I love me a successful love story, and it so happens that Patrick Lew Band and his fiancé, Manda Kay, embody an inspiring one. So back story: they actually met online (Facebook) back on June 23, 2021and began dating online as an LDR couple on December 23, 2022. I’d be lying if I said that the relationship sailed smoothly—as any online relationship, let alone a long-distance one, they have faced their fair share of complications but eventually transcended those drawbacks, meeting in person on September 15, 2024. The reason I am telling you all this is because Patrick Lew Band’s latest EP, “Pariah Vol.3: Return From Limbo” is a project that has been inspired by his love and adoration for his beautiful fiancé. It is a project made from love and one that will appeal to your senses. Listen!
The first jam, “Oh, Mand!” is a touchingly beautiful ode to his fiancé. This is the kind of song that feels like a warm embrace—intimate, heartfelt, and timeless. From the moment the guitar-laden intro sweeps in, there’s a sense of nostalgia and devotion, like a love letter set to melody. The tone is inviting, each chord ringing with sincerity, setting the stage for a vocal delivery that is pure and unembellished—no grit, no distortion, just raw emotion pouring through every lyric.
As the song unfolds, the classic pop-rock essence takes shape—not in a heavy, rebellious way, but in a way that feels like the golden moments of life set to music. It’s the kind of track that calls to mind driving with the windows down on a sunlit highway, hand in hand with the one you love, or slow-dancing barefoot in the living room, lost in the magic of simply being together.
Lyrically, “Oh, Manda!” is a celebration of love that triumphed over distance, capturing that feeling of long-awaited closeness. Somehow, you feel the palpable emotions that touch you in a way that excites your delicate heart that beats for these kinds of profound stories of love.
The instrumentation remains crisp and warm, supporting the vocals without overpowering the song’s heartfelt message. The melodies soar just enough to be anthemic yet remain grounded in intimacy, making the track feel deeply personal yet universally relatable. The chorus is the kind that lingers, its melody echoing long after the song has ended, much like the lasting warmth of a cherished memory.
The second jam, “The Great Firewall” has a gritty rock edginess off the bat thanks to the driving riffs that set the tone before the punchy, subtly cinematic drums provide a delightful backdrop for the ear-gracing vocals. As the song progresses, there is that undeniable essence of rock n’ roll cadence, enough to get those feet tapping and heads bopping. This is a jam brimming with both liveliness and charisma.
Featuring his fictional twin sister Medaline Law, the jam “Freedom” is like when dance meets rock. This is a feel-good jam that echoes the thrill of ‘freedom’ all through, and I love how as it progresses, Patrick Lew Band unleashes this timeless supply of enthrallingly striking solos backed by steadfast drums for a euphoric listening experience. The Mandarin lyrics are the icing on the cake!
“Better Than You Ex” feels so custom-made for those kinds of mosh pit concerts where you can just pour your heart out and surrender to the music. The climactic jam “Good To Be Alive” is exactly as you can imagine it—bursting at the seams with a liveliness, positivity, and optimism that is doubtlessly infectious.
This is your sign to delve into this sonic tour de force and relish. And while still in that mood, head onto Patrick Lew Band fiancé’s YouTube channel https://youtube.com/@AsToldByMandaKay and support her.
