If you had Oyster or Siren on repeat in the '90s, here is good news: Heather Nova has a new album out on October 30. The Orchard is a 12-track record on V2 Records, and it sounds like the grown-up, unhurried version of the voice you remember.
How it was made
Nova recorded The Orchard in London over six weeks last winter with producer Tim Bran, whose credits include HAEVN and London Grammar. According to her official site, the album was made mostly by the two of them "throwing ideas back and forth," and the production is meant to feel authentic and natural while still sounding contemporary. It follows Breath and Air, the album she released in February 2025.
Her own description of the record is the best pitch for it. The songs are "strong in melody and rich in poetic imagery," and they go deep emotionally, but "the overriding feeling on this album is one of hope and light and possibility." In a year when a lot of people could use exactly that, it is a nice thing to put on.
The tracklist
The album opens with the title track, "The Orchard," which came out as the first single in June. From there it moves through "The Whole Horizon," "In The Path of Hurricanes," "The Frequency's Higher," "Sleep in Snow" and "New Life," then "A Little Breath," "This Wild World," "Magpie," "I Wish I Had A Mirror" and "On The Train," before closing on "Anchored."
Just reading those titles tells you where her head is: weather, seasons, open space and staying rooted while everything around you moves. Nova has always been good at songs that feel private, the kind you put on when the house is finally quiet, and The Orchard leans into that.
When to play it
This is a Sunday-morning-coffee album, a long-drive album, a first-cold-evening-with-a-candle album. Start with "The Orchard," then skip to "Sleep in Snow." If those two land, the rest will too. Finish with "Anchored," which is exactly the note you want an album like this to end on.
Formats and gifting
Beyond streaming, Nova's official store sells The Orchard on CD, on black vinyl and on a crystal clear and solid turquoise color vinyl, including a bundle with all three plus a signed postcard. For the friend who still buys records, the colored vinyl is an easy holiday gift.
See her live
If you are in the UK or Europe, The Orchard Tour starts January 27, 2027, at London's Tabernacle, then heads to Manchester and Bristol before a long run through the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany. Meet-and-greet add-ons are offered for many dates. The full schedule is on heathernova.com.
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