MISCELLANY

Russian duo IAMTHEMORNING was formed back in 2010, and with their debut album ~ (tilde) they fairly quickly grabbed the attention of a fairly broad audience also outside of their native Russia. This self-released digital production was released in physical format the following year, and the buzz around this band continued to grow.

In the summer of 2013 they managed to raise the funds a recording trip to London, and while awaiting the new album many was rather keenly expecting following this, the band decided to release an EP for the eager fans awaiting new material. Since then iamthemorning have been picked up by prestigious UK label Kscope and released their second album to critical acclaim, but this EP is one that merits a check and a purchase by fans old and new alike as well I'd think.

On might claim that this just over 20 minutes long EP doesn't offer a whole lot, but that depends on what you're looking for. There's not all that much material exclusive to this production as such, but there are alternate version s of old and new material to enjoy here that might just reveal some additional sides to the qualities of this duo.

Vocalist Marjana has a magnificent voice, with comparisons that can be made towards vocalists such as Kate Bush, Tori Amos and, at least for me as a Norwegian, Anneli Drecker, and in the sparse piano and vocals version of Scotland her qualities as a singer really shines brightly, as does the talent of her companion Gleb on the piano. The manner in which intensity is increased on this song is just impressively well done.

While other of the alternative versions might not be quite as stunning all of them are beautiful experiences, melancholic, mournful and sad creations that are also stunningly beautiful, frail and powerful on an emotional level. Second song The Simple Story is the clear highlight however, with bass, drums and some guitars fleshing out the soundscapes and supporting the qualities of Gleb and Marjana in an impressive manner.

One might describe iamthemorning as chamber folk, art pop or progressive pop music, and other options may also apply. The basis of this project are stunning, female lead vocals and excellent supporting piano though, with a certain emphasis on melancholic and mournful atmospheres, and of that sounds like material that might be of interest then iamthemorning is a band to take not of, if you haven't already done so. A band that should have a very bright future ahead of them, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if this duo could become full time musicians making a good living from their music within a relatively short period of time.