"Every now and again you’re fortunate enough to discover a rare and beautiful jewel in the musical wilderness and the debut album from Gothenburg quintet Koi is most certainly one. Starting out originally as a metal band, and then realizing the advantages of not being restricted by musical boundaries, Koi’s music can loosely be described as ‘prog’ which, yes, is a broad and overly used term, but what they’ve essentially done is create their own entirely unique and fresh approach to the genre, taking some apparent elements of inspiration from perhaps the likes of Opeth, Pain of Salvation and Porcupine Tree, adding it to exceptional musicianship, writing and song-structure and ending up with one of the most intriguing and addictive albums I’ve heard since Leprous’ ‘Tall Poppy Syndrome’ and Riverside’s ‘Out of Myself’. I think it’s also a telling sign, in this i-Pod age of listening to music on-the-go or whilst you’re busying yourself with something, when you feel utterly compelled to actually sit down with a decent pair of headphones, give an album your full attention for its duration and really immerse yourself in it, which is exactly what ’In Tomorrow Hid Yesterday’ compelled me to do; and seriously, it’s well worth it. Opening track ‘The Rabbit’ sets the scene for the album perfectly, with its exquisitely lush, multi-layered and almost shoegaze-esque wall of sonic tapestry, leaving you instantly hooked, as it slowly fades into ‘Woodnote’, a gentler track with multiple vocal harmonies and cello that broods and morphs into a later heavier section with chugging polyrhythmic guitars overlaying delicate keyboard and cello. The subtle variation of styles between the songs on this album and the way they effortlessly weave and flow from section to section and from song to song is truly quite astounding for a debut, and clearly demonstrates not only the high standard of musical proficiency within the band, but also their understanding of songwriting and album creation as an art form in itself. This is perhaps most evident with the initially stark, simple, yet extremely evocative ‘In A World Of A Child’s Mind’, an echoey piano-led piece, overlaid with delicate, fragile vocals and cello, after which sits the heavier ‘Breaking of the Day’, with its almost black metal feel two thirds of the way through, with blast beats and fast picked heavily distorted guitars; and on paper, such a disparate variation in styles probably should not work, but as they maintain the essence of their own style and album style throughout, neither seems out of place. The album ends with a minute-long multi-tonal feedback loop, which may sound an odd way to end such an album but, trust me, it works perfectly, and you could interpret its meaning in a number of ways, but it’s certainly provides a thought-provoking and unique way to end the album. Melancholic it is, but in a hopeful and entrancing way, ‘In Tomorrow Hid Yesterday’ is quite simply a beautiful piece of subtly complex musical art which provides you with more insight into its layers with each listen, and an album that I doubt I will ever tire of. Easily up there with my top 5 albums of 2010, this comes highly recommended and you won’t regret buying it. Koi are destined to go a long way."
Rating: 9,5/ 10
METAL DISCOVERY

