Following last year’s piano ballad Innsæi, written for the Netflix documentary film with the same name, Icelandic composer and singer Högni shares a second standalone single, Paradísarmissir, ahead of his European tour. The song title translates as Paradise Lost and was originally commissioned by the Icelandic National Television as the opening theme for a documentary series titled Paradísarheimt, meaning Paradise Reclaimed. The documentary series follows individuals living on the fringes of society, each series focussing on the disenfranchised and those leading alternative lifestyles.

Composed of piano, voice and strings, it is a sensitive play on the 19th century literary classic Paradise Lost by John Milton but, as Högni explains; “The lyric is a collage from the 19th century Icelandic translation of Paradise Lost. However contrary to Milton's grand arc of narrative where "Gods ways are justified to man", the collage is a meditation on intimacy and memory.” Its descending melodic lines lend an emotional rawness to this beautiful, soul-searching twist on the fall of man.

Högni was invited to premiere Paradísarmissir live on RÚV’s Friday night show 'The Week with Gísli Marteinn'.

Two Trains was Högni’s debut album for Erased Tapes, released in 2017 to a flurry of acclaim including a nomination for the Nordic Music Prize, alongside Bjork and Yung Lean. He is currently working on the follow up in-between select live performances joined by a string ensemble.

European dates:

20.03. Palac Akropolis — Prague (CZ)
23.03. Feinkost Lampe — Hannover (DE)
05.04. Cesis Concert Hall — Cesis (LV)
16.05. Zeiss-Großplanetarium — Berlin (DE)

· listen to Paradísarmissir

· book tickets for the tour

· order Two Trains on LP/CD/DL