REAL – 2008
Released on March 25th, 2008
1. Go Away
2. We Are
3. Beg
4. What I Don’t Have
5. I’m In Love… Again
6. Chains
7. It’s Better This Way
9. In My Space
10. Nothing Personal
11. Contenta
Mann’s debut album Real tells the story of a young man in his late teens and his perception of the world at the time. Highly influenced from his status as an immigrant in Canada, the songs talk about a search for an identity and a desperate need to belong. Without an established sound as an artist Mann presents a first record with a vast variety of musical styles, all contained in contemporary Latin Pop. With pop, folk and electronic fusions, Mann develops a unique musical style that later on will define him as an artist.
The first single of the record Beg was released weeks earlier with a music video featuring celebrity Dj Rihannon. The bubblegum-pop track contains an interesting contrast of aggressive and mean lyrics with elements of lounge music. The single peaked at #42 in Independent radio stations in Mexico and was presented to the world on Sergio Sarmiento’s radio show in Mexico. The single was highly promoted in Mann’s first tour and it remains as one of the favourites of his repertoire.
Months later Mann released his second single Go Away, the electronic-oriented opening track of the album. The song also got a music video shot in Vancouver, B.C. and peaked at #31 in Independent Charts, becoming the most successful single of Real.