Owlie; (right) The Fall comic cover. Pics Courtesy/Trina Gupta. Illustrated by Neelav Ghosh

The concept revolves around the coming-of-age of Kiane — a character Marwah created with her debut album, Soliloquy, in 2017. The story will be released as a 30-page comic book in September this year.

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The album  itself took over six years to come to fruition. The final touch came with the use of Epic Games’ Unreal Engine in the music videos. The software has been used to create immersive experiences in video games such as Final Fantasy VII and Batman: Arkham Knight. The result is a fantasy tale that adds another dimension to Komorebi’s sound.

Marwah explains, “My favourite art form has always been immersive; one that allows you to escape reality.”

If it feels like an evolution, the songs certainly express it. The first single captures the sense of letting go and growing up — not unlike an anime transformation. “The song was written six years ago. It was personal and reflective of my journey,” she observes. The inspiration for the soundscape comes from the ’90s icons of Bjork and Radiohead. There is also a touch of the Gorrillaz — a favourite, she says — in her blend of the visual and sonic style. “The new record is not purely electronic. It branches out into live music. You will hear elements like guitar, strings and orchestral sounds,” she points out.

With the second single set to release in August, Marwah hopes the story of Kiane might evolve further. She reveals early talks with Apple on creating a video game along its lines. “Although I will stick to music, if the IP grows on its own, I would not put a brake on that,” she states emphatically.

Log on to I grew up on Spotify; YouTube

Comic art on play

“For people who grew up with comics, it is a beautiful and nostalgic medium,” says Marwah, describing her comic, The Fall. Conceptualised by Trina Gupta and illustrated by Neelav Ghosh, the art work is influenced by the ’90s anime style with a touch of the Cartoon Network pop, the musician adds. “We carry those memories forward into adulthood. Comics and games got me through every difficulty I had as a child,” 
she adds.

My favourites
. Video games: Hollow Knight, Horizon Zero Dawn, God of War, World of Warcraft
. Anime: Berserk, Naruto Shippuden, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Death Note.