There’s a certain rawness to music created in isolation, a vulnerability that becomes real when the work is the sole vision of one person. Vincent, who writes, records, and releases music under the name Manṣūr (not to be confused with this dark behemoth), captures this perfectly with his new single “Bright Future,” a song that wasn’t supposed to exist. It’s an anthem that treads a delicate line between aggression and reflection, another harbinger of his upcoming EP Seul Parmi Les Autres.
Based in Provence, France, Vincent’s heavy sound feels far removed from the idyllic landscapes surrounding him, yet there’s something fitting about his creative solitude. Working completely DIY, Vincent composed “Bright Future” in a single sitting, an effortless session that resulted in a track with a sonic energy far removed from its inception.
“When I first found the intro/chorus riff, I thought it sounded shoegazey,” Vincent says. That initial softness soon gave way to something much harder, blending influences from NOTHING to DEFTONES and even 36 CRAZYFISTS. It’s a soundscape that feels both familiar and fresh, a song that thrashes yet remains accessible.
The lyrics, born from a simple phrase that emerged during the writing process, add another layer of weight. “I swear to God, there is no love,” Vincent sings, a line that anchors the song’s exploration of emotional suffering. It’s a stark reminder that the people around us carry burdens we often can’t see. “Be nice to others,” he explains, “you don’t know what they’re going through, there’s a good chance they feel as bad as you do.”
Manṣūr’s upcoming EP, Seul Parmi Les Autres, serves as a teaser for what’s to come, with Vincent planning to drop a new track each month after its release in November, eventually forming a full-length album by the end of 2025. It’s a slow drip of creativity that mirrors the organic nature of his process.
While the music of Manṣūr carries a personal weight, Vincent remains deeply connected to his local scene in Southern France. He’s quick to champion the underground acts around him, from post-metal bands like YAROSTAN and MONTAGNE to the ambient sounds of L’ORCHIDÉE COSMIQUE. This ethos of DIY collaboration extends to the visuals as well—his dear friend Johrice, an artist from Marseille, has provided all of the artwork for the project.
For Vincent, there’s no rush. Each song, each release, is a piece of something larger, a slow unveiling of the work he’s spent years creating. And “Bright Future” is just the start, a moment of clarity amidst the chaos, where aggression meets reflection and the solitary becomes universal.
Manṣūr’s EP “Seul Parmi Les Autres” releases in November 2024. All artwork is created by Johrice.
Check out the previous singles from the EP below:
