The Manhattan Syndrome

The Manhattan Syndrome do not mislead potential listeners with the title of their striking debut EP And we left it behind. As the name suggests it is dripping with lament and suggestions of melancholy. With this impressive debut offering, the band show that it is possible to move any music fan with just four hard-hitting and emotional tracks.

Perhaps the most grabbing of all songs on the EP is the delicious “Hollowheads”, in which the alluring vocals bemoan a lost and seemingly hopeless love backed up by thumping and ardent drums. It is clear from this one track that the band behold an immense talent and seriousness about their music, that is lacking among many Irish bands. They are a stripped down version of many other unsigned Dublin acts, baring an emphatic resemblance to The National, right down to the deep and contemplative vocals over each track. Despite the obvious tones of regret, there is a certain warmth within this band’s music, stemming from the honesty and naturalness of lyrics. This most obviously shines through in “Cold Company”, a beautiful track with the potential of becoming a hit. The upbeat piano is cleverly contrasted to the sentimental lyrics, the ingredients of a radio friendly song.

While not entirely alternative, or indeed uplifting, the EP is moving, thought-provoking and a perfect example of the talent that is brewing in Ireland’s underground music scene. Easy to listen to, and even easier to love, it would be unsurprising if The Manhattan Syndrome experienced growing success over the next two or three years.
- GoldenPlec.com

The Manhattan Syndrome are special. From the opening strains of the first song on their debut EP, you sense this is something that you can connect with, something you can feel. And We Left It Behind is said EP and pays considerable homage to The National. The Manhattan Syndrome are based in Dublin and despite having just four recorded songs to their name, they manage to entice. Opener ‘Cold Company’ builds to a rousing fists-in-the-air outro. There is a restraint that flows throughout the four songs, most noticeably on ‘Carnival’, which leaves its impact through some “oh oh ohs”. “To watch you grow old when the others have gone,” goes the self-titled track, encapsulating more emotion in a single line than 1,000 bands before them. Closer ‘Hollowheads’ does not mess with a winning formula, but it does add some synth, a prerequisite for any new band it seems. It doesn’t distract too much from the song, but it does seem unnecessary; you wouldn’t see The National using it. And We Left It will leave you stretching for the repeat button as well as a box of tissues. - The Point Of Everything Music Blog

This band is another definitive recommendation for anyone slightly interested in harmonic pop music. The band combines drum, synthesizer, piano & guitar sounds with the memorable voice of the lead singer, interwoven by subtle, instrumental passages, which are as outstanding as the main parts of these songs. The fourth song "Hollowheads" and especially the third song "The Manhattan Syndrome" are probably among the most beautiful songs I've heard this year. With their superb instrumentation they set the stage for haunting tales of love and loss that "will stay with you until they dry". On top of three rather melancholic songs they also show with "Carnival" that they are perfectly able to create songs that stray from their usual perfectly harmonic formula, which is quite refreshing regarding the arrangement of the tracks on this EP. Whatever they set out to accomplish before they recorded "And we left it behind", I can't help but imagining that not even the band members themselves could have envisioned creating something as masterfully, organic and mesmerizing before. I really hope that this is not the last we'll hear from The Manhattan Syndrome.


Score: 5/5 - Wasfuersohr

The Manhattan Syndrome’s thoughtful and poignant lyrics wrestle with the feelings of isolation and alienation, lending even more of an ethereal feel to their alternative, post, pop rock music. The Dublin band consists of Anna Murray (synth, piano, laptop, keyboards), Evan Heneghan (main vocals, acoustic guitar), Jamie McHugh (piano, keyboard, bass, acoustic guitar), Pearse Healy (electric guitar, bass) and Sean Hughes (drums, acoustic bass). Tracks like “Cold Company” recall something of early Counting Crows and Leonard Cohen (whom Heneghan is clearly influenced by). All in all, this combination of musical, lyrical and vocal styles gels to create something special and almost other-worldly. Check out their site to download a free copy of their EP “And We Left it Behind.” - College News