Jordan Meiller
@noplotr.bsky.social
Writer (https://certainofeventualfailure.com), musician (https://soundcloud.com/noplotr), photographer (the banner is one of mine), guy who yells about stuff online.
And I just remembered I was gonna run to the grocery store this morning so I guess that's it, bye.
Oh, um Bonus Track: Every Mega Mango song (pre-2025.)
Oh, um Bonus Track: Every Mega Mango song (pre-2025.)
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
And I just remembered I was gonna run to the grocery store this morning so I guess that's it, bye.
Oh, um Bonus Track: Every Mega Mango song (pre-2025.)
Oh, um Bonus Track: Every Mega Mango song (pre-2025.)
Conclusion: I mean, right? So good. This is from 2023 and he's only put out one demo since (that same year), so I dunno if we're gonna get anything else from him, but hopefully.
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Conclusion: I mean, right? So good. This is from 2023 and he's only put out one demo since (that same year), so I dunno if we're gonna get anything else from him, but hopefully.
Track 1: I mean the satire is fucking Damascus sharp. Also I really like his voice.
samdstone.bandcamp.com/track/call-a...
samdstone.bandcamp.com/track/call-a...
Call ACab, by Sam Stone
track by Sam Stone
samdstone.bandcamp.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Track 1: I mean the satire is fucking Damascus sharp. Also I really like his voice.
samdstone.bandcamp.com/track/call-a...
samdstone.bandcamp.com/track/call-a...
Next we're gonna have a song from Sam Stone (who I don't think I'd ever heard of before, judging from his Bandcamp he's pretty new) that I heard on Welcome to Night Vale and had to buy immediately. I think you'll understand why.
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Next we're gonna have a song from Sam Stone (who I don't think I'd ever heard of before, judging from his Bandcamp he's pretty new) that I heard on Welcome to Night Vale and had to buy immediately. I think you'll understand why.
Conclusion: If I'm being honest these didn't hit as hard as their previous work, but they might grow on me, especially "On the Line." Mostly I'm just sad we'll never get more of this, but I'm hoping Crow and Alex come out with another project at some point.
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Conclusion: If I'm being honest these didn't hit as hard as their previous work, but they might grow on me, especially "On the Line." Mostly I'm just sad we'll never get more of this, but I'm hoping Crow and Alex come out with another project at some point.
Track 2: Those pauses are so goooood. Definitely like this one better than "Space Kids" but I wish it were longer.
megamango.bandcamp.com/track/on-the...
megamango.bandcamp.com/track/on-the...
On the Line, by Mega Mango
track by Mega Mango
megamango.bandcamp.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Track 2: Those pauses are so goooood. Definitely like this one better than "Space Kids" but I wish it were longer.
megamango.bandcamp.com/track/on-the...
megamango.bandcamp.com/track/on-the...
Track 1: That bit of silence right before the chorus, love it. Ooh and then it comes back right after the chorus with just the bass.
It's a fun one, dig the music, lyrically feels a little meh.
megamango.bandcamp.com/track/space-...
It's a fun one, dig the music, lyrically feels a little meh.
megamango.bandcamp.com/track/space-...
Space Kids, by Mega Mango
track by Mega Mango
megamango.bandcamp.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Track 1: That bit of silence right before the chorus, love it. Ooh and then it comes back right after the chorus with just the bass.
It's a fun one, dig the music, lyrically feels a little meh.
megamango.bandcamp.com/track/space-...
It's a fun one, dig the music, lyrically feels a little meh.
megamango.bandcamp.com/track/space-...
I'd been holding off on buying the two singles off the forthcoming album because I was going to, you know, buy the album, but that album will never be coming out, so. This will be the last time I get to hear new music from one of my favorite bands.
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I'd been holding off on buying the two singles off the forthcoming album because I was going to, you know, buy the album, but that album will never be coming out, so. This will be the last time I get to hear new music from one of my favorite bands.
However, as I documented (in somewhat freaked out real time) on another thread (bsky.app/profile/nopl...) something happened in mid-2024 and the band broke up, with the bassist and drummer keeping the name and hiring a new lead singer. Functionally, Mega Mango, the real Mega Mango, no longer exists.
Ok I don't know what the fuck happened but apparently Mega Mango is now just the bassist and two people I've never seen before. What the actual fuck.
