Johnny Manuel, a queer music artist, powerhouse singer, and gifted songwriter, recently released his newest single and music video, “Molotov.” Manuel’s sound can be described as “swirling R&B melodies and massive vocals mixed with dance beats that fill any dancefloor.” The single was written by Jonny Manuel, Aidan Laprete, and Mischa Mandel and is an ode to letting go of negativity from the past and welcoming new beginnings. Also produced by Lapete, the single is part of Manuel’s new EP Blue, which will be available to stream on all platforms on October 13.
Manuel says “Molotov” is “about rebuilding after you’ve burned it all to ashes. However, that looks and feels for you. It’s about building a new life, a new mode of thinking, a new career, a new business, and a new relationship with yourself. It’s about ridding yourself of the negativity and rebuilding yourself anew. I had to burn down my past trauma, and the doubt and pain other people had created in me throughout the years. I had to burn down all my past resentments, frustrations, and disappointments before I could start constructing this new version of myself.”
Directed by Atypical Beings, the music video portrays a sleek black-and-white aesthetic that compliments Manuel’s fashionable appearance. Along with singing the lyrics, Manuel also incorporates dance into the video adding to the meaning behind “Molotov”. The visuals are also a very notable part as they create a glitching and distorted effect to Manuel himself and the background almost as if you were watching it on an old TV. The lyrics to the song can be seen flashing on the screen as Manuel sings and create a simple yet eye-catching and bold appearance adding to the aesthetic of the overall video.
Creatively, Manuel states that “sonically the directive was ‘celebratory yet aggressive.’ For me, the duality was essential, in order to match the emotion of the lyrical content, and Aidan (Laprete), as always, made it exactly what it needed to be. I think ultimately the live instruments really drove the point home, which was added later in the creative process at the suggestion of my creative team. I am endlessly proud of ‘Molotov’ and I’m so happy to have it out in the world.”
Follow Johnny on social media to stay updated with his new EP, and listen to his new hit single “Molotov” here!
