FEATURE: My Favourite Singles of 2022 (So Far): One: Iraina Mancini – Undo the Blue

FEATURE:

 

 

My Favourite Singles of 2022 (So Far)

One: Iraina Mancini – Undo the Blue

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I am doing this the wrong way around…

 PHOTO CREDIT: Anthony Peyper

as I am writing about my favourite singles in the year and starting with the number one choice. Usually, you build up to the best song after writing about the rest. I am doing things the other way around. Last year, Iraina Mancini released the stunning single, Do It (You Stole the Rhythm). That was one of my favourite songs of last year. This year, back in April, she put out the utterly sublime and beautiful Undo the Blue. This is how the song is described on her Bandcamp page: “Undo the blue is a dreamy soundscape inspired by the pastoral and psychedelic soul from the mid 70’s, building into a climax laced with sweeping strings, heavenly harmonies and lush brass”. There are multiple reasons why I love Undo the Blue and think that it surpasses anything else from this year. This year has seen so many incredible singles released. Iraina Mancini’s Undo the Blue gets into my heart and head. The production from Jagz Kooner (Sabres of Paradise, Primal Scream) is brilliant. I have a few things to cover off in this feature. Before then, if you do not know about Iraina Mancini, here is some biography from her official website:

“Iraina Mancini has been writing her own songs and fronting bands from a young age. Whilst on the road with these bands, she began digging into the vaults of Northern Soul, Funk, Rhythm and Blues, 60’s Garage and Disco’s rich musical history. Inspired by and building on her father’s 45’s that she had enthused over as a child, she began her passion to DJ and bring back the spirit of these often forgotten but golden musical era’s to dance floors across the globe.

Iraina has travelled the world DJ’ing and hosting at major film and fashion events such as Cannes Lion, NME Awards, Toronto Film Festival, and key music festivals; Glastonbury, Wilderness, Secret Garden Party, Bestival and for iconic brands such as GQ, Dunhill, Swarovski, Temperley, Film4 and Pretty Green.

Iraina also presents her own popular cult radio show every Tuesday on the legendary Soho Radio in London, where she teases a taster of her live DJ sets, interviews her favourite bands and serves up a music history lesson and homage to her love of Northern Soul, Funk, vintage R&B, Ska and Garage Rock. Recent guests on the show have included Ecca Vandall, Mike Chapman (Blondie, The Knack), Lee Fields, YAK, PP Arnold, Garret Shider (Parliament, Funkadelic), Babyshambles and Daddy Long Legs.

Inspired by the music she collects and DJ’s, a new solo project has started to form. Collaborating and writing with legendary producer Jagz Kooner (Primal Scream/Oasis) and featuring a stable of the UK’s most talented musicians, Iraina has now put together her live band and is hitting the road in 2022. Her sound is influenced by her favourite music from the 60’s and 70s, French Pop, Psychedelia, Soul, Ye-Ye Girls, Serge Gainsbourg and vintage cinema.

Muse to influential fashion designers, brands and artists due to her striking vintage style and inspired by Francoise Hardy, Bridgette Bardot and Jane Birkin, Iraina is the contemporary reflection of an iconic retro era that can be re-discovered and celebrated through her style and music”.

I am a big fan of Mancini’s Soho Radio show. She can play her favourite bands and artists, but the show is described thus: “Iraina is also a singer/songwriter heavily influenced by her favourite music from the 60’s and 70s, French Pop, Psychedelia, Ye-Ye Girls and Vintage cinema”. There is definitely cinema and French Pop sounds on Undo the Blue. I get a sense of classic cinema and music from the 1960s and 1970s. I am going to go off on a brief tangent. Iraina Mancini is a great broadcaster, D.J. and music reporter/journalist. She is a fantastic artist, but she is also a model. Mancini has acted too, but she seems like someone who should star in a drama or short film. Someone primed for the spotlight. I have various ideas but, as someone who has very little money and resources, there is not a lot I can do! She has this star quality and multi-talented nature that I can see translating to the small and big screen. A phenomenal actor in the offing. Also, I would love to hear playlists and soundtrack albums where she collates her favourite songs (I can find this one from a few years back); a bit of a YouTube video where we see inside her vinyl create/box (apologies if there is one already!). As an artist, Iraina Mancini is primed for big stages and festivals. I think that her work as a D.J. and huge music fan feeds into her own work. Her videos are always memorable and have their own worlds. So visually stunning and captivating, Undo the Blue is the latest example. Kudos to director Marc Swadel! Before rounding off, Right Chord Music gave their thoughts about my favourite track of this year:

