Toronto's Seth Nyquist, better known as MorMor, made a significant splash in 2018 with his indelible debut EP, Heaven's Only Wishful. It would be difficult for anyone to outshine such a luminous debut, and even though his sophomore album doesn't possess the same immediacy, 2019's Some Place Else spotlight's MorMor's evolution as a singular songwriter.
The six-song EP begins with the title track that finds MorMor pining in generalized dissatisfaction as he asks in trademark falsetto "is there some place else?" The Canadian, who has openly bristled at the idea of fame, appears rutted in his success, touching on an all-too-familiar apprehension of what to do next. Nyquist's sense of alienation is further expounded in the sweeping post-punk synths of "Outside" before settling into "Days Like This," where a more assured MorMor confides to an unnamed that "you get me, you get me high."
The record, while not having the same urgency as his debut, definitely shows MorMor's growing confidence in addressing subjects of marginalization, success and disillusionment. Nyquist often characterizes these sentiments in terms of seeking the sun or finding light, allowing the listener to draw their own meaning. Nowhere is that rising esteem more evident than on the Radiohead-esque "Make Believe," where Nyquist plays with abrupt drum beats, whispered verses and muddy soundscapes while cooing "here the sun is make believe."
Some Place Else won't garner the same recognition as the debut and that's okay; Heaven's Only Wishful was lightning in a bottle that ostensibly appeared out of nowhere. MorMor being able to follow up with a release that displays remarkable progression without sacrificing identity is perhaps the best-case scenario. Some Place Else will be remembered as a significant stepping-stone for a songwriter that is sure to have a long and illustrious career.
(Independent)The six-song EP begins with the title track that finds MorMor pining in generalized dissatisfaction as he asks in trademark falsetto "is there some place else?" The Canadian, who has openly bristled at the idea of fame, appears rutted in his success, touching on an all-too-familiar apprehension of what to do next. Nyquist's sense of alienation is further expounded in the sweeping post-punk synths of "Outside" before settling into "Days Like This," where a more assured MorMor confides to an unnamed that "you get me, you get me high."
The record, while not having the same urgency as his debut, definitely shows MorMor's growing confidence in addressing subjects of marginalization, success and disillusionment. Nyquist often characterizes these sentiments in terms of seeking the sun or finding light, allowing the listener to draw their own meaning. Nowhere is that rising esteem more evident than on the Radiohead-esque "Make Believe," where Nyquist plays with abrupt drum beats, whispered verses and muddy soundscapes while cooing "here the sun is make believe."
Some Place Else won't garner the same recognition as the debut and that's okay; Heaven's Only Wishful was lightning in a bottle that ostensibly appeared out of nowhere. MorMor being able to follow up with a release that displays remarkable progression without sacrificing identity is perhaps the best-case scenario. Some Place Else will be remembered as a significant stepping-stone for a songwriter that is sure to have a long and illustrious career.