• Clean sound design
• Trance-inspired buildups create dark, ethereal tension
• Powerful bassline progression
Today I want to talk about “Solus”, a very interesting Mainstage Techno release from Mannie Sapra. This talented producer from Rotterdam has already built a solid foundation with a volcanic Guest Mix for Laidback Luke’s Mixmash Records, following a third place finish in the “Waiting For U” remix competition. Add to that a great bootleg of Travis Scott’s “Goosebumps” that really sets the mood before diving into “Solus”. Laidback Luke has a history of finding interesting talents, and this is surely a good sign.
So, why do I like his music? Mannie Sapra has a very powerful style, straight and without frills: solid Mainstage Techno vibes with little space left to imagination. His sound slaps, and you deal with it.
“Solus”, indeed, impressed me from the first bars. It begins with a Trance-ish buildup, then the bass hits. And it hits hard. I loved the energy of the tune, the way it added stamina the more we progressed, with that bouncy vibe that adds dynamism.
The instrumental continues with another breakdown that is Trance-inspired, taking its time to build an eerie and dark tension. Ethereal, I would say. Then rhythm slowly grows, more and more, anticipating the final drop, which is the crown jewel of “Solus”: Mannie accumulated here all the weapons at his disposal, and the result is a club heater. The bassline is even more powerful than before, and the result is explosive.
Overall, I see potential here. The sound design is clean and solid, the melody catches the attention, and the overall vibe is engaging. I would have dared more in the breakdown, maybe a melodic sample or something to make “Solus” more soul-like, but I see a good future for Mannie Sapra and I definitely recommend this track for any high-energy Techno set.