EP REVIEW: Orbit – Mother Of Millions

MOTHER OF MILLIONS are about to release their first EP after their acclaimed third full-length Artifacts. With the tragic loss of keyboard player Makis Tsamkosoglou while touring that record, the band have created a beautiful EP to follow it up, and to pay respect to his memory.

This brief listen holds a lot of emotion, right from the subtle and tragic opener Where Do We Go From Here, that plays on the depth and heart of the piano as its main vehicle to drive home the tone of the EP. As a set of songs, Orbit feels intimate when you listen to it – a result of the personal and professional loss that proceeded it with the passing of Tsamkosoglou, who is clearly dearly loved and deeply missed. Moreso than any track, the piano version of the song Rome feels like a special homage. With his instrument being the focal point aside from the singing, it feels poignant that this be the close out for the EP.

Nestled within the centre of the EP is title track Orbit, which is the showpiece of the record. It’s darker and more violent, with a groove in the bass and a droning chill of shrill notes. The drums are vivacious and snappy, while the synth stretches and warps. The overall tone is cold, expansive and emotive, from the low moment midway through, to the towering, expressive melody that gradually builds itself up through the dark depths of the song. The vocals are huge, with so much power behind them that the clear catharsis of MOTHER OF MILLIONS working through their emotions feels embodied within them.

As a show of creativity, the reworking of FLORENCE + THE MACHINE’s No Light, No Light feels like a fitting and moving choice of song to cover. It feels both musically exhilarating to put a new stamp on a widely known song, and to have a heavier edge to it. The song itself has so much to pick apart and reimagine, and MOTHER OF MILLIONS manage to find their own voice through Florence Welch’s words.

Being so open with their grief and displaying their unity after the loss of a prominent member, MOTHER OF MILLIONS have worked a hard part of their musical journey into this EP. Orbit as a whole stands out as a beautiful homage to an important person, but also demonstrates their musical passion and vivid aspirations to continue onwards.

Rating: 7/10

Orbit is set for release on May 6th via ViciSolum Productions.

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