LA, California, USA; Athens, Greece; 15 October 2026: Ethereal gothic artist and vocalist for legendary acts such as Faith and the Muse and Strange Boutique, Monica Richards returns with her fourth studio album “Hiraeth”. Set to be released via The Circle Music on vinyl and CD on 12 February 2027, this will be Monica’s first new solo release in fourteen years.
Monica Richards has created a profoundly ethereal world within the music of “Hiraeth”, transporting listeners from somewhere deep within themselves to other worlds and ages. Of Welsh origin, the word “Hiraeth” resists any simple translation. It speaks of a feeling of nostalgia, loss, longing and melancholy; of the desire to return to something to which we may no longer be able to return. “Hiraeth” is a deeply personal album, journeying through Monica’s own life memories, her childhood dreams, her life struggles alongside worldwide mythological themes. It combines Monica’s celebration of human art and music, our thousands of years of connection to Nature and the idea that, at this period of time, we must all reconnect to ourselves, to each other and back to Nature.
“Hiraeth” consists of nine songs, primarily centred around variations of a melodic motif that Monica has had in her head since she was a child. The music, its melodies and counter melodies, hits like waves. Every song connects to the leitmotif: from her opening vocals in “Horae: Thallo”, to the bass in “Sand and Line”, from the heavenly guitar in “Horae: Eirene” to the backup voices in “Spirit Night”. “Hiraeth” is also a celebration of Monica’s voice, with most of the songs full of multiple harmonies in her signature vocal style. The album is rich with the diversity she is known for, from tribal rhythms to rock anthems, from spoken word to dozens of soaring voices.
Monica co-produced the record with Chad Blinman. Blinman mixed the tracks at The Eye Socket studio in Massachusetts, and Josh Sebek mastered the final audio. Blinman also provided drums and string arrangements on several songs. The project includes guest performances from her Strange Boutique bandmates Dennis Kane and Steve Willett, as well as Neil Mckay (guitar), Steve Niles (bass and guitar), Cindy Coulter (bass), Brandon Hayes (guitar), Greg Scott Cruz (guitar), Paul Mercer (viola), Marzia Rangel (cello), Patty Ashara Hele (vocals) and Anthony Roumanis (vocals).
The album is available for pre-order now via The Circle Music. The label will release two vinyl variants strictly limited to 250 copies each: a magenta or turquoise coloured gatefold LP featuring cover art designed by Monica Richards. A CD version limited to 1,000 copies comes housed in a digipack with an eight-page booklet and includes four exclusive remix tracks. The CD format will also be distributed in the USA through Monica Richards’ own label.
Pre-order: https://thecirclemusic.gr/product-category/distributed-stuff/?filter_artist-name=monica-richards
Monica Richards said: “I began writing the songs for HIRAETH years ago, but wasn’t able to really begin recording until 2024. I am so deeply grateful to Maria and The Circle Music for their support and belief in me as I took this journey. I’m excited for everyone to hear the album!”
The Circle Music added: “The fourth solo album from the voice of Faith and the Muse and Strange Boutique sounds unlike anything she has given us before. There are, inevitably, moments in which distant echoes of Faith and the Muse can be felt (“Connasci”, “Spirit Night”) or shadows of Strange Boutique briefly emerge, as in “Sand and Line”. Yet Hiraeth ultimately leads the listener somewhere entirely new: into a musical world Richards has been quietly shaping for an entire decade, and which she now, at last, proudly places in our hands.”
Monica Richards online
Website: https://www.monicarichards.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monica.richards.94/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MonicaRichardsFanpage/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/infrawarriorchannel
Bandcamp: https://monicarichards.bandcamp.com/music