“It’s easy to get swept up in the future, it’s bright, shiny and exciting. But for all the gloss and glamour it can also feel a little scary at times.  Sometimes there is nothing better than looking back, there is comfort and safety in what we know and have previously loved.

I get this feeling whenever I hear music from Iraina Mancini, her music transports me. And her new single Undo The Blue continues with this trend. It’s supported by a music video that immediately draws you in with its delicious retro stylings.

PHOTO CREDIT: Etienne Gilfillan 

I’d file it alongside music videos like Blondie’s ‘Heart of Glass’ or The Strokes ‘Last Nite’, where the colour balance feels wonderfully wonky to the point that you can’t take your eyes off it.

Undo The Blue has a softer, more reflective feel than previous releases. At moments it recalls Felt Mountain era Goldfrapp. The single provides the perfect showcase for Iraina’s vocal range as she soars above sweeping strings and lush brass.

Undo The Blues sees Iraina continue to collaborate with producer Jagz Kooner (Sabres Of Paradise, Primal Scream) and introduces a new alliance with multi-instrumentalists Sunglasses for Jaws.

The single is a dreamy soundscape inspired by the pastoral and psychedelic soul from the mid-’70s with a gentle nod to bands like Rotary Connection and Aphrodite’s Child: orchestral and cinematic but with a modern twist.

Iraina Mancini says of the single:

“ I wrote this song about reinvention and fresh starts. Leaving the bad behind and seeing a bright shiny new you. “

The music video was directed by the award-winning Marc Swadel (Thurston Moore and Duran Duran). Filmed at Glass Factory Studio in Leigh on Sea it references the golden age of studio performances from the late 60s and early 70s.

About Iraina Mancini

Iraina Mancini first appeared on our radar during lockdown when her single ‘Shotgun’ has us dreaming of escapism. This was quickly followed by the joyous romp which was ‘Deep End’ and ‘Do It’ (You Stole The Rhythm) which we described as a post-lock-down reconnection anthem for music lovers everywhere.

It wasn’t just us that was paying attention. Her previous three singles have all been playlisted by BBC6 Music and picked up strong support from BBC Radio 2 and BBC London.

Iraina has been championed by Lauren Laverne and Jo Whiley as well as hotly tipped in The Times and Sunday Times “The Best New Music” section.

Iraina is also an in-demand DJ and hosts her own show on Soho Radio. During the lockdown, Iraina focussed on writing and producing music and promoting it on her own. Without any management, radio pluggers or PR support, she achieved the impossible of being playlisted by BBC6 Music”.

I hope that the wonderful Iraina Mancini has plans for an album. Her songs have this magic and nostalgia that reminds one of better days and classic sounds. You get something cinematic and staggeringly beautiful! There is a physicality and drama that entwines with elements, colours and tones that are sensuous and  dreamy. A wonderful vocalist and writer, Iraina Mancini should be on everyone’s radars. Her 2020 release, 1AM in Paris / The War, is wonderful. I love everything she does and, as I know her radio work and have seen and heard her interviews, I feel confident in predicting very big things. This year, like every recent year, new music has been dominated by women. My favourite albums of the year are from women. 2022 is no different. So many amazing and original artists are offering something irresistible and incredible. Undo the Blue is a song that moved me the first time I heard it. I had to play it over and over, as it is so atmospheric and engaging. You get sucked into song! Thanks to Jagz Kooner’s production and Iraina Mancini’s wonderful performance, Undo the Blue will stay in your head for ages. It bodes well for an artist who grows stronger with every song she puts out. Maybe a song will come along this year that I favour over the head-spinning and soul-nourishing Undo the Blue. But, quite frankly, I seriously…

DON’T think it will.

Sam Liddicott