American ambient artist Julianna Barwick is set to release her second solo studio album Nepenthe via Dead Oceans on August 12, and we’ve got a first play of her new single, ‘One Half’ – have a listen above.
Barwick’s already released a video teaser of the album, previewing a similarly crystalline song, ‘Forever’ – have a watch at the foot of the piece.
She recorded the album in Reykjavik, Iceland, where she was invited by American musician and producer Alex Somers, Sigur Ros leader Jonsi’s boyfriend. While there, she recruited a host of local musicians, including string ensemble Amiina, mùm guitarist Robert Sturla Reynisson and a female choir.
The title of the album, Nepenthe, refers to the drug of forgetfulness that appears in ancient Greek literature, which was used to erase grief and sorrow, pertinent to Barwick’s mood during the making of the album when she experienced a death in her family, finding solace in music.
She’s playing a few live shows on these shores in the coming months, including a performance at the Southbank for Meltdown tonight, a just-announced show at St. Giles’s Church in London on August 29 and a slot at the End Of The Road festival on September 1.
