Jon Hopkins has teamed up with NASA for a new single called ‘Forever Held’. The song includes string arrangements by Icelandic multi-instrumentalist Ólafur Arnalds and was specifically created for NASA’s Space for Earth immersive experience, now available to the public at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, DC. You can listen to the track below.
‘Forever Held’ draws inspiration from love letters written by NASA’s creative director, artist Erica Bernhard, from Earth to space. Hopkins explained in a press release, “I took this opportunity to create a full orchestral piece. I wanted to make something timeless that would convey the sensation of being ‘held’ by the Earth. I was reflecting on the fragility and power of our planet, as well as the human race’s impact on its own fate.”
Bernhard, who also directed the music video for the song, added, “Space is not just a backdrop to human existence, but a dynamic dimension. There are invisible connections occurring between Earth and the NASA satellites observing our planet. The view from space provides a profound shift in perspective – astronauts refer to this as the overview effect. Hopkins’ compositions capture that shift, infusing sound with the vastness of space while grounding us in the essence and rhythms of life on Earth. His soundscapes serve as a bridge between these realms, translating the awe and wonder of space and Earth into a sonic and immersive journey that prompts us to contemplate our place in the universe and our duty to the planet.”
Prior to its release, Coldplay used ‘Forever Held’ as the intro for their latest album, Moon Music. In addition to his album Ritual released earlier this year, Hopkins has also contributed to Charli XCX’s Brat, offering a completely different yet still bratty sound.