Tora-I Provides An Insight Into Her Mind On New EP '& What else?'

& What else? is a kaleidoscope of artistic impressions that allow East London’s soulstress Tora-i to explore beyond the notion that identity is fixed, but in an essence fluid and also that policed genre borders should not be breached.

On the dreamlike ’17 Suns’, you’re kept in time with the energetic percussion drums and the groovy baseline. Lulled to a state of calm with the combination of Tora-I softly sung vocals that sing encouragement and caution to be wary. The abrupt ringing of an alarm clock disrupts the temporary peace.

She demonstrates her singing ability by applying falsetto before lowering it to a baritone on ‘Crystalline’. Tora-i’s voice is sharp and expressive as she pleads to resolve the tension with a partner that is perfectly mimicked by the electronic synths.

What started as, feeling the weight of life “lifeing” turned into looking to the future as something to do rather than to be done to you” Tora-i admits.

Explaining further she continues “Now I realise that’s just adulthood, it’s life, it’s not an attack on you personally, things genuinely just happen.”

Released in 2021 a year after her debut EP dropped Cavalier ‘Serial’ is an alternative R&B record where we find the East Londoner reflecting on the loss of a past romantic experience after finding some distance, she looks back with warmth.

Displaying the lessons learned and growth, she sings “In love, there’s no limits, not some shy decision.” As she measures the relationship not on the duration but on its profound impact.

‘Folklore’ is a timeless track that could easily have been mistaken for being produced in the era of Sam Cooke, Motown and the Civil Rights Movement. Similarly, to that generation, Tora-i isn’t afraid to engage with the wider social issues of her time such as capitalism, and overworking the worker.

“A family friend of ours [who is the person sampled on the voice note in the song] was talking about never taking a day off and giving every part of himself to work,” Tora-I shares. “And I kept on thinking to myself is it worth it, could I do that I don’t think I have it in me.”

Intimately Tora-I liberates herself from ego and in the same breath embraces expression. Against a bluesy electric guitar rift on ‘Hips dips’ as she finds strength from home.

Yeaning on ’10 months’ Tora-i casts a haunting figure with her soulful vocals that enrichen the piano chords, and electronic synths before the gradual introduction of guitars. She sings “god bless the honeymoon phase, rose swinging chandelier, nose dive to saint propane” to explore the risk that love carries and the downward motion of falling.

Concluding with the more upbeat ‘Palace’, Tora-I’s vocals are silky smooth as she breathes life into the jazzy track. She galvanises herself as she finds the strength to face life directly.

Last year Tora-I enjoyed performing as a support act on Snoh Aalegra’s Brixton show and now she has her ever first-ever headline show scheduled for the 21st of June at The ICA.

Finding peace and creativity on this project, we’ve fallen further in love with the refreshing approach to experimenting with different sounds to share imitate experiences by Tora-I and we cannot wait to see what else she is planning this year.

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