Hayden Thorpe announces a new EP, Aerial Songs, due for release on October 16, via Domino Records. Alongside news of the album, the singer/songwriter has shared the lead track, “Blue Crow”. Where his debut solo album, Diviner, dealt with Hayden’s experience and solace in digital mysticism, Aerial Songs sees an evolution into the “digital pastoral”—an intentionally romantic sonic echo of the heritage and wonder of the natural environment. This is a collection of songs with the Lake District at its heart; Hayden’s own Cumbrian folk psychedelia.

Aerial Songs was written and self-produced by Hayden with additional production work from Nathan Jenkins (aka Bullion), long-time collaborator Richard Formby and 4AD producer Fabian Prynn. Originally composed as part of Hayden’s time as artist in residence at Aerial Festival, an arts, music and performance event due to take place in his native Cumbria, today’s announcement comes on the eve of the festival itself, which kicks off on Saturday, September 26.

Hayden notes: “Since my first broody teenage attempts to make music and beyond into gradually becoming an adult concerned with making decent music, I’ve found the prospect of making work about the Lake District an off-puttingly daunting task. I’ve always felt ill equipped to even nearly match the enchantment of being within the fells.

I wouldn’t say I’m any better prepared now, it might just be that I can perhaps more precisely distil the vital affirmation I feel in the mountains. Maybe it is that I am, by now, far enough away from the blast radius of a frustrated rural youth shit show to get clear headed and attempt it.”

Hayden Thorpe
Aerial Songs
tracklist
Domino Records

1. Blue Crow
2. Head On A Platter
3. Set It Loose

Hayden Thorpe’s debut solo album, Diviner, is out now. He will be playing select dates in Europe this fall; dates and tickets via https://www.divinerdiviner.com