At the very end of July, Manchester producer and rapper Abnormal Sleepz released his latest album ‘The Meditape III’ – and we’ve pretty much had it on repeat all month.
So, it was only fair we crowned it The Manc Audio ‘Album of the Month’ for August.
If you’re familiar with Abnormal Sleepz, you’ll know that he’s all about honest, introspective and contemplative lyrics.
His music is a refined blend of soul, hip-hop and rap which produces a laid-back, easy-listening soundscape which compliments a multitude of moods.
And as Sleepz has become more versed in his craft and more experienced as an artist, he’s fast-become an integral part of the urban music scene in Manchester.
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Armed with a clear vision for his music, he set out on the release of his first solo series of mixtapes ‘The Meditape’, based on the ‘Ten Perfections’ that are practised in Buddhist culture.
Above anything, the project’s experiment concept is testament to Sleepz’ fresh approach to music making. And this latest album, ‘The Meditape III’ is the third instalment to the mixtape series.
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The album is the third in the Meditape triology. Artwork by Only One Mono.
The Manc Audio caught up with Abnormal Sleepz to learn more about this intriguing project.
“The Meditape mixtapes are really about a sound being a metaphor for how I identify with myself and the person I want to become through my growth in life and music,” said Sleepz. “They each stood for different times of my life, all a few years apart.”
So, as number three in the series, we wanted to know how this one differs from its predecessors.
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“It differs in a way that this is the first Meditape I have included my own production on,” said Sleepz. “The growth, quality and flow of this one makes it its own. It has feels of the earlier tapes with a newer sound – it’s a lot more mature now.”
“‘The Meditape III’ is all about easy-on-the-ear vibes. It isn’t supposed to be too serious, and is more of a vibe to allow myself and others to just get on through life whilst being present.
“The importance of now is a big thing these days. But the main thing was growth, where I was to where I am, and how life experiences and my relationship with spirituality have helped me get to this point.”
He recently performed alongside Misha B at Manchester International Festival with Big People Music. Image: @abnormal.sleepz/IG
On listening to the album, you’ll spot that Sleepz is a big fan of collaborating.
So, you might recognise the voices of some fellow Manchester artists throughout the mixtape. For example, features from [ K S R ] on the track ‘Down Down’, with Francesca on ‘Saturday Story’ and with HMD on ‘Running’.
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“Collaborating always allows me space to think and do more,” he said. “More brains are greater than just one sometimes. So, to be able to connect and have these people on my journey in different ways was a blessing.
“I work with people I’m a fan of regardless of their status and how known they are.”
We’d be hard pressed to pick a favourite song.
But stand-out tracks include ‘Lem & Ginger’ – a deeper insight into the usual Abnormal Sleepz productions – as well as the more upbeat ‘Not Today Satan’ which is on a total different vibe.
But both highlight the peaks and troughs that make up the journey on this album.
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Abnormal Sleepz blends his hip-hop and soul influences to create a refined sound of his own.
Sleepz admits this is actually the second version of the album, after scrapping the first. He’d been working on the first version for about a year before deciding to reinvent it into what it is now.
Whilst this might have added a couple of months to the production time, it proves Sleepz’ attentive and committed approach to producing the best possible work – and that you can’t argue with.
So, with the success of the Meditape trilogy, we’re keen to know what Sleepz is working on next. The answer: lots.
“I’m looking to provide a few more visuals, feature releases and productions. “I’d like to spend time pushing the tape and getting on as many stages as possible. The creative process never stops. So, of course, more music will be made for the next rodeo.”
Listen to Meditape III here and follow The Manc Audio for your Manchester music content.
Featured image: Abnormal Sleepz
Audio
Wolf Alice announce massive Manchester gig as part of new European tour
Danny Jones
Get ready to lose your marbles, Manchester, because Wolf Alice aren’t just back with more music and a brand new but they’re playing a massive show right here in the city centre.
The beloved British alt and indie rock outfit is one of the most talented groups of musicians to come out of the country in some time, earning countless nods for their debut LP and winning the Mercury Prize award for their sophomore outing back in 2018.
Now eyeing up album number four and having dropped a smash-hit first single, which has already been met with even more acclaim (why break the habit of a lifetime?), they’ve got us even more excited with the announcement of a huge headline date here at the AO Arena.
The Clearing for the amount of limbs in that standing section couldn’t be big enough.
