Hear the Manvils' Deeply Personal New Album 'Reaction Arrow'

The record "speaks to the universal nature of grieving — from the agony of loss to the heroism of survival"

BY Exclaim! StaffPublished Jun 26, 2020

Long-running Canadian indie unit the Manvils are back with a new album. Called Reaction Arrow, the record stands as the third proper full-length from Mikey Manville and co., and you can hear it now.

As the band explain, Reaction Arrow comes from a very personal place:

The album was written and dedicated to the loss of several family members in unimaginably quick succession after the band relocated [from Vancouver] to Toronto in 2011. The emotive energy throughout Reaction Arrow is bonded, quite literally, with the initials of beloved family members, as well as Sandbag Records founder, the late Richard Eusebio, memorialized in an engraving on the vinyl's edge. 

The album was produced by John Akred, with the Manvils slowly recording the album over a three-year period in Redwood City, CA, at his secluded Melody Hunting Lodge. Additional material was produced and recorded in Toronto by Lorne Hounsell and Stephan Di Mambro. 

Further explaining their latest full-length, the Manvils add:


Reaction Arrow's deeply personal storyline is contrasted by fuzzed-out, sonic thunder that echoes the unprecedented era we've entered globally. An album that, at its core, speaks to the universal nature of grieving — from the agony of loss to the heroism of survival. In between are revelations on life's highs and lows, all guided by a conviction that does not waver. 

You can take in all of Reaction Arrow below.

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