Whoever said that "I'lls going hiatus is literally the worst thing to ever happen, ever" (me), clearly wasn't thinking in a glass half full way. Because in the time since I'lls announced their break; Simon Lam and Hamish Mitchell announced Couture, Kllo signed to Ghostly and now Lam has brought back a project we haven't heard from since 2011; NEARLY ORATORIO.
Nearly Oratorio is the solo project of the I'lls/Kllo frontman, and back in 2011 focussed on a folky-pop-ambient mesh that produced one ripper EP. Now, thanks to Solitaire Recordings, Lam's project has come back to life through 'Tin' - the first single from an upcoming EP of the same name.
According to Lam himself 'Tin' was conceived three years ago and features "raw, demo vocals that I never bothered to redo and the poor recording/mixing capabilities of a 21 y/o Nearly Oratorio". But don't let that conceited analysis sway you, 'Tin' is a another truly beautiful creation.
A subdued electronic ballad of sorts, 'Tin' doesn't necessarily build to a climax, but it's complex mix of contrasting percussion, and underlying synth work move around Lam's whispered vocals in a way that's so captivating. A sort of throw back to I'lls' older work, this first taste of Nearly Oratorio's EP is packed with emotive triggers and texture heavy melodies.
Anything this guy touches is genius, and you all know it. A songwriting god amongst us all (totally not an overzealous statement).
Pre-order the Tin EP via Solitaire Recordings. It'll be released April 11.
Words by Tom Hutchins
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