Review: Mantango

Mantango’s remastered The Great Void feels less like a look back and more like a timely rediscovery—proof that strong songwriting doesn’t age, it just waits for the right moment to shine again. This refreshed version breathes new life into an already impressive EP, allowing its emotion, ambition and subtle brilliance to fully stretch out.

Opener The Key sets the tone immediately, rolling in on a beautifully rhythmic, chugging riff before lifting the song with an unexpected surge of energy. The vocal inspires as much as it haunts, tinged with emotion that grows as the track unfolds. There’s a maturity to the writing here—layers and ideas woven together in a way that keeps pulling you forward. A soaring, contemporary guitar solo adds real lift before the track drops into almost Viking-like chanting, giving the song space to breathe. It’s a bold move, and it works perfectly as an outro.

Complete follows with a stunning interplay between vocal and piano, delicately balanced before drums and guitars crash in to give the song weight and motion. The vocal soars against an almost epic backdrop, carrying shades of 3 Colours Red, early Feeder and a hint of Radiohead—yet never losing Mantango’s identity. The use of silence and space here is exceptional, steering well clear of the usual quiet/loud formula. The piano-led approach is brave and effective, and a surprising shift into subtle 80s hard-rock territory midway through adds another layer of intrigue. The chorus is huge and instantly memorable.

What Have I Become? opens with a vocal-and-guitar combination that modern U2 would envy. Once again, space is used masterfully—allowing the song to feel expansive without overcrowding it. The production choices here are bold but tasteful, rounding the track out beautifully. The minimalist, walking-pace guitar solo at the end is a highlight in itself: understated, emotional and genuinely moving.

No Way bursts in with an uplifting energy before dropping into a verse packed with clever ideas and unexpected turns. It builds relentlessly toward a massive chorus with a vocal hook that refuses to leave your head. The outro balances chaos and beauty in equal measure, making this one of the EP’s standout moments.

The EP closes with In The Air, a reflective, laid-back track that slowly grows in scale. Layer upon layer builds with patience and purpose, expanding until it fills the room before gently ebbing away like a half-remembered dream. It’s a stunning, emotional finale.

This remaster reminds us just how special The Great Void really is—timeless songwriting, fearless arrangements and emotion in every note.