Manon Tanguy

The problem of being a part-time somewhat music blogger is that the day-job has this habit of scuppering all your best laid plans. Not only do you start to lose track of album releases but any idea you've had for scheduling posts tend to go right out of the fenêtre...   So without further ado here's a huge mea culpa by way of an apology to auteure-compositrice Manon Tanguy.

I first came across Manon thanks to feedback from Le Comptoir Musical following my review of fellow Loire-Atlantique band L.O. Crocodile who suggested that I check out this Saint Nazaire based artist along with a download of her latest EP "Autistik" which was released last month...

But first a brief introduction. A chance encounter saw Manon record two tracks for a local compilation back in 2009 and which helped propel her on her musical journey. One which - via two EP's ("Untel a dit ça" and "Faux semblants"), her 2014 full length debut "Somniloque" and numerous musical awards - finds her in the studio currently recording her new album scheduled for release this autumn. Manon has also been gathering rave reviews opening for the likes Mina Tindle, Amélie les Crayons, Olivia Ruiz - both of whom to these ears she shares a like-minded song-writing quirkiness and spirit, and Mathilde Forget.

As such "Autistik" serves not only as a taster of Manon's new album, but more importantly was released to help raise awareness for and highlight the international World Autism Awareness Day which was held on April 2nd. So yes, this post is late. However, autism effects those with the condition - and their families, friends, partners - 24/7/365 and so I'm hoping that a few of my regular readers will be moved to click on the Awareness Day link. As befits the serious of the message, the songs powerful lyrics - written by the mother of an autistic child - belie Manon's light, fragile voice and convey the struggle of the autistic to be understood as those around them struggle to find the key to be let in... 




"Autistik" is coupled with "Le rive" and "Sous Les Vagues De Minuit." The former is a beautiful, timeless pop song - there's that hint of quirkiness again - and a cross between the piano-lead pop of La patère rose and the frippery of Tricot Machine. "Sous Les Vagues De Minuit" is a far more serious affair - there's a gorgeous slide guitar introduction, a smokiness to Manon's voice on a song which definitely leaves me wanting to hear more...

Manon Tanguy (Website)
"Autistik" (iTunes)