Memorial have released their new album Jera today via Ólafur Arnalds’ OPIA Community, alongside The Lightness, a collaboration with composer and pianist Dustin O’Halloran.
Closing the album, The Lightness pairs Memorial’s vocals and acoustic instrumentation with O’Halloran’s piano and strings. The track was written in the aftermath of a personal betrayal and centres on themes of grief, forgiveness and acceptance.
Memorial first performed the song with O’Halloran at Sounds From a Safe Harbour, before recording the final version for Jera.
The album is Memorial’s first release on OPIA Community. It was recorded at Arnalds’ studio in Reykjavík and later completed at Clockwork Owl Studios in Brighton with producer Tim Bidwell. Jera takes its name from the 12th rune of the Elder Futhark, traditionally associated with the year, harvest and cycles of change.