The Setlist & The Script

If you’re in the mood for a kaleidoscopic journey to the edge of the cosmos—and back again, Mandrake Handshake’s debut album, Earth-Sized Worlds, promises to be the ticket you’ve been waiting for. Set to drop on February 21st via the cult indie powerhouse Tip Top Recordings, the London/Oxford-based “Flowerkraut” collective invites listeners to explore their eclectic, genre-bending universe. With their latest single, The Change And The Changing, out today, the anticipation for this psychedelic odyssey is reaching fever pitch.

Dubbed Earth-Sized Worlds, the album is an ambitious concept piece blending the alien expanses of cosmic imagination with the warm, nostalgic glow of earthly memories. Across nine tracks, Mandrake Handshake fuses their distinct cocktail of krautrock, Brazilian samba, avant-pop, and dreamy psychedelia. The collective, boasting anywhere between seven and ten members at any time, delivers an experimental but cohesive sonic landscape.

“Welcome to Space Beach,” they proclaim—a place where the sea kisses the sky, the trees brush the stars, and boundaries are as fluid as their sound. From the radiant groove of Charlie’s Comet to the commanding swirl of King Cnut, and now, the introspective reflections of The Change And The Changing, the band showcases their ability to weave eclectic influences into mesmerizing soundscapes.

The Change And The Changing

The Change And The Changing is a testament to Mandrake Handshake’s depth. Inspired by lead vocalist Trinity Oksana’s solo trip to Edinburgh, the track explores themes of self-discovery and healing through nature. Layers of tape-soaked Brazilian rhythms collide with kosmische synth textures, creating a lush auditory tapestry. The cascading vocals blend seamlessly with the band’s expansive instrumentation, anchored by a driving, hypnotic bassline.

This track feels like a conversation between the introspective and the cosmic, a personal diary set to kaleidoscopic sound. It’s an exhilarating glimpse of what Earth-Sized Worlds will offer: uncharted territory where psychedelia meets raw emotional resonance.

Mandrake Handshake – The Change And The Changing
https://bfan.link/change-and-the-changing

The Band Behind the Magic

Mandrake Handshake’s line-up reads like a dream team for experimental music: Trinity Oksana’s ethereal vocals are complemented by the vibrant sax and flute work of David Howard-Baker, the modular synth wizardry of Moogieman, and Row Janjuah’s celestial guitar tones. The band’s sound is enriched by the rhythmic dexterity of drummer Joe Bourdier and the flamboyant energy of Elvis Thirlwell’s tambourine theatrics.

Their live performances, praised for their theatricality and multi-layered arrangements, have cemented Mandrake Handshake as one of the UK’s must-see psychedelic acts. They’ve graced the stages of Green Man, Wide Awake, and Manchester Psych Fest, and their sold-out show at London’s 100 Club earlier this year proved their undeniable draw.

Touring the Cosmos

As the release of Earth-Sized Worlds draws nearer, Mandrake Handshake is gearing up for an expansive live run. First, they’ll join legendary rockers Del Amitri on a UK tour throughout December, hitting iconic venues such as Glasgow’s Barrowlands and Manchester’s Albert Hall. Then, they’ll cap off their album launch with a massive headline show at No90 in Hackney Wick, London, on February 28th.

Tour Dates:

• Dec 1 – Boiler Shop, Newcastle*
• Dec 3 – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London*
• Dec 4 – O2 Academy, Leeds*
• Dec 5 – Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton*
• Dec 7 – The Nick Rays LCR, UEA, Norwich*
• Dec 8 – O2 Academy, Bristol*
• Dec 10 – O2 Academy, Liverpool*
• Dec 11 – Albert Hall, Manchester*
• Dec 12 – Leadmill, Sheffield*
• Dec 18 – Music Hall, Aberdeen*
• Dec 19 – Concert Hall, Perth*
• Dec 20 – Usher Hall, Edinburgh*
• Dec 22–23 – Barrowlands, Glasgow*
• Feb 28 – No90, Hackney Wick, London

(*Supporting Del Amitri)

A New Era of Flowerkraut

With Earth-Sized Worlds, Mandrake Handshake seem poised to cement their reputation as one of the UK’s most thrilling and innovative bands. Their ability to blur the boundaries of genres while maintaining a distinct voice sets them apart in a crowded musical landscape.

For fans of art-pop, krautrock, or simply getting lost in a swirl of sound, this is a record to mark on your calendar. February 21st can’t come soon enough. Until then, crank up The Change And The Changing, and let the countdown to Space Beach begin.