The centrepiece of Ólafur Arnalds' new album will be two semi-generative player pianos

The Stratus Pianos are two self-playing, semi-generative player pianos which are triggered by a central piano played by the Icelandic composer, musician and producer. The custom-built software is born out of two years of work by the composer and audio developer, Halldór Eldjárn. As Arnalds plays a note on the piano, two different notes are generated by Stratus, creating unexpected harmonies and melodic sequences.

“This is my breaking out-of-a-shell album," Arnalds says. "It’s me taking the raw influences that I have from all these different musical genres and not filtering them. It explores the creative process and how one can manipulate that to get out of the circle of expectations and habit.”

The record will also feature a string quartet, synths, electronics, live drums and a string orchestra recorded at London’s Air Studios and is preceded by a new track "unfold" with SOHN on voacals.

Arnalds is currently on a huge worldwide tour – performing over 40 shows, after having recently sold out London’s Royal Albert Hall.