Mannequin
Mannequin is bright, busy and unusually easy to enjoy for a record with this much going on. Kyros build it around large keyboard sounds, active bass lines and choruses that leave a clear impression. The progressive rock detail is everywhere, but it does not stop the album from having some straightforward pop fun.
The gentle Taste the Day is a slightly misleading welcome. Things properly get moving with Showtime, an instrumental driven by a lively rhythm section and playful keyboards. It sets up the album's main appeal: the musicians can turn a complicated section into something with a real bounce. Technical playing is part of the enjoyment here, rather than the whole argument for listening.
The strongest songs make that balance feel natural. Esoterica leans into a danceable groove while the keyboards keep adding detail. Liminal Space gives the record one of its clearest choruses, making it a good starting point for anyone who finds the longer arrangements intimidating. Shelby Logan Warne's voice helps hold these songs together, giving all the activity a recognisable centre.
The End in Mind pushes much harder at the boundaries. Its quick changes and crowded instrumental passages can be demanding, but there is enough melodic character to make the effort worthwhile. Have Hope takes a similar approach at the end of the album, moving between sweeter singing and more forceful playing without settling into a comfortable background role.
There are times when the constant activity gets in the way. The instrumental breaks in Illusions Inside interrupt some otherwise strong vocal writing, and the dense electronic sound can feel relentless. Anyone looking mainly for guitar riffs may also find the balance too heavily weighted towards keyboards. Those are real limits, even with the clear care in the production.
What makes Mannequin convincing is that its ambition usually leads somewhere memorable. Kyros have made a technical record with personality, movement and several very good tunes. The quieter entrance takes a little patience, but the songs beyond it offer plenty to get excited about.
