be able to play cities like Paris. Some time in New York and Los Angeles too. An American audience surely awaits. In addition to her U.K. tour, Iraina Mancini also played some festivals and big dates. Go and check out her official website.
After the release of the album, there were some remixes. Saint Etienne were involved. A terrific remix of one of the album’s standout tracks, Sugar High. There was Beyond the Wizards Sleeve Re-Animation of Undo the Blue. I think there are so many possibilities when it comes to remixing her tracks. I would love others to get involved. Undo the Blue picked up a couple of amazing reviews. This and this. In terms of live performances, she played with The Coral and did some stunning solo sets. I was aghast that more did not review Undo the Blue! Think about the fact songs were being championed by BBC Radio 6 Music. This Needle Mythology signing releasing such an incredible debut album. Where were NME, DIY, CLASH, The Line of Best Fit, The Times, The Guardian and everyone else?! It did seem like they let slip through their fingers one of the best albums of the year. I genuinely feel that Undo the Blue is a flawless album where every track hits hard and is phenomenally strong. Iraina Mancini is a D.J. who has a show on Radio Soho. She is a someone who has this incredible passion for music. A person who digs deep into the crates. Through French and Japanese sounds. Through Disco and Psychedelia, she has won high-profile fans such as Lauren Laverne and Jo Whiley. Born in London, Mancini’s father is Warren Peace. He was a childhood friend of David Bowie, and he contributed to several of Bowie's albums and tours. If you look through Mancini’s music C.V., included will be the time when she was part of a band called The Venus Fury. She was in that with ex members of The Zutons and The Dead 60s.
There is this incredible pedigree and passion. Someone who brought so many different styles and colours to her debut. A phenomenal lyricist and composer, every song sounds both honed and tight but also loose and nuanced. You will get something new from the tracks every time. A brilliantly sequenced debut album, you have an equally potent and appealing first, second and third third. The one-two-three of the racing and thrilling Deep End; the ultra-cool and Beatles-flavoured (I compared the sound to their Revolver period) and then the wonder and joy of Sugar High. Already, three songs in, we have covered different moods, decades and genres! With singles having their distinct videos made, I often wonder what Mancini would have come up regarding videos for My Umbrella and Need Your Love. No matter how many times you play Undo the Blue, it loses none of its sparkle, power, utter brilliance and fascination. So many layers and treasures to be discovered. I think fans are looking ahead to fresh material and seeing where she goes next. Undo the Blue is wonderfully produced. It has this flow. Every track is very different but each can almost be the pick of the album. I know people choose different favourite songs – mine is Undo the Blue, though Deep End and Sugar High I have seen performed live and really love what Mancini does with them. I know I will write about her music when new stuff is out. As the first anniversary is coming up, she will mark that occasion. You can buy the album and some cool merchandise too.
Last year was such a strong and interesting one for album releases. Some absolute classics were released. Besting boygenius’ the record, Iraina Mancini’s Undo the Blue did something very special. Not only was I struck by the songs and hugely determined to see her live. I also listened to some of the influences you can hear in tracks and went back the source. Tracing back and imagining the records Mancini would have been hearing and inspired by when writing her tracks. Her writing and composing is so rich and cinematic. Every song compels vivid projections. I have said how the songs would fit wonderfully in a short film or they could be on the screen. Listening to the album again in full, it makes me excited to see what comes next. There will be no sophomore slump or difficult second album. In fact, it might be even finer than Undo the Blue. Quite a scary and astonishing thing for any artist this early on! Iraina Mancini will be releasing music for years more. Play bigger and bigger venues across cities and countries. In terms of other opportunities, she will collaborate with other artists and, who knows, appear on the small screen. I would love to get an insight into her record collection and her songwriting. Sort of an At Home with Iraina Mancini. Her in the studio putting everything together. Such is the brilliance of her debut, I do hope that the upcoming first anniversary – on 18th August – moves people who have not heard the album to go and check it out. Mancini should be hugely proud of what she achieved! Alongside her fellow producers and songwriters, she created a masterful and spellbinding album. Undo the Blue is an album that you should buy, drop the needle on, and sit back and let it absorb into the heart and soul. It will leave you on…
A massive sugar high.