Critically acclaimed British musician Hayden Thorpe has just released his third studio album, Ness, out now via Domino’s Stylus Records. The album, inspired by the mysterious and atmospheric Orford Ness in Suffolk, explores themes of human intervention and nature’s power to reclaim. Ness is a haunting and poetic reflection, with Thorpe’s distinct countertenor voice adding an ethereal layer to the record’s evocative soundscapes.
The album draws inspiration from Robert Macfarlane’s book of the same name and weaves in natural elements from the Ness environment, such as the use of thistles and seeds in its instrumentation. This experimental approach, combined with orchestral arrangements by Propellor Ensemble and choral contributions from Kerry Andrew, delivers an otherworldly listening experience.
Alongside the album’s release, Thorpe has shared the video for the climactic track “V,” which serves as the centrepiece of the album’s powerful sonic narrative. Speaking about the song, Thorpe said: “This song is based around the same Moog Subharmonicon synth line that emerged on day one. Kerry Andrew’s vocal arrangement had me in tears when I first heard it. It was the sensation of something beautiful being rendered from a description of horror.”
To celebrate the release of Ness, Hayden Thorpe has also announced a full UK and Irish tour for 2025, which will see him perform in intimate venues across the country. The tour follows his previously sold-out Ness Speaks performances at Orford Ness and includes special collaborations with Robert Macfarlane at select shows. Tickets for the tour are on sale now.
Hayden Thorpe 2025 UK & Irish Tour Dates:
- 25th January – Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal
- 26th January – Celtic Connections @ City Halls Recital Room, Glasgow
- 28th January – Music Room, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
- 29th January – National Centre For Early Music, York
- 30th January – Sage 2, The Glasshouse International Centre For Music, Gateshead
- 31st January – The Gate, Cardiff
- 1st February – The Lantern, Bristol Beacon, Bristol
- 2nd February – Blackwell Performance Space, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham (matinee)
- 4th February – Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich
- 5th February – Komedia, Brighton
- 6th February – Storey’s Field Centre, Cambridge (w/ Robert Macfarlane)
- 7th February – Kings Place, London (w/ Robert Macfarlane)
- 7th May – Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival @ The Deer’s Head, Belfast
- 8th May – The Grand Social, Dublin
- 9th May – St Michael’s Church, Manchester
Ness is available to buy on exclusive black Biovinyl (with hand-numbered A4 lyric sheet signed by Hayden Thorpe and Robert Macfarlane), standard black Biovinyl, CD (in partially recycled jewel case) and digitally. Buy: Dom Mart | Digital
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