Orphée by Jóhann Jóhannsson
I’ve mentioned before that the Deutsche Grammophon label carries tremendous weight with me and this unassailable record is fantastic example of why. It’s one of the best modern classical releases of the 21st century thus far. Icelander, Jóhannsson, borrows from great traditions but doesn’t bind himself restrictively to anything. This music is way beyond those 20th C parameters. This is the work of a composer striking out independently to appeal to our comfortable but wistful ways. There’s plenty to read about the inspiration and why the title and so on but to me this is the soundtrack of beautiful glacial waterfalls that only exist because it’s our time to die.