Set to return to Yorkshire later this year as part of the touring cycle for their long-awaited studio comeback, The Clearing, the Wolf Alice Manchester gig is one of a select few UK arena dates confirmed, such as an equivalent over at Leeds’ first direct arena.
The four-piece, fronted by Ellie Roswell, will also be playing a handful of intimate domestic shows.
Due for release on August 29, 2025, we already know the next project is going to be another brilliant entry by the multi-BRIT and NME Award winners.
Written in their native district of Seven Sisters in North London and recorded in LA with Grammy-winning producer Greg Kurstin, the album is being branded a “bold, emotionally rich evolution of their sound.”
“It’s a record that radiates ambition, confidence, and an unfiltered sense of self—arguably their most cohesive and timeless work to date.”
Better still, to help support the grassroots venues that helped them while coming up, £1 of every ticket from this show and other domestic arena shows on the soon-to-be fully confirmed European tour will be donated to fundraising efforts.
What do you make of their new direction?
General admission tickets for Wolf Alice at AO Arena are available on Friday, 23 May from 10am.
It goes without saying that the demand for these things will be massive, so we’d get in that online queue as quickly as possible. The support act(s) haven’t even been revealed yet either.
You can also sort yourself out with exclusive early access by signing up for the AO pre-sale window on Wednesday, 21 May at 5pm; Three Mobile members will have an earlier opportunity also from 10am earlier the same day.
Get ready to grab your tickets for Friday, 28 November HERE.
Swinton’s FREE festival full of live music, food, and ‘family fun’ returns later this month
Emily Sergeant
A popular festival full of pop-up live music, performance, food, drink, and family fun is back in Swinton later this month.
Returning to the Salford town for the third year running at some of Swinton’s favourite venues and well-known locations, Swinton Sounds – which is a collaboration between Salford City Council and From The Other – is all about celebrating the local area and its vibrant community.
Throughout the weekend, local venues will welcome a lineup of Greater Manchester’s best musicians and DJs in a programme curated by the team behind the Sounds from the Other City festival.
Local venues including Swinton Grand Palais, The Swinton Hop House, and The Wobbly Stool, as well as Swinton Square, and the beautiful Victoria Park, are just some of the places residents can head to around town to catch all the action.
Swinton Sounds is back later this month / Credit: Salford City Council
Kicking off on Friday 30 May and running through to Sunday 1 June, Swinton Sounds will launch at the historic Grand Palais with a dancefloor-filling set from Untold Orchestra, with unique takes on dance songs from all the best decades, so expect disco, funk, soul, and lots of shuffle-inducing surprises.
Some of the other stand-out musical performances across the weekend come from the likes of Soul artist Yemi Bolatiwa, Ghana-born, Manchester-raised contemporary guitarist and composer Rory A. Green, and R&B, Gospel, and Neo Soul fusing singer-songwriter Kiké.
Away from the music, festivalgoers will also be able to catch a visually-striking performance piece from the UK’s leading makers and creators of outdoor arts, theatre, and spectacle in the public realm, Walk the Plank – inspired by the nesting birds found around the waterways of Salford.
Throughout the weekend, local venues will welcome a lineup of Greater Manchester’s best musicians / Credit: Supplied
Craft-based family fun will also be provided by Manchester’s Little Artists, while Swinton’s-own Arts Let Loose will be inviting kids to dance and create to music under UV lights.
Clay and craft workshops for the all the family will come courtesy of Clay Life, and Salford Mad Pride will be in town to promote creativity, arts, nature, and community connection for wellbeing, all while celebrating the unique talents of those who struggle with mental health.
If you’re feeling a bit peckish, Fratellis will be providing the pizza, and local bars, The Wobbly Stool and The Swinton Hop House will be running pop-up bars.
Further refreshments will be served from The Hive community hub.
There’ll also be lots of food and family-friendly entertainment over the three days / Credit: Supplied
“Swinton has plenty to celebrate, and has the potential to be one of the best places to live in Greater Manchester,” commented Councillor Jack Youd, who is the Deputy City Mayor at Salford City Council.
“Local people have told us they want to see a more vibrant Swinton, with more going on and more reasons for people to visit and spend their leisure time in the area, so this exciting weekend of activities is part of a programme of events developed in response to that community ambition, and it’s a great opportunity for people to explore the town and experience something new.”
Swinton Sounds will take over Swinton for three days at the end of this month from Friday 30 May – Sunday 1 June, and all events are free to take part in.
Hannah Starkie -
31st August 2021 
