Posted: by The Alt Editing Staff
Shoegaze fans can revel in the new Maneka single “yung yeller,” which taps into the teenage delusion of immortality. Devin McKnight (Speedy Ortiz, Grass Is Green) reflects on the famous tear-jerker Old Yeller, recalling the fictitious dog’s sacrifice for his beloved family: “He was a truly valiant pup…I found myself reflecting on times when I was being a brash little piece of shit in my teens or in my twenties when I was being reckless and could have died or changed my life in a major way for the worse.” McKnight reaffirms through his lyrics that there is no hero off the page, just the thrill of surviving your own bad ideas.
In the lyrical setting, however, the audience buckles up beside McKnight in his car while he speeds, two shots deep in his post-adolescent adventure, down memory lane. He confesses, “I thought that there was nothing that could hurt me / Felt the fun against my temple now let’s see.” Slowcore thrash meets sneaky, deep vocals, and the result is a sly, absurd reflection on luck, youth, and narrowly avoiding disaster.
“yung yeller” is the latest single off Maneka’s upcoming bathes and listens, out October 29th on Topshelf Records. It laughs at itself while reminding you that growing up mostly means living to tell the story.
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Mol White | @molemanmedia
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