Max Richter announces new album ‘While The Flood Rages’ with meditative single ‘Now We Can Sing’

The British-German composer is set to release the new album on October 16 via Decca Records. He will team up with choreographer Wayne McGregor for the third time for the album.

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A co-commission between National Ballet Of Canada and the Royal Opera House, the album will be inspired by Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy, which explores how humanity rebuilds itself after a deadly pandemic.

It consists of 15 tracks and three acts, with ‘Now We Can Sing’ acting as its closing track.

Richter began work on ‘When The Flood Rages’ before the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed the album’s development for a number of years. The record is intended to function as its own standalone piece of work, as opposed to a soundtrack.

Take a listen to ‘Now We Can Sing’ down below.

This year, Richter was awarded a CBE in the 2026 New Years Honours list, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to British culture, advocacy and the wider community.

Idris Elba, Cynthia Erivo and Ellie Goulding were among the other entertainment figures included in the 2026 New Year Honours list.

The composer said he was “deeply grateful” for the honour, adding: “The opportunity to spend my life doing what I dreamed of doing when I was a child continues to be an immense privilege, and one I never take for granted.”.

Richter was also celebrated as a music icon for National Album Day this year alongside PinkPantheress and Spice Girls‘ Melanie C.

Speaking about the award, Richter said: “Albums allow ideas the time and space to unfold. They invite a different kind of listening, one that allows for a deeper connection between artist and listener.

That relationship is something I’ve always valued and why I’m glad to support National Album Day as an Album Champion.”.

Richter has scored around 50 movies, recently composing the score for Hamnet from director Chloé Zhao, which recently earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Score.

The movie follows the relationship between William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes after the death of their 11-year-old son Hamnet.

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