Irish composer and producer BK Pepper unveils his highly anticipated second album ‘Pagan‘, released today, April 24th via London-based label Bigo & Twigetti. Marking a bold evolution from his acclaimed debut ‘Territories‘, the new record expands both sonically and thematically, cementing Pepper’s reputation for deeply cinematic and emotionally resonant work.
Early critical response has been strong, with The Irish Times awarding the album ★★★★, further highlighting Pepper’s growing stature both at home and internationally.
Serving as the emotional core of ‘Pagan’, ‘Brother Sister‘ captures the album’s exploration of connection, identity and belonging. Built around a striking performance from Icelandic violinist Viktor Orri Árnason, the track balances fragility and tension, pairing exposed vocals with raw, expressive strings.
Pepper says of the track: “Brother Sister is about the bonds we are born into and the ones we choose. It explores the idea that family is not only blood, but shared experience, shared struggle and shared belief. Viktor Orri Árnason’s strings brought a raw and fragile honesty to the track, and I kept the vocal delivery very exposed to reflect that vulnerability. There is tension in it, but also deep loyalty. It feels like a conversation between closeness and distance, which is something many of us recognise in our own relationships.”
On ‘Pagan’, Pepper explores systems of belief — religious, political and personal — and what happens when they begin to fracture. While ‘Territories’ introduced listeners to his atmospheric and introspective style, ‘Pagan’ broadens the scope, becoming more outward-looking and confrontational in its themes.
The album was recorded with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, The Glasshouse Ensemble and Viktor Orri Árnason, moving fluidly between sweeping orchestration and intimate, layered textures. This interplay creates a sound world that feels both collective and deeply personal.
At its core, ‘Pagan’ questions how identity is shaped in a time of increasing division, and whether shared humanity can still be rediscovered amidst competing beliefs and narratives.
Album: ‘Pagan’ – Out April 24th
Focus Track: ‘Brother Sister’
Label: Bigo & Twigetti
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