Fresh from this year’s triumph of the Nomadland and The Father soundtracks, illustrious composer and pianist Ludovico Einaudi announces Underwater, his first new solo piano album in 20 years. Underwater was born in lockdown, utilising the rare opportunity for song-writing in its purest and most intimate form: just Einaudi and his piano. It features 12 newly-composed solo piano tracks, beautifully showcasing his unmistakable musical style which is renowned around the world. Last night saw Einaudi tease fans with a sneak preview to his performance video for first single Luminous, which is released today. The album artwork displays one of Einaudi’s own photographs, perfectly encapsulating the feeling of the album.
On the making of Underwater during the pandemic, Einaudi explains: “It came naturally, more than ever before. I felt a sense of freedom to abandon myself and let the music flow differently. I didn’t have a filter between me and what came out of the piano; it felt very pure. The title Underwater is a metaphor – it is an expression of a very fluid dimension, without interference from outside.”
Underwater is a deep dive to another place, where he could swim freely without thoughts, without travel and the usual rush of touring. Here time stops, as these songs without words become hypnotic, each touched with an innocent, delicate beauty.
