Six Lethargies

Six Lethargies marks a radical departure for Keaton Henson, moving from his established identity as a lo-fi singer-songwriter into the world of formal contemporary classical composition. Commissioned by the Barbican and performed by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the album is a six-part (plus one interlude) symphonic exploration of the artist's own struggles with mental health and social anxiety. Unlike his previous work, Henson is entirely absent as a performer, choosing instead to communicate through complex string arrangements. The album is notable for its use of bio-feedback during its live premiere, where the lighting was controlled by the heart rates of the audience. Critically, it has been praised for its emotional bravery and its ability to bridge the gap between indie-folk vulnerability and the rigorous structures of modern minimalism. It stands as a singular achievement in his catalog, proving his compositional depth beyond the guitar.