Mantrakid: Dragon Lullabies

It’s been almost 4 years since mantrakid has dropped an album.

His debut 2008 piece ‘palmflowerblack‘ put his abilities on full display, illustrating his range both as a producer and a lyricist. the release of ‘palmflowerblack‘ unintentionally lined up with his departure from his home town of Calgary, AB to Vancouver Island, BC where he literally began a new life with his wife and their island-born son.

Through the years that followed, as mantrakid became distanced from the scene he grew up in, he began this piece of music as simply a way to pour out his abstract musical thoughts as they occurred. The organic nature of the samples layered with live instrumentation and thick smokey experimentation grew from his introspection and analysis of his new role as a father; filtered through a lens of near-hurricane winds, expansive winding forest trails and hidden beach spots. Through an almost entirely instrumental album, mantrakid floats along with wispy backdrop vocal melodies and is joined on heavenly occasion by the ethereally pristine voice of Bee (Calgary).

With a combined timeless style unto itself, Dragon Lullabies seems to capture the best elements of a Portishead beat, lace it with DJ Shadow ambiance, and drop what could be a Beck vocal on top.

In addition to 100% free streaming of the full album + a high quality digital download ($3), there is also a cardboard wallet CD complete with liner notes available ($9), as well as a limited edition collectible (only 50 copies signed and numbered) package featuring a copy of the wallet CD + a Wooden USB key laser engraved with the album art accompanied by a mini hardcover booklet of photography taken during the production of the album, plus some additional secret goodies all housed in a tiny metal tin ($36).

Available now — go soak it up.