Ginla - Codex (2018)

Spread between Brooklyn and Toronto, the cross-border duo of Jon Nellen and Joe Manzoli make dreamy, abstract electronic pop as ginla. Their recordings, such as 2018 full-length debut Codex, often feature delicate vocals and airy guitars as well as intricate beats influenced by drum'n'bass and U.K. garage, occasionally resembling Elliott Smith as produced by Mount Kimbie.

Both members of ginla have lived in several locations, and have absorbed and performed several genres of music. Jon Nellen was raised in Mumbai, and has a background in Indian classical music. Joe Manzoli grew up in Ontario, Canada and played free jazz during his high-school years, while also listening to hip-hop and indie rock. The two musicians first met in 2012, working as side musicians for Nick Hakim while he was recording his first two EPs. Following additional work with Adrianne Lenker (Big Thief) and Lorely Rodriguez (Empress Of), Nellen and Manzoli decided to form their own group. The debut ginla single, "Almost Plastic," was self-released in 2014. Their first EP, simply titled ginla, was co-produced by Rusty Santos and released by Terrible Records in 2017. The duo's full-length debut, Codex, arrived a year later.