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
However, as I documented (in somewhat freaked out real time) on another thread (bsky.app/profile/nopl...) something happened in mid-2024 and the band broke up, with the bassist and drummer keeping the name and hiring a new lead singer. Functionally, Mega Mango, the real Mega Mango, no longer exists.
They and producer/guitarist Alex Spagnolia, aka Diet Lemon, were the primary drivers behind the band's sound, though that's not to discount the musical talents of bassist Niko Jones and drummer Sam Poll.
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
They and producer/guitarist Alex Spagnolia, aka Diet Lemon, were the primary drivers behind the band's sound, though that's not to discount the musical talents of bassist Niko Jones and drummer Sam Poll.
At the forefront is lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Crow Costello, whose idiosyncratic delivery and unique stylistic range gives every song its own energy.
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
At the forefront is lead singer/songwriter/guitarist Crow Costello, whose idiosyncratic delivery and unique stylistic range gives every song its own energy.
They were my 2nd most-listened to artist last year, behind Shakey Graves, and considering he put out 8 albums that year while Mega Mango to date has two EPs and a handful of singles I think that's saying a lot. Even now they are still a no-skips-allowed band if they come up on shuffle.
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
They were my 2nd most-listened to artist last year, behind Shakey Graves, and considering he put out 8 albums that year while Mega Mango to date has two EPs and a handful of singles I think that's saying a lot. Even now they are still a no-skips-allowed band if they come up on shuffle.
The band draws from a large swath of influences, but there's no comparison or set of comparisons you can make that would account for all of their sound, it's such a specific amalgamation that's entirely their own.
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
The band draws from a large swath of influences, but there's no comparison or set of comparisons you can make that would account for all of their sound, it's such a specific amalgamation that's entirely their own.
I discovered Mega Mango a couple years ago when they did an Audiotree session (www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHZ-..., watch it, it's great) but didn't get around to actually listening to them until last year—at which point they quickly became one of my favorite bands.
Mega Mango on Audiotree Live (Full Session)
YouTube video by Audiotree
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I discovered Mega Mango a couple years ago when they did an Audiotree session (www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHZ-..., watch it, it's great) but didn't get around to actually listening to them until last year—at which point they quickly became one of my favorite bands.
It’s usually worst in the morning so I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.
November 25, 2025 at 4:09 AM
It’s usually worst in the morning so I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.
Bonus Track: I feel like it's getting harder to come up with bonus tracks, but here's a song that I think fits thematically with this album and is also a piano-driven closer that hits hard emotionally:
johngrantmusic.bandcamp.com/track/glacie...
johngrantmusic.bandcamp.com/track/glacie...
Glacier, by John Grant
from the album Pale Green Ghosts
johngrantmusic.bandcamp.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Bonus Track: I feel like it's getting harder to come up with bonus tracks, but here's a song that I think fits thematically with this album and is also a piano-driven closer that hits hard emotionally:
johngrantmusic.bandcamp.com/track/glacie...
johngrantmusic.bandcamp.com/track/glacie...
Conclusion: Really strong first half, lost me a bit in the middle, powerhouse closer. Some great lyrics all the way through, and honestly as much as I love "Candy Bars & Men" and "Anybody Else" (off of Ain't It Nice), I'm kind of glad they didn't keep going with the more country sound.
November 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Conclusion: Really strong first half, lost me a bit in the middle, powerhouse closer. Some great lyrics all the way through, and honestly as much as I love "Candy Bars & Men" and "Anybody Else" (off of Ain't It Nice), I'm kind of glad they didn't keep going with the more country sound.
Track 11: Whew, what an ending. That falsetto part, oh man. And the way the piano part goes up the octaves at the end, love that. Beautiful song.
malblum.bandcamp.com/track/husban...
malblum.bandcamp.com/track/husban...
Husbands and Other Strangers, by Mal Blum
from the album The Villain
malblum.bandcamp.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Track 11: Whew, what an ending. That falsetto part, oh man. And the way the piano part goes up the octaves at the end, love that. Beautiful song.
malblum.bandcamp.com/track/husban...
malblum.bandcamp.com/track/husban...
The Villain, by Mal Blum
from the album The Villain
malblum.bandcamp.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:52 PM