INTERVIEW: New EP from MANNERS

MANNERS is a UK-based alternative pop artist whose music draws directly from real experience; chaotic relationships, mental health strife, the shifting ground of growing through both. There’s no distance between the subject and the sound, everything folds in to create songs delivered with an understanding that doesn’t soften itself for comfort and over the last eight years, she’s been forging her original and highly compelling musical vision.

Taking cues from influences like Billie Eilish, UPSAHL and MOTHICA, MANNERS has developed a sound that stands at the crossroads between pop, rock and electronic stylings while leaning into themes of heartbreak, empowerment and the cycles that sit in the overlap of the two. That process has been shaped in close collaboration with producer and friend GIGSY, a long-term creative partner whose presence ripples throughout her catalogue.

Following a string of singles, her debut EP MALFUNCTIONING MACHINE was penned years before its eventual release in 2023, landing with a weight that hadn’t diminished over time. The response was immediate enough to signal its reach, thousands of streams, a sold-out launch show and a slot opening the Truck Festival 2024 BBC Introducing stage. Rather than leaving it there, she expanded the project further with MALFUNCTIONING MACHINE: REBOOTED, inviting independent collaborators to reshape and reframe the original material.

Now, her latest EP titled Not My First, Not My Last, was released around Valentine’s Day to deliberately sidestep the expectations tied to that timing. This isn’t a record about romance as something idealised or resolved, it frames love as something more physical, more demanding, distilling the cycle of losing yourself in it, recognising the pattern, and finding a way back out.

Produced again with GIGSY, the release kicks off opening track, “Twisted,” a track that thematically revolves around the ups and downs of romance, captured in a moody alternative pop soundscape. With a minimalist intro, hazy instrumental elements and crisp percussion underpins MANNERS’ angsty vocals to form a catchy jam that rolls with both swagger and grooving rhythm throughout.

“In The Zone” shifts into a bouncy scene where pulsing bass lines and the zap of spacey synth leads are met by MANNERS’ expressive vocal performance. Flowing through moments of stripped-back, dreamy sonic bliss and passages of rap-tinged alternative pop, it’s a colourful and instantly memorable outing. “Been Here Before” trips into a dark pop sphere where brooding vocals and pulsing percussion develops with stabby synth elements and charging drums, resulting in an engrossing track full of twists and turns.

The closing track, “IDEC,” moves in a different direction again, drawing on an unapologetic 80s influence. High energy and immediate in its hooks, it offers a bright synth pop experience full of danceable energy, infectious vocal leads and euphoric aesthetic, concluding the EP with a stunning moment that’s impossible not to love. Not My First, Not My Last isn’t closing a chapter so much as acknowledging one and it recognises the patterns, the repetition, the familiarity of certain emotional cycles, while still leaving space for what comes next. In that way, it feels aligned with everything MANNERS has built so far, offering music to sit with it long enough for something honest to emerge.

We caught up with MANNERS to find out more about her musical journey so far, her new EP Not My First, Not My Last and what she’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with MANNERS below.

Hey MANNERS, how’s things?

Things are going, that’s for sure!

What’s your earliest memory of making music?

I vividly remember writing silly little Atomic Kitten style songs when I was a kid, about the seemingly crushing love I had for a boy in my class at the age of 8… I can’t say much has changed since then!

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

I’d say some of the most obvious inspirations I have are the likes of Billie Eilish, UPSAHL, Lola Young and Halsey, but I’ve found inspiration in so many artists over the years, from many different genres and eras, it’s a bit eclectic when all combined!

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

Most of my music is based on my life, mental health and fairly tragic love life.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

My friends have said they find my music good for running, which I have taken as high praise! I personally find it helpful to listen to when I want to focus on something and drown the world out for a bit, especially cleaning/tidying.

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I’ve definitely let myself experiment a bit more in recent years, in terms of the way I write and how I want my music to sound. I think this EP is quite experimental for me in that sense. There are some themes and sounds on there that I didn’t think I’d ever have the courage to touch before really.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

Oh gosh, what a question! If I had to give one name, I would LOVE to work with Billie Eilish, but there are SO many others that I would be honoured to work with; UPSAHL, Etta Bond, Ashnikko, RAYE, Sabrina Carpenter, Lily Allen, Charli XCX, blackbear… just to name a few!

How did you find making your new EP ‘Not My First, Not My Last’?

The making of ‘Not My First, Not My Last’ felt very different to my previous projects. I just allowed myself to write about whatever I wanted to write about at that moment, rather than moulding it all around a certain theme/concept like with my last EP, ‘MALFUNCTIONING MACHINE’. Besides IDEC (which was written in 2018), I wrote this EP within a year, which is five times faster than the last EP. The songs on NMFNML are more of a stream of consciousness, less polished and more like time capsules of my headspaces at the time of writing them.

What message did you want to get across with this release?

I’m not sure it’s as much a ‘message’ that I wanted to get across as it is a ‘journey’. I wanted to make an EP that encapsulates the highs and lows of falling in and out of love. From sneaking around, getting giddy at the thought of seeing them, to realising it’s not all as peachy as you thought, and eventually letting go and moving on. That’s where my head was at during the writing process and I aimed to reflect that in a relatable way, because those feelings aren’t unique to me!

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

Honestly, I’ve had Lily Allen’s West End Girl album on repeat since it came out, it’s just SO good! I’ve also recently jumped back into the Hamilton soundtrack, some 2000s bangers, and all of Don Broco’s discography, just to mix it up! Oh, and RAYE’s new album is a MASTERPIECE!

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

Catharsis.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

Playing the ‘Not My First, Not My Last’ EP Listening Party at my local was an absolute blast. I don’t think anything can top the feeling of being surrounded by your loved ones supporting you presenting your art to them, especially when they’ve all been so invested in the process of you writing and releasing it. I’m lucky to have some solid people that show up for me!

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

Don Broco, 100%. They’re my favourite band, I’ve probably seen them live around 20 times now. They’re just so much fun! Sabrina Carpenter and Jessie J would probably be my other picks… Sabrina because I really want to see her live, and Jessie J because I used to be a superfan and it’d just be glorious to see her headline a festival again. Location wise, it could be anywhere. If a festival ever had those 3 headliners, I would get there, no matter the cost!

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

Don’t do that!!! No, I kid, I guess “just do it” is the best advice I can give. It’s not embarrassing to follow your dreams, and people will generally be so much more supportive than you initially think! If you’re anything like me, you’re your biggest critic, while everyone else just wants you to succeed, so stop putting yourself down and do what you’ve gotta do! Also, don’t listen to horrible people on the internet.

Finally, what do you have lined up next?

I’m planning to release a pretty personal single this year, probably the most honest song I’ve ever written. I’m excited to be recording it soon, and hope that once it’s out it’ll resonate with people.

Listen to Not My First, Not My Last below