TOMORA is the duo of The Chemical Brothers’ Tom Rowlands and Norwegian singer AURORA. They released a new five-track EP, CELEBRATION, digitally on Friday 16 October through Fontana Records. Physical editions follow on 27 November. The TOMORA CELEBRATION EP runs to about 25 minutes, according to its Apple Music listing, and follows the pair’s debut album, COME CLOSER.
According to Fontana’s release notes, the duo recorded the EP at RAR Studios in Sussex after returning from their first live shows. The label says that came after a summer that took them from Coachella to Fuji Rock. The title track came out as a single on 22 September, when the EP was announced, according to Universal Music Japan.
What’s on it
Three of the tracks are new: “Celebration”, “Hold On Let Go” and “What Do We Got?”. The other two rework existing material. “IN A MINUTE”, the closing track of COME CLOSER, appears in a 10-minute live-from-the-studio version. The EP also ends with a “Ritual Mix” of the title track. Writing for EDM Identity, Carolina Quijano says the live version leans on real-time improvisation, live vocal looping and analogue synthesizers. By contrast, she says the Ritual Mix takes “Celebration” into darker territory with tribal percussion and chopped vocals.
Two of the five tracks are a reworked mix and a long live take. That makes the EP as much about how the songs can be stretched and rebuilt as it is about new material.
The duo’s statement on the EP, published by Fontana, explains the title: “Celebration is a privilege. Celebration is a person. Celebration is a funeral and celebration is a ritual. It’s human nature. And it’s a human need.”
TOMORA CELEBRATION EP tracklist
- Celebration
- Hold On Let Go
- What Do We Got?
- IN A MINUTE (Live From The Studio Version)
- Celebration (Ritual Mix)
Formats
The TOMORA CELEBRATION EP is out now on streaming and download platforms. Vinyl and CD editions are due on 27 November. In addition, Fontana’s store lists an “Eclipse” vinyl edition, and Universal Music Japan lists black 12-inch vinyl, a special marbled vinyl and CD. Finally, TOMORA will announce live dates on its official channels.
