Mandragora’s ‘Alicia’: Highlights From An International Trance Spectacular

Mandragora is a producer originally from Chihuahua, Mexico who has since lived in Brazil and Costa Rica, among other places. He is mainly known for making music belonging to the genres of Trance and Psytrance. These are more progressive, long-form genres of EDM, often with extended runtimes and alternative mixes of songs. Trance music often combines characteristics of House and Techno, among other genres of EDM, and is known for its empowering effect on listeners in both a live and recorded setting. Alicia, Mandragora’s latest outing, contains 10 sharp tracks. This album has been my unintended gateway into the Trace genre and there is a lot of cool stuff going on here that I would love to share with you. I will be covering my three favorite songs from the record in detail.

“Piranha” is the first song on the album and starts us off with a mix of ethereal sounds reminiscent of a forest or jungle, as well as intergalactic bass. Steady synth melodies, drum patterns, and squirming effects lead us to the classic hi-hats that help top define House music. A techno-inspired bassline is looped over to perfectly complement the track. A heavenly choir, acoustic guitar, and natural drums add passion, mood, and structure to “Piranha.” The melody and rhythm of this song is consistent, progressive, and danceable. With lots of twists, turns, and shifts to hold your attention. Definitely a highlight.

“Turn Up” is the second song of the album and begins with acoustic guitar. A chant and some familiar, thick trance bass immediately accompanies these guitar lines. This shifts us to EDM territory rather quickly. Mandragora has a wide variety of sounds and tricks to craft the most effective songs possible. A really good example of this can be found in “Turn Up,” as Mandragora gradually flips these guitar sounds into a digital bridge to the first drop. Well played. Trance drops like this one remind me of the audio equivalent of a searchlight or lighthouse, flashing an LED beacon to all ravers within a reasonable distance. Distorted vocals twist and turn and we continue to dance the night away. This is the perfect introduction to the genre of Trance, while showing off what it is all about. The pummeling drums of this song are hypnotic, mesmerizing, and menacing in all the right ways.

“Alicia,” the album’s titular track, is simultaneously haunting and beautiful with many contrasting elements. We are immediately greeted by gorgeous keys straight out of a nursery rhyme or lullaby, as well as a small bassline and chimes. A massive wall of bass hits us as vocal samples and a supernova charge blasts us off into orbit. Bring on the TECHNO. A head-wobbling beat descends into an UNBELIEVABLE drop as we effortlessly switch between House and Techno influences. Wow. The drop is LOUD on every level. Every layer of production has gone into warp speed and I am totally here for it. A majestic synth calls out, as if it is trying to reach astronauts who have vastly drifted out of orbit, unable to be reached. Absolute chills. The thick bass then breaks apart, shattering like a meteorite in real time under the weight of the massive drums. This is some incredible sound design that must take decades to perfect. An acoustic bridge accompanied by chanting vocals leads into a slightly varied version of the initial drop to close out the song. This is an incredible song that has imbedded a permanent love of Trance within me. Thank you, Mandragora.

Alicia is an incredible album that I would recommend to anyone who is curious about (or even familiar with) the genre of Trance. Stream it today on your favorite platform.

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