Note: Patreon supporters received access to this review on August 5th, 2024.

Don’t sleep on this latest solo project from Les. It came out on April 5th this year, and Les has already followed it up with a project called REAL GRAPS by his group, SIQ KLIQ. I am planning on checking that project out, but I wanted to make sure I gave this Mania Man project the attention it deserves as well. This was my first time hearing Les’ music, so I didn’t really have any expectations going into it. I ended up really enjoying it though, so I decided that I needed to tell y’all about it.

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Since this isn’t really a full review I’ll just be writing about a few of my favorite tracks from the album. It begins with Finish the Story, which features Reed Starks & Lil Derik. The production is handled by Oldsouly. That’s the first thing that really stood out to me about this track. The soulful instrumental here is spectacular. This was a fantastic way to start the project off; it really sucked me in. Les sounds great on this beat too. His vocal delivery kinda reminded me of H from T H R O N E at first, but then as I got further into the album I realized he sounds more like Nyck Caution.

I gotta finish the story 'cause I ain't gettin' younger
This hunger got me wanting more, I start and sit and wonder
I get up and start dashing when I see this mirror
The stardust keeps falling as I alleviate
This pain in my heart, I tear my pec' and watch the world move
Stuck inside this whirlpool of feelings that will hurt you
Tellin' me that patience is a virtue
Everybody else is living dreams that was meant for you

Since this was my introduction to all of these artists, I don’t really know their voices. Because of this, I can’t tell you who that is on the second verse. Whoever it was killed it though. I really loved their voice and flow. They sounded really good. The final verse wasn’t as great, but I still enjoyed it to some extent. The flow just sounded a little sloppy. The song’s fire overall though. It’s definitely one of my favorites on the project. I think it’s dope as hell. The penultimate track is called Playa Hater of the Year, and it’s definitely a highlight for me. The beat here is amazing. The closest comparison I can make is August Fanon‘s beat on Undefeated by Sleep Sinatra. This beat here honestly sounds much more polished though. It’s a gorgeous loop. Les’ writing on this track is actually really great too. Something about his performance just feels very spiritual. This whole album in general just sounds like willpower and dedication in the form of music, and this track epitomizes it well.

Young men and women, I know you hearing me
I know this place outside can seem scary, the
Lines you read between might reveal more
But the rarity of lightning striking twice on the same floor
Is never, especially when the clouds are getting dark
And the rain pours like a day inside the end of March
We go to war for what? We all dyin' now
The poor become rich, the rich become poor

The lyrical content throughout this entire project is very “I am on a journey to fulfill my destiny!!!!!!!!!!” It’s well done though. I can see how certain listeners may find it cheesy, but I enjoyed it a lot despite how vague it felt at times. This song is dope as hell. The closing track is one last highlight called Let Me In (Wyatt 6). This is easily the best song on the album to me. The production from Oldsouly is really stellar, and Les’ lyricism was great here as well.

My funny feelings intertwine with all my inhibitions
But like the pen, it's signaling the end of all my sinning
My passion tainted by the shades that's tinted black
And I can't fill this cup with liquor anymore, it's breakin' down my system

The verse here is fantastic. I don’t really think this song works perfectly as an outro, at least sonically. The way it ends feels a little abrupt. It doesn’t wrap things up super neatly, which kinda leads to the project feeling more like a collection of songs than a cohesive album. That’s a nitpick though. The song’s still fire.

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^{This album is great. I’m glad I finally checked it out, and I’m excited to listen to the new SIQ KLIQ album too now. Like I said, this was my introduction to Les’ music, and I’d say it worked pretty well as an entry point. There isn’t a single track that I don’t like on this project, so it was definitely a success. None of the features were bad. In fact, nothing about this album was bad at all. There were some familiar samples, which made for some beats that were less exciting than others, and like I said the lyricism felt a bit general at times, but overall I really enjoyed this one. It certainly helps that the production was so great for the most part. Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments. I think it’s dope.}

Favorite Song: Let Me In (Wyatt 6)
Least Favorite Song: Mania Man

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