MORI is a 21-year-old French producer hailing from Noisy-le-Grand, a suburb just outside Paris, who is quickly making a name for himself with his genre-blending sound and cinematic approach to music. His artistic journey is deeply influenced by his passion for visual storytelling, drawing on the worlds of Rap, R&B, and Rock to craft a soundscape that feels as much like a film as it does a song. MORI’s debut project, “Vice City”, is not just an exploration of music but a creative universe, one where emotions are as vividly portrayed as characters in a story.
For MORI, music is more than just beats and lyrics; it’s a way to convey deep, often universal narratives. Inspired by the complexity of human emotions and the power of mythological tales, he strives to create pieces that resonate with listeners on both an emotional and intellectual level. In September 2024, he introduced the world to “Vice City” with the release of the single “The Rabbit Hole”, which set the tone for the ambitious project by blending personal themes with a larger-than-life sound. But it’s with his second single, *Ogygie*, that MORI truly unveils the depth of his storytelling abilities, taking listeners on an emotional journey inspired by the myth of Ulysses and his time on the island of Ogygia.
Released on October 18th, 2024, “Ogygie” is the latest single from MORI’s cinematic debut project, “Vice City”. In this captivating track, MORI draws inspiration from the myth of Ulysses and the island of Ogygia, blending vaporous synths, ethereal sounds, and introspective lyrics to create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. Collaborating with the exquisite vocals of Rayne, “Ogygie” takes listeners on a journey through the emotional traps of lost love, romantic disillusionment, and the lingering memories of relationships past. This mesmerizing song is a delicate balance of celestial melodies and melancholic undertones, offering both a soothing and intense experience that will leave listeners drifting between dream and reality.
Emotion, mythology, and contemporary soundscapes are all interwoven in a really beautiful way in MORI’s “Ogygie,” an EDM single that features the angelic vocals of Rayne. As though the music itself is balancing between dream and reality, the listener is captivated by an airy yet grounded environment from the first note. A delicate arrangement of synths, long-lasting melodies, and a bassline that hums beneath the surface create an enormous yet personal ambiance at the beginning of the track. What can only be described as a fantastic experience is set in motion by this first mix of sounds. The duality of softness and intensity in the opening is palpable, and before long, the listener is lost within the cinematic world that MORI has so carefully crafted.
Rayne’s entrance into the song is nothing short of enchanting. Her voice, smooth and soft, floats above the track with an angelic grace. There’s a vulnerability in her delivery, which brings the emotional weight of the song to life. In “Ogygie”, Rayne’s voice isn’t just a vehicle for the lyrics; it becomes part of the sonic landscape, adding texture and depth to the already rich instrumentation. The lyrics, too, reflect the essence of the myth that inspired the song: Ulysses’ entrapment on the island of Ogygia. Rayne carries these heavy themes with elegance, allowing her voice to soar over the track with a sense of yearning and emotional stagnation. Her performance is a crucial element, giving the song a heart that beats beneath the layers of synths and bass.
The production of “Ogygie” is where MORI truly shines. Known for his cinematic approach to music, MORI doesn’t just produce beats; he constructs entire worlds with his sound. The rhythmic layout of this track is intricate yet accessible, pulling the listener in with its slow-building intensity. At around the 35-second mark, the music begins to shift, with the drum groove creeping into the mix, setting the stage for the track’s steady progression. There’s a moment between 0:35 and 0:49 where the song begins to evolve, the melodies stripping back momentarily before building again, and the full EDM beat drops into the mix. It’s an explosion of sound that hits with the perfect balance of energy and subtlety. The way MORI controls the momentum of the track is masterful, allowing the listener to feel the emotional rise and fall in sync with the beat.
The power of “Ogygie” to meld disparate feelings is what drives the narrative. The music is propelled ahead by an irresistible groove and a throbbing, high-energy rhythm, yet there is also a hint of melancholy that lurks just below the surface. The tension created by the interaction of these two opposing forces gives the track its depth. Though they are supported by the more reflective bassline and the subdued percussion that emerges as the song goes on, the synth melodies feel airy and vast. What makes “Ogygie” such an engaging listen is the harmony between light and dark, between motion and motionlessness. The song perfectly expresses the sensation of being caught in a moment, much like Ulysses on the island of Ogygia, torn between
One of the most impressive aspects of “Ogygie” is how it never becomes stagnant, even though it’s thematically centered on the concept of emotional and temporal stagnation. The track constantly evolves, with subtle changes in melody and rhythm that keep the listener engaged. MORI has a gift for creating music that feels both consistent and dynamic at the same time. The melodies dance and shift, moving in different directions while still maintaining the same underlying mood. It’s this melodic versatility that makes the song feel fresh with every listen, despite its repetitive, hypnotic quality.
The central themes of “Ogygie” are time and lost love, which speak to listeners who have encountered the eerie recollections of a relationship long after the intensity has subsided. The song discusses how remnants of our past always accompany us, no of how hard we try to move on. Similar to how Ulysses was never able to completely leave Calypso, even after we have moved on, we still carry traces of our previous relationships with us. The words and atmosphere of the song exquisitely convey this state of emotional limbo, enabling the listener to experience the weight of those lingering memories while being carried along by the beat’s onward motion.
The collaboration between MORI and Rayne is a stroke of genius. Rayne’s ethereal vocals create a sound that is both ethereal and intensely human, perfectly balancing MORI’s rich production. Together, they create a song that seems ageless and as though it were created in a different universe. Their artistic relationship is demonstrated by the way they complement one another’s talents, and it’s this partnership that turns “Ogygie” from a fantastic song into a masterpiece.
“Ogygie” is not just a song—it’s a journey. From the mythological inspiration behind it to the emotional depth conveyed through its sound, this track is a shining example of what happens when storytelling and music collide. MORI’s production is nothing short of breathtaking, while Rayne’s vocals add a layer of vulnerability and beauty that completes the picture. For fans of EDM, cinematic soundscapes, or simply anyone who has ever felt the pull of a past relationship, “Ogygie” is a must-listen. It’s a track that will linger in your mind long after the final notes have faded, much like the memories it so poignantly explores.
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