Detailed Instructions on How to Play: Fun and Games the New EP by Mega Mango
By Allyson J.L. Clayton
One oh-so-fateful night, our Editor-In-Chief, Lindsey, innocuously sent a song to our group chat and I clicked on the link thinking nothing of it! Just another great song recommendation, a solid little tune and I’d be on my way. Unfortunately for me, and everyone who watches my Instagram stories, I was, in fact, changed. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
The song Lindsey blessed my ears with was “Boggle” by Mega Mango, a band from her local music scene in Philly. Their band consists of Crow Costello (they/them) on the most mind alteringly melodic vocals, Alex Spagnolia (he/him) shredding his heart out on the guitar, Niko Jones (he/him) masterfully grooving on bass, and Sam Poll (he/him) absolutely changing my life on drums. Their first EP, Fun and Games is out RIGHT NOW! Before you pass Go to your favorite streaming service, please see the rules of the game below! The “Mega Mango’s Fun and Games” game, of course!
FUN and GAMES the game
rules for listening to the new EP by Mega Mango
Objective
The goal of this game, as in most games, is to win. Lucky for you, Player, you have already won by choosing to listen to what may be the greatest record this year. Read on for the rules of the game.
Set Up
Open Spotify (or Apple Music, if you swing that way).
Type in “greatest EP to ever exist” into the search bar.
If Step 2 doesn’t produce the desired results, please then type in “Fun and Games by Mega Mango.”
Click ‘Play.’
Be so deeply immersed, you forget space and time.
Transcend.
Gameplay
Round 1–”Boggle”
Players should start their first round by playing the album all the way through, with an open mind and, more importantly, an open heart. Most importantly, though, open ears so that you can hear the music.
You will start with “Boggle”, a song that has been blowing minds since late summer 2021. You will have a poetic description of how heart-ache-so-deep-it-scares-you feels, sung to you with such intention that it may be overwhelming. Watery and wind-rustle-y atmospheric sounds and a deep kick-drum thrum will fill your ears as an electric guitar melody adds a sonic bounce over the acoustic strumming that sounds like it was dipped in gold.
[People passin’ by
And you’re a little high
But you don’t seem to mind
The water under lights
I might just close my eyes
For a little while]
The first drum fill comes in so epic and profuse, you may go into a subtle shock. Stay calm and listen on.
[I wanna boggle your mind
I'm dying to tell you you'll never be lonely
If I could just stay the night
We'll turn on a movie and shut off the lights
I wanna open your eyes
And show you just what you've been missing this whole time
I don't wanna wait in line
I'm done with that shit, baby, I've done my time]
Symphonic and so perfectly loud, the chorus is a full-body experience. Enveloped in this shiver-inducing distorted bass sound, “Boggle” is a masterclass in feeling so overwhelmed and desperate to get someone to see you and want to know you in the way you want to know them. You’re floating in this interim of unrequited desire and you are done waiting for them to see how happy you both could be together. If only they would let you boggle their mind!
Round 2–”Sorry!”
“Sorry!” is so deeply human, it breaks my heart. Crow Costello, lead vocalist, has one of the coolest voices I have ever heard and they really know how to play with the range and dynamic capabilities of that voice! It’s raw and filled with emotion, it’s human and so beautiful. The verses are steadily inching towards the climactic choruses until all of a sudden, the song starts to break down, as a relationship that has met it’s bitter end might, only to have the drums come in boisterous once again as the echoing back up vocals help the song bleed to a close. It feels like an argument between friends or lovers or friends who are lovers, both trying to be heard and also to apologize for the way this all ended up. Your world really opens up when you are the one to make the mistake this time. In this round, Players should let themselves feel the pain they may have caused and then forgive themselves. Let it go, and try to get better…
[It's ok if you hate me
I don't blame you one bit
But I'm not gonna wait for you to ask about it
I'm tryin' to change]
Round 3–”Risk”
ALERT! ALERT! It is of the utmost importance that Players take all the time that they need to digest this round of the game, do not take any risks!
[…maybe it's
All in my head
But it won't stop until I'm dead]
If any Player is unable to move on past this point, all gameplay must cease until said Player has recovered.
“Risk” evokes the feelings of a cyclical deliriousness that gets so terrifyingly repetitive–bed to car to bed to the car again–unable to find a better way to cope than driving all night and sleeping all day. Until all of a sudden you’re able to change the channel, for better or for “blurt”! Please see: Round 4.
Round 4–”Blurt”
If “Risk” describes depression, then “Blurt” details the experience of mania. You’re anxious, you can’t sleep, all of the thoughts you’ve ever had are running through your mind all at the same time. The song’s tempo is evocative of heightened anxiety. The chorus going through highs and lows and then more highs, climbing to the top, always at risk of falling off. .
[What keeps me from getting sleep
Is if I picture you
Instead of sheep
And I keep counting
I keep counting
On the patterns to repeat]
Round 5–”Clue”
In this round, Players can expect to feel emotionally exhausted while simultaneously feeling so seen and heard, it’s honestly quite scary!
“Clue” is the final track on the EP, a recap of all the emotional turmoil the Players have just experienced. Feeling like five songs in one, “Clue” is a perfect example of how Mega Mango, as a whole, really have a grasp on the limitless orchestral possibilities of a song. They are all extremely talented at what they do and the personality of each instrument really shines through on this song and in every song. Players are forced, for their own good, to get to know the intricacies of each instrument’s role. You can’t ignore the disjointed flute sounds that open the song. You feel the rasp of Crow’s voice deep in your heart cavity, and when the drums come in you know what they are trying to tell you. Psychedelic guitar effects burgeoning in and out over top the steady bass line that’s keeping you grounded as the song changes gears a few times. And then there’s the xylophone?! And THEN the guitar solo?! AND THEN, the perfect loop that takes you right back to the beginning.
DO NOT PASS GO! Or do, and put that baby on repeat! It was made for it!
Winning & Losing
The only way to win is to lose. And by lose I mean, lose your ever-loving mind listening to these songs over and over again.
Legal
Neither Mega Mango (the band), their management OR Pleaser Magazine are liable for any emotional injuries sustained during a Player’s time spent listening to these songs or reading this article.
Find Out More
Follow Mega Mango on Instagram and Spotify! Catch them in a city near you on their 2023 Spring Tour and tell them we sent you!
Thanks for playing!!
