Jon Hopkins announces new album ‘Ritual’
Fans of ethereal electronica rejoice, for the composer Jon Hopkins has unveiled the details of a brand new full-length album, entitled Ritual. The project is set to be Hopkins’ first solo effort since the lauded 2021 release Music for Psychedelic Therapy. However, knowing Hopkins, it seems fairly unlikely that the two albums will follow the same path.
Hopkins is among the most accomplished figures in the world of electronic music, having created and produced some of the most groundbreaking efforts within the field. From his early days creating 2001’s Opalescent, to soundtracking Monsters and collaborating with Brian Eno, Hopkins has consistently proven himself to be a true original within the world of electronica. It seems fairly likely, then, that Ritual will once again see the composer reinvent the electronic wheel to create something bold and fiercely original.
Of the upcoming album, the ever-cryptic Hopkins shared, “I know what that Ritual is for me, but it will be something different for you. It feels important not to be prescriptive about what this Ritual actually is.”
He expanded, “It doesn’t feel like ‘an album’ therefore – more a process to go through, something that works on you. At the same time, it feels like it tells a story”. The same could indeed be said for most of Hopkins’ work.
Ritual is due to be Hopkins’ seventh solo studio album, adding to his growing body of work which features countless collaborations and production credits. Looking at his career, it seems a wonder that he ever finds time to sleep.
Despite his celebrated work, the composer has attested, “I have no idea what I’m doing when I’m composing. I don’t know where it’s coming from, and I don’t know where it’s going, nor does it seem to matter,” concluding, “I just know when it is finished”.
The new album is set to be released by Domino on August 30th, but there are some opportunities to hear the record before then.
Ritual will premiere at an exclusive listening party at London’s ICA on May 12th, delivered using spatial audio. Glastonbury-goers will also be privy to the new album, with a listening event planned at the festival on the Ambient Stage.
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