Hayden Thorpe Explores Dark Territory With New Single ‘Doom Orchid’

In what feels like a natural progression from his atmospheric 2024 album, English singer-songwriter Hayden Thorpe dropped his latest single “Doom Orchid” this Tuesday, January 21, 2025. The track, running just over three minutes, seems to bridge the gap between his earlier work and the more experimental territory he’s been exploring lately.

The timing couldn’t be more fitting, coming on the heels of Thorpe’s widely discussed third album “Ness,” a bold musical interpretation of Robert Macfarlane’s literary work about Suffolk’s mysterious Orford Ness nature reserve. While “Doom Orchid” clearly shares DNA with its predecessor, it carves out its own distinct identity, weaving Thorpe’s signature countertenor vocals through a tapestry of deep, intricate guitar work.

The Kendal-born musician, who now calls Walthamstow, London home, has always had a knack for finding poetry in unexpected places. In discussing the new single, Thorpe reveals how a particularly striking performance at Orford Ness shaped his creative vision. “Performing the album beside a nuclear missile had a profound effect on me,” he reflects. “I came to see the missile as strange phallic totem, not a fertility symbol but the inverse of that, a ridiculous hyper-macho amulet of death.” It’s this kind of unflinching artistic observation that has become something of a hallmark for the 39-year-old artist.

The single delves deep into what Thorpe describes as “our very human dark urges,” examining the complex relationship between destructive impulses and desire. It’s heavy territory, but he navigates it with the same careful consideration that fans have come to expect since his solo debut.

In a thoughtful addition to the release, listeners can access an in-depth conversation between Thorpe and Robert Macfarlane, offering rare insights into their creative partnership. This collaboration will take physical form when the pair share the stage at London’s Kings Place on February 7th, highlighting what promises to be an engaging UK tour throughout January and February 2025.

For those tracking Thorpe’s evolution as an artist, “Doom Orchid” represents another fascinating chapter in a career that’s been anything but conventional. Since stepping away from Wild Beasts, Thorpe has built an impressive solo catalog, including the introspective “Diviner” (2019), the expansive “Moondust for My Diamond” (2021), and last year’s “Ness,” not to mention his compelling 2020 EP “Aerial Songs.”

His distinctive vocal style, which music critics have often described as an acquired taste in indie rock circles, shows the clear influence of artists like Kate Bush and The Smiths, while his lyrics bear the unmistakable imprint of French poet Arthur Rimbaud’s work. What’s remarkable is how Thorpe has managed to synthesize these influences into something entirely his own.

The new single masterfully balances darkness and light, combining more shadowy psychological elements with arrangements that wouldn’t feel out of place in his recent nature-inspired work. It’s a delicate balance, but one that Thorpe strikes with apparent ease.

Fans can find “Doom Orchid” on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. Those interested in following Thorpe’s journey can connect with him on Instagram, X, or YouTube, where he regularly shares updates about his music and upcoming performances.

The upcoming UK tour will offer more than just a showcase of new material; it presents an opportunity to witness an artist who has mastered the delicate balance between innovation and intimacy, suggesting that Thorpe’s most intriguing work may still lie ahead.