“Alt rock for the emerging adult” is how Jack Manley describes his music on his Instagram, and it couldn’t ring truer on his latest single “Wind in a Kite.” The single captures an uneasy mix of growth, nostalgia and self-doubt through his lyricism and moody vocals. His style is characterised by heavy distortion and compression, creating a gritty, indie rock sound.
The production is built on shimmering guitars and a restless beat that has similarities to the work of The Strokes and Deerhunter.
“Everything’s right, but I feel empty,” is a lyric that Manley repeats throughout, which creates a sense of bittersweet clarity about the struggle of moving through everyday life when everything appears to be fine on the surface.
Manley’s story gives the lyrics extra weight. Having survived a battle with addiction, he channels that same darkness into resilience. Speaking on the track, Manley says,
“It’s the moment when the party’s over, the friends are gone, and the only people left are the ones who actually loved you all along.”
And the video brings these feelings to life. The visuals use blurred light, nostalgic memories, and movement that feels both freeing and uncertain. “Wind in a Kite” suggests that Manley is rebuilding his path, through turning emotional pain into art.
