Snorri Hallgrímsson - I Am Weary, Don't Let Me Rest (2023)

'I Am Weary, Don't Let Me Rest' is Icelandic composer Snorri Hallgrímsson's sophomore LP and it arrives almost five years to the date after his critically acclaimed debut Orbit. A recurring theme on the album is the constant struggle between blissful ignorance and painful awareness. The title is a battle call – that no matter how tiring it gets, staying enlightened is not only our duty but it’s what gives us compassion, empathy, and understanding. The record captures Snorri at his best - moments of heartwrenching melancholia are interspersed with dramatic orchestral swells that somehow always find a hopeful resolution. He is nothing if not honest, giving us an intimate insight into his inner world. The nine gorgeous compositions are arranged for piano, string orchestra, trombone, choir and his haunting falsetto voice. The record is paired with visual art by Leigh Wells - who also provided the covers for his double EP Landbrot - and mastered by our frequent collaborator Martyn Heyne.