MONiMO launches debut album as it seems
After the release of the singles “the swing of sonder” and “open lights,” the MONiMO project, led by musician and multimedia artist Diogo Marrafa, now reveals its long-awaited debut album, as it seems.
Recorded between 2022 and 2024 at the Nimbo studio in Setúbal, as it seems consists of five tracks and an interlude, including the two already released singles. The remaining songs – “meaning or expense,” “pretending to be asleep,” and “in between” – complete this work, which blends progressive rock, electronic elements, and a rich and careful musical narrative. The compositions of the album also bring fragments of old songs, giving the album a temporal depth that reflects Marrafa’s creative evolution over the years.
Much of the instrumentation was played by Diogo Marrafa himself, while Vasco Rydin took on the drums and Iúri Oliveira the percussion. The album also features special contributions from close friends and even from the artist’s mother. The recording, mixing, and production were handled by Diogo Arranja, who was an essential element in the creation of this work, creatively and meticulously addressing the blending of instruments, adding layers of subtlety and texture to each track.
The title as it seems refers to the idea that our perception of the world is always conditioned by who we are. Each track on the album carries a unique message, directed towards different “directions” and perspectives. The physical version of the album will feature an illustrated booklet, offering a visual and abstract interpretation of the themes explored in each song.
The singles
The first single, “the swing of sonder,” introduced the project with a reflection on the concept of “sonder” – the feeling of realizing that everyone around us, including strangers, has lives as complex as our own. Musically, the track oscillates between revolt and serenity, with a powerful guitar riff and a saxophone solo by Ruben Garção Silva, capturing the emotional fluctuation of this feeling.
Click on the image to listen to “the swing of sonder”
Meanwhile, “open lights,” the second single, presents a more introspective and dark narrative, where the protagonist finds themselves trapped in a cave, a metaphor for the internal struggle with illusions and desires. The character, initially scared of their situation, ultimately discovers that what they feared the most was, after all, what they were seeking. The track highlights MONiMO’s more progressive side, with a strong visual component through the 3D animated music video, also created by Marrafa.
About MONiMO
MONiMO is Diogo Marrafa’s latest project, known for his participation in bands like Loosense and Esfera. This project, presented to the public in 2023, combines progressive rock with animated videos, creating an abstract artistic expression that can be experienced both live and on digital platforms.
Described as “a giant,” MONiMO now brings as it seems, an album that explores distinct sound atmospheres and reflects the duality and depth of its messages. The singles “the swing of sonder” and “open lights” were released with 3D animated videos, reinforcing the visual and immersive dimension of the project.
Live, MONiMO features Bernardo Pereira, João David, João Martins, and Vasco Rydin, forming a visual and sound spectacle, with video projections, synthesizers, electric guitars, and choirs, promising an intense and narrative experience. The project plans a tour across the country in 2025, bringing its unique aesthetic to the Portuguese audience.
The album as it seems is already available on all digital platforms, and the physical version will be available soon, with exclusive illustrations for each theme.
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