IYAMAH - In Two Worlds (Album)
‘In Two Worlds’ is the eagerly anticipated debut album from Brighton-born, London-based vocalist and songwriter IYAMAH (eye-yam-ah). Across ‘In Two Worlds’, IYAMAH analyses her relationship with her past and her inner child and the impact this has had on her relationships with nature, success, money, religion, childhood, education, mental health, and spirituality.
The LP features production from Pitch 92 and Hannah V, with additional offerings from the likes of Reuben James, Sam Wills and Kofi Stone. IYAMAH will be heading out on her In Two Worlds UK Tour in May - full dates below.
“It all started with a Tarot reading. All the songs are reflections of the cards I pulled that day. The first card had a picture is of a woman blindfolded, tied up in ropes and chains, and in front of her are 8 swords but there is a gap between two of them, and a castle in the distance.” IYAMAH explains, referring to the inspiration for opening track “8 Of Swords”. In examining what it is to dream, to hope and to want, she identifies the difference between those for whom dreams remain a fantasy, and those who manifest their dreams into existence.
“It sparked something in me because in many ways I felt trapped, isolated, and restricted, like my dreams were further away than they had ever been before. So, I began to imagine a ‘perfect’ world, full of abundance, there were no rules, plenty of money and beauty. From this, the project began to write itself as I dived into this other world.”
Focus track “Luxury” explores the reality of arriving at the castle depicted in that first Tarot card. Whilst dreaming of a luxurious and materialistic life, IYAMAH simultaneously questions how such a dreamer could ever get so lost in the in-between of two worlds between hopeful fantasy and manifested reality. Through introspective and purposeful lyrics, IYAMAH explores her own fears of success, the deceitful nature of a social media age, and the compromises that come with the responsibilities of wealth: “my relationship to money has always been a difficult one, and in this song, I talk about wanting to make amends with money”.
This stands in considered contrast with closing track “The Key” which looks to strip back everything materialistic, focussing instead on the things that really matter: connection, wisdom, kindness, memories, and community. The track was inspired by IYAMAH’s auntie – a hugely talented poet, dancer, writer, and artist who never made any money from anything she did, because she didn’t do it for those reasons. “I’ve never seen so many people at a funeral. The streets were full in Brighton because not everyone could fit in the church. It taught me about the key to happiness in life – if there is such a thing. No money in her pockets but she’s rich with love”.
The track serves as the perfect conclusion for ‘In Two Worlds’. Having gone so far from her true self in expanding the boundaries of what it is to fantasise and want, IYAMAH returns to the centre of it all. “I was once told ‘I can’t feel your pain. If you want help, you must help yourself, because only you can truly know where it’s coming from’” she muses. “This could be the tarot reader who it begins and ends with, who I come to for answers, for advice… and yet it was within me all along.”
IYAMAH IN TWO WORLDS TOUR:
Tues 14th May - Leeds - Headrow House
Weds 15th May - Glasgow - SWG3 Poetry Club
Fri 17th May - Manchester - YES (Pink Room)
Sat 18th May - Birmingham - Sunflower Lounge
Sun 19th May - Bristol - Strange Brew
Tues 21st May - London - Lafayette
Weds 22nd May - Brighton - Alphabet
Sun 26th May – London - Cross the Tracks Festival