Rathlin from a Distance | The Liquid Hour is an album divided into two distinct, interconnected parts, each with its own unique sonic characteristics: Rathlin from a Distance is eight tracks of introspective instrumental piano, The Liquid Hour is an expansive, genre-defying blend of electronic music and psychedelic rhythms.

Rathlin from a Distance named after an island in Northern Ireland features eight instrumental piano pieces, each named after a location Tiersen visited during his 2023 sailing tour. From the Atlantics Fastnet Lighthouse to the Faroe Islands, Shetland, and the tranquil waters of the Caledonian Canal in Scotland, these tracks reflect a journey of self-discovery and self. Tiersens piano work creates an almost hypnotic atmosphere, each stop on the journey marking a deeper level of consciousness. The music evokes a sense of space, introspection, and quiet contemplation.

While Rathlin from a Distance is meditative, The Liquid Hourwhich Tiersen was working on when he decided things needed to be torn downis a bold and urgent musical statement, which opens with an epic, sweeping track that channels Tiersens desire for socialand political change. The inspiration for this section of the album was rooted in Tiersens experiences at sea, particularly a moment when he gazed upon the lights of Belfast, alone at the helm of his sailboat in the middle of the night, after nearly two months at sea. This moment of serenity led to deep reflections on the citys troubled history and its connection to broader political struggles. The expansive sonic palette of The Liquid Hour blends atmospheric ambient music, hypnotic grooves, and striking electronic instrumentation, with the haunting vocals of milie Quinquis adding a powerful dimension to the albums message.

Format / LP
Released /04/04/2025
Catalogue /MUE-863173
Barcode /5400863173722
Artist /Yann Tiersen
Label /Mute U.S.
Genre /Classical