Photo: Aurelie Scouarnec

Yann Tiersen has shared ‘Caledonian Canal’, a tender and beautiful new single from his forthcoming album, Rathlin from a Distance | The Liquid Hour, arriving on April 4 through Mute. This instrumental piano piece serves as the closing track of Rathlin from a Distance, the album’s first section, which features eight introspective instrumental pieces inspired by Tiersen’s 2023 sailing tour. ‘Caledonian Canal’ represents a moment of calm and self-reflection before the more urgent tone of the album’s second half, The Liquid Hour. Tiersen describes it as “the last station in our quest for identity,” a place of finding strength and preparing to face what’s coming.

Tiersen explains the significance of this transition:

“This song represents the final phase before the Liquid Hour part of the album, where we find the courage to go out and fight. The calm before the storm.”

The album blends acoustic and electronic elements, reflecting Tiersen’s journey of self-discovery at sea, where he embraced sustainability through slow touring practices. Themes of environmental awareness, personal growth, and political reflection run throughout, making it a deeply emotional and timely work.

Now listen to ‘Caledonian Canal’.