An intriguing, inventive, and captivating tapestry of sound, the new single from Brooklyn-based lo-fi bedroom indie project five mango trees is a curious thing. Interspersed with various clips from assorted media outlets and what sounds like liberal utilisation of almost nu-metal-esque DJ scratches it has a distinct and unique sonic identity. However, it also employs a selection of more familiar tender, ragged, basic, low fidelity sounds that we all know and have come to love – and as such, it feels like a bit of a hybrid, or chameleon.
The overwhelming vibe is one of slacker rock – all lazy vocals, low stakes, and ramshackle charm – but there is more at play here. Indeed, as the song starts, it feels ethereal and enchanting, and as it progresses, it becomes less cute and more assertive and assured. By its conclusion, we’ve been through maelstroms – there are moments of positively cacophonous noise – especially when compared to how the song begins and how it ends. Some may think of the “lo-fi” label as being limited or one-dimensional – this track would prove them wrong. Over the course of its almost four minutes, rose quarter goes from lilting, lethargic, and laconic to loud and lively – and it always remains lovable.
The use of sports commentary dialogue feels like it transports you to somewhere else – to shiny, squeaky, basketball court floors or jubilant end zones – but is ambiguous enough so that you don’t know whether yours is the winning team, or the other one. Either way, this is an undeniable victory.
Written by Kinda Grizzly
