Memorial have shared ‘Rest (& be thankful)’, their second release on Ólafur Arnalds’ OPIA Community and the latest preview of what is set to be a busy year for the Brighton duo.
Featuring Irish singer-songwriter Niamh Regan, the track emerged from a period of exhaustion and reflection, shaped by the pressures of touring, writing, and the steady accumulation of everyday life. Its title was inspired by a visit to Scotland’s Rest and Be Thankful valley, a place that came to symbolise a necessary pause amid the noise.
Built around a driving rhythm, layered harmonies and atmospheric guitar work, ‘Rest (& be thankful)’ balances intimacy with scale, moving between folk, indie and cinematic textures. Regan’s voice sits at the centre of the song, adding warmth and clarity to its themes of uncertainty, intuition and release.
Memorial, comprising Jack Watts and Oliver Spalding, recently joined Arnalds’ OPIA Community and first introduced the partnership with the single ‘Teeth’. With ‘Rest (& be thankful)’, they continue to expand their harmony-rich sound while hinting at more music to come.