MJ Lenderman – Manning Fireworks

Manning Fireworks, released in September 2024, marks another luminous chapter in MJ Lenderman’s growing solo oeuvre. The album is rooted in a blend of alt-country, slacker rock, and Americana, with Lenderman performing most of the instrumentation himself and keeping arrangements intentionally sparse and expressive. The record’s strength lies in its lyrical character portraits—lonely, self-effacing, and wry—with melodies that feel unhurried yet emotionally immediate. Recorded at Drop of Sun Studios in Asheville and co-produced with Alex Farrar, it further refines the aesthetic Lenderman explored on *Boat Songs* while broadening its emotional palette. The album’s context within the current wave of indie rock allows Lenderman to stand out as a songwriter unafraid of humor, heartbreak, and everyday absurdity.

Standout songs such as “Wristwatch,” “She’s Leaving You,” and “Bark at the Moon” traverse themes of regret, longing, and self-conscious absurdity, often punctuated by quiet guitar details or occasional distorted climaxes. Lenderman’s voice alternately whispers and cracks, conveying both intimacy and brittleness. The use of occasional guest vocals, pedal steel, and fiddle adds soft colors without overwhelming the singular voice at the core. Over the years, *Manning Fireworks* is likely to be seen as a key turning point in his career—an album that balances eccentricity with relatability, and cements Lenderman as a major figure in the intersection of indie rock and modern Americana.

Reviews

"MJ Lenderman isn't Neil Young and doesn't need to be -- Manning Fireworks is his own fusion of the contemplation of Harvest and the release of Zuma, and it's a small triumph of noisy roots rock." – AllMusic

“It’s so great to hear Lenderman find his voice, this hangdog underachiever slowly telling a joke whose every punchline is missin’, leavin’, or lovin’ you. Like the writing on Manning Fireworks, Lenderman’s guitar playing is simple and understated: The riffs are slow-rolled and the solos are short and sweet.” – Pitchfork

“Manning Fireworks is indeed something of a solitary affair: Lenderman performed most of the album himself, centering his rusty nail guitar work and laidback drawl … You can’t blame Lenderman for enjoying his own company if the alternative is spending time with the drunks, letches, and losers who populate these songs.” – Slant Magazine

“MJ Lenderman’s new album Manning Fireworks is a special record that finds the budding songwriter at his twangiest and most emotional.” – Consequence