"Koi are a five piece outfit out of Gothenberg, Sweden and formed in 2006. A few years before, Patrick Andersson (vocals, guitar) and Markus Mönttinen (drums) decided they wanted to form a band. Through various school projects the rest of the band took shape. Rounding out the line-up are Eemu Ranta (guitar), Joni Kaartinen (bass) and Roberd Palm (keyboards) and guest musician Pia Henoch graces the CD with her excellent cello playing. It should come as no surprise that another fine young band has come from Sweden.
Koi are not a band that play a lot of solos and extravagant instrumental noodling but prefer a more subtle approach. That is not to say they are not a talented band because they really are and considering their age, the musicianship they display on their debut album In Tomorrow Hid Yesterday is very impressive. To my ears this is moody progressive rock although the band has been labeled with the indie prog tag and I suppose that may be justified. All I know is that I really enjoyed listening to this CD.
The band's music is richly textured, relying heavily on atmospheric soundscapes deeply rooted in dense layers of sound, all wrapped in a shroud of melancholia. Although the band display some heavier moments they never venture into progressive metal territory preferring a more subtle approach. The band shows good dynamic range, often adding quiet-like moodier sections from which the instruments are allowed to build up again. It is all quite enthralling as the band has a sound that can be totally absorbing. This is one of those albums that takes time to grow as the subtle nuances may not take hold immediately but if given time there is much to enjoy here. While listening I was reminded of bands like Porcupine Tree, Opeth, Anekdoten and Liquid Scarlett although Koi never get as heavy as some of those bands.
It begins with "The Rabbit" containing nice acoustic guitar and understated keyboards. The vocals are good as Andersson has a fine voice. Clean mellow guitar chords mark the beginning of "Woodnote", featuring lovely background vocals and quieter moments that allows the symphonic touches to shine. The somewhat forlorn sounding "Terminal Souls" has a Porcupine Tree feel with moody keys and synths. The cello is a highlight here and adds richness to the band's sonic palette of sound. The music gently flows into quieter soundscapes before building back up again. The aggressive wall of sound in "Breaking of the Day" has an Opeth meets Porcupine Tree quality and the pretty "In A World of A Child's Mind" has some gorgeous cello and piano work. The eerie sounding "Navigated to the Blank Undrawn" features heavier riffs and swirling synths amidst a restrained industrial beat.
Although this album is a little sad and I would have appreciated one or two uplifting tunes, there is still enough variety here and the music never bored me in the slightest. Lately, In Tomorrow Hid Yesterday has had a steady home in my player and I am reluctant to take it out any time soon. Whether or not bands like Koi are the future of progressive rock, only time will tell. I for one will be following them closely in the months and years to come."
RATING: 4 OUT OF 5 stars
SEA OF TRANQUILITY

"KOI has found inspiration from RPWL and the early Procupine Tree and Pineapple Thief. However, they are not stunned by a total admiration and they have developed their own distintive music, which is sprinkled with a typical Swedish prog angle but also with unmistakable indie vibes. There is a concept of poetry which deals with many fine thoughts and subtle reflections, to which there is not necessarily an answer. Not to take things for granted and appreciate the little things are good thoughts that everyone should practise actively and daily. There are also areas concerning how we have developed from our ancestors, the cave people, and a matter of being the biggest and the strongest. The music of KOI is not the biggest or the strongest but it is a subtle alloy of varied and beautiful moods. Youth withstanding KOI is presenting mature music –good melodies, gorgeous harmonies and exciting moods are more important than solos. Some choose to call it indie prog but the important part is that it sounds so good.
The vocals in “Terminal Souls” have a bit of an operetta quality but it is good, as is the epic song “Less than Abstract”, not to forget “Navigated to the blank undrawn” which has  more “steel legs amd arms” than the others. The vocal harmonies of Porcupine Tree is obviously much admired by KOI and it becomes quite apparent in “The Rabbit”. The album really has a lot of quality, but there is a feeling of a little clip and glue at times. It sounds really good but we would enjoy more of their own ideas. Production is sometimes what we define as somewhat dry although in no way specially bothersome.
It is a fine debut album from an exciting band that will be even better when they rely more on themselves and their abilities."
MERLIN PROG

"Great band, cool music - open your mind."
Rating: 4,5 of 5
PROGGIES

"It’s interesting to see the various new influences entering into the progressive rock genre. After all these years there are still new musical motifs shaping a musical tradition founded on experimentation and blending. I hear this new influence in the debut release from Sweden’s Koi entitled In Tomorrow hid Yesterday. The origins of Koi go back to 2001 and after a myriad of changes the band today consists of Eemu Ranta (guitars), Joni Kaartinen (bass), Markus Mönttinen (drums), Patrik Andersson (guitars, vocals) and Roberd Palm (keyboards, piano). In certain circles the music created by Koi is labeled progressive indie rock. Well; ok, but to my ears it sounds like prog.

