Dan Mangan - Roboteering EP

By: Karolina Rous

Dan Mangan
Roboteering EP

(FU:M)

SOUNDS LIKE: A slightly rough-at-the-edges troubadour, singing true with a golden heart and an earnest charm.

WHY/WHY NOT: Nature isn't perfect – and it's not supposed to be; that's what makes it so beautiful. A voice isn't perfect – and it's not supposed to be; that's what makes it so engaging. And indeed that imperfection – that slight scratch and roughness in Dan Mangan's voice – is what makes him so appealing. Don't think so? Imagine Leonard Cohen's voice altered in any way. Why, it would break your heart to hear it! Not that Mr. Mangan is of this variety (but who is?), but his appeal on the Roboteering EP is quite clear. The presence of charm is quite evident, with tracks like "Robots" (yes, robots need love too, but Humans United Against Robots would beg to differ, sir), and certainly the lullaby "The Indie Queens Are Waiting" is a delight (complimented well by the voice of Veda Hille). But where Mangan truly captures one's attention is on the distorted clap-along song "Til I Fall", which sets the best angles of his imperfect voice to rights. If Roboteering EP is to prove a compass to Mangan's future full LP release, it's safe to say there's more to be uncovered and enjoyed from this young man.