Manning Fireworks

Manning Fireworks is MJ Lenderman's album for ANTI-, released on September 6, 2024, and it was received with wide acclaim, including an 8.7 from Pitchfork.^[1] Critics described a blend of country and alternative rock, with slide guitar, fiddle and woodwind, and praised the guitar work and wordplay.^[2] Reviewers also heard dry humor mixed with heartbreak, Catholic guilt and a worry about growing up while the world moves on.^[3]

"Rudolph" predates the record. It was released as a single in July 2023 and issued on a 7-inch alongside a reworked version of "Knockin'."^[4]

The record was made at Drop of Sun Studios in Lenderman's hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, and co-produced with Alex Farrar, with Wednesday bandmates Karly Hartzman, Xandy Chelmis and Ethan Baechtold contributing.^[5] Its singles were "She's Leaving You," "Joker Lips" and "Wristwatch," while "You Don't Know the Shape I'm In" (track seven of nine) became one of its most discussed deep cuts, with Lenderman later unpacking its construction for the podcast Song Exploder.^[6]