There are a total of eleven tracks on In Tomorrow hid Yesterday; two of them are around nine-minutes, four of them around six minutes and some shorter transition pieces under a minute. Suffice to say there is a lot going on here, even if it’s not immediately evident on the first listen. Right off the top let me say the band sounds like a blending of Pure Reason Revolution and Mew. There is a density to their compositions; they’re full of sounds, layers upon layers of sounds. While the vocals are delivered in a kind of dreamy, atmospheric style sometimes sounding like it’s sung in rounds. Again it’s the layers. Now there are many moments where it’s just voice and guitars or voice and piano, so it’s not all a wall of sound, make no mistake. But each track tends to build in intensity and emotion. One moment it’s all light and airy and then slowly almost imperceptibly in changes to something darker, melancholy and charged to tension. For the most part these compositions feel a little more upbeat and bright though.

Some will question the prog credentials of a band like Koi, to which I say, get over it. These guys are exploring some new ground with the new sounds and I think it sounds pretty cool. Give the disc a few spins and I think you’ll come around especially when you start hearing the depth of the compositions. In Tomorrow hid Yesterday has many rewards for those willing to listen."
JERRYLUCKY.COM

"KOI? kikadikoi? KOI is what has meaning in Swedish? Question unanswered.
KOI, a new combo Sweden, released their first concept album about life, about childhood, about the world and people who can not find their identity due to lack of stability.

And how is this presented in their their music?
"Rabbit" is the childhood innocence. Intro to the acoustic guitar before a wall of guitars interwoven with multiplied voices, PORCUPINE TREE is a strong influence throughout the piece, maybe a little too busy except the last ninety seconds with the return of the acoustic guitar.
"Woodnote" much lighter but much more palatable with the appearance of the cello, guitar and more melodic keyboards (especially piano), an instrumental track, one of my favorites on the album .
"Terminals Souls" follows with the acoustic guitar in frontline. A huge presence of keyboards (mellotron samples?), vocal lines reminding of Steven Wilson, drums attending only in the second part of the song in the beautiful and light piece of music..
The fourth track is a cross between the school PORCUPINE TREE and nowdays RIVERSIDE school with a repetitive guitar riff very nicely balanced by a lovely moog solo in the middle section and nice piano in the final.
The title track, second best track of the album accourding to yours truly, raging guitar at first and then subsided with, very rich and melodic keyboards before the resumption of the guitar for a superb solo. Beautiful title that reminds me of the debut album from PURE REASON REVOLUTION.
The following two titles links to together and and is a quiet part bringing a welcomed breath on this CD from our Swedish friends, again with assistance from the cello part in the softening point.
"Breaking of the Day" and "Metamorphosis" are songs written by the drummer Markus MONTTINEN where his instrument dominates the discussion, again with a barrage of guitars in the first part and martial percussion in the second. Not really my preference on the whole cd.
"Swaying to Sleep" serves only as an introduction to the albums big "Less Than Abstract": here you religiously listen without saying anything. A little over eight minutes of pure joy when PORCUPINE TREE copula with SIGUR ROS the voice and rhythmic construction). A musical marvel that flows like a river along a quiet no ... great art that ends with a loan to noisy pre PINK FLOYD "Dark Side Of The Moon".
Swedish gentlemen you have committed a fine album, and yet I'm sure you can still do even"
PROGRESSIVE AREA

"A great debut from this new band out of Sweden. A lot of promise. Solid throughout. Points of reference would be Porcupine Tree, Pineapple Thief and RPWL. By no means is Koi a clone, though. The difference is this sounds a little more indie than the aforementioned bands with that special distinct Swedish sound. When I mention Porcupine Tree, I refer to their Delerium-years from the '90s when they were spacey. Koi rarely move into the metal territory that Porcupine Tree has adopted as of late. So, if you enjoyed your P-Tree without the metal; then this new Koi album is one to check out. One of the better debut albums of 2010. Recommended."
PROG ARCHIVES

"...This makes In Tomorrow Hid Yesterday" really grow on you. It gains strength after every listen. Let's hope these guys can pull together for a long time and can gain experience, because this is a very impressive debut from a very talented band."
PROGWERELD

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