Gary Dranow and the Manic Emotions led by former athlete and musician Gary Dranow is truly a music project that is unchained by the boundaries of genre. Every track they have released so far takes a different musical direction while sprinkling itself with hints of blues and rock N roll. The Utah based band has been releasing music since 2023 and their new single “Mellow Drama (Remix)” is an energetic rock track.

The strings open the song with an extremely well written chord progression and catchy riff, making for a jovial, buoyant and cheerful beginning, while the strings in the background add elements of funk making the track that much more upbeat. Gary Dranow gives a strong and rough vocal performance throughout. The percussion is simple yet heavy and impactful and the guitar solo that end the track is an absolute banger.

“Mellow Drama – remix” evades conventional song structure which usually uses tools like repetition that help a listener process the track and experiments with a flow that goes on without too many breaks in between. While this trial is creative and welcome, the absence of a chorus and a pre-chorus written in a manner that does not stick hinders the track from reaching its full potential. The instruments end up carrying the track as opposed to the writing.

It is refreshing to witness Gary Dranow explore lyrical themes about friendship, drama and the obstacles that one faces in platonic relationships. The track is about boundaries and what one is willing to and not willing to tolerate in a friendship. Both lyrically and sonically, I look forward to seeing where Gary Dranow will take us next!