2012 In Preview: Owen Pallett

Over the next few days we’ll be looking at what’s to come in the year ahead, and picking out some of the releases we’re most looking forward to hearing over the coming months.

Two years ago Owen Pallett released “Heartland”, a record of near unparalleled beauty and ambition which AGCS named our favourite album of 2010. Since then he’s gone on to score 14 Actors Acting for the New York Times, work on string arrangements for the likes of Alex Turner, Duran Duran, and of course Arcade Fire, and given us an excellent EP in the form of “A Swedish Love Story”. In short it’s been a busy two years for Owen, who’s finally seen his immense talent get the critical recognition it deserves, and who could blame him if he decided to have a bit of a rest after that?

Yet despite a seemingly endless scedule of touring, arranging, and recording it seems like there’s no plans to stop any time soon. Whereas some of the articles in our preview of 2012 have been based on little more than wild speculation, Owen’s been pretty open about progress on his next project(s) and the word from the man himself is that 2012 will see new material. From Owen Pallett’s forum:

In terms of “new albums”, I’m in a creative watershed and have a lot of new material that I’m trying to corral into objects. There will be a 2012 release, it will not be a follow up to Heartland. There will be a follow up to Heartland in 2013.

On alpentine.com, the #1 Owen Pallett fan resource, this 2012 release is described as “album-ish” (a phrase I haven’t found evidence of Owen using but will nonetheless accept as gospel). This could mean anything from an EP to a soundtrack to a death metal spin off, but whatever it is I’m already excited to hear it. If it even comes close to the brilliance of “Heartland” I’ll be more than happy.

THE DEETS

Album Title: TBC (Is it even a proper album? Who knows)

Release Date: Unknown

Likelihood: He says it’s happening, so I’d say pretty good.