Actress Karma And Desire
Future Music|December 2020
Album Review
Ninja Tune
Actress Karma And Desire

A decade and a half on since Darren Cunningham first introduced us to his Actress alias and the UK producer is still raising the hairs on the back of your neck like no other. Having first teased us all with mentions of a new album as far back as 2019, his highly impressive seventh studio album, Karma and Desire now finally makes its long-awaited arrival.

The record is rendered in stunning greyscale, pulling together an array of rhythms. Densely layered and richly atmospheric, the immersive soundscape subtly wraps itself around you and cocoons you into its distinctive world. Paring his music with vocalists for the very first time, Actress enlists the services of Sampha, Zsela, Aura T-09, and Rebekah Cristel, who all turn in memorable contributions. The addition of vocals gives an even deeper emotional impact.

Its breathy, enigmatic vocals bleed into the foggy and hazy productions to further enhance that sense of lost memories, secret desires and regret that lingers throughout Karma and Desire. The addition of Italian pianist and composer, Vanessa Benelli Mosell also adds a feeling of vulnerability and reflectiveness that has a knack of finding its way to the surface of the album and is never far away, even in the record’s more upbeat and upfront moments.

A masterpiece of ethereal, smudged contemporary electronic music that feels at once detached and plugged in emotionally, Karma and Desire is perhaps Actress’ most accomplished work to date. A perfect album for getting lost in, this record will keep pulling you back in when the real world does not feel enough. Tom Jones ADD THESE TO YOUR PLAYLIST:

Remembrance, XRAY, Turin

10/10

Ela Minus

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FUTURE MUSICView all
SONIC DESTRUCTION
Future Music

SONIC DESTRUCTION

From overdriven signal paths to rhythmic malfunctions, there’s plenty of creativity to be found by doing things just a little bit wrong

time-read
10+ mins  |
Autumn 2021
Feed Me
Future Music

Feed Me

EDM producer Jon Gooch revives his cartoonish Feed Me moniker. Danny Turner finds out how the use of live instrumentation changed his production approach

time-read
10+ mins  |
Autumn 2021
Exploring Akai MPC
Future Music

Exploring Akai MPC

Leo Maymind takes a detailed look at an iconic groovebox whose influence helped shape modern hip-hop and much more besides

time-read
8 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Liars
Future Music

Liars

Dissolving the contours of rock and electronics, Danny Turner charts the making of Liars’ 10th album with Angus Andrew and Laurence Pike

time-read
10+ mins  |
Autumn 2021
Jean-Michel Jarre
Future Music

Jean-Michel Jarre

The pioneering musician who introduced generations to futuristic sounds the first time around is at it again. He joins Matt Mullen to talk experiments in VR gigging, spatial audio and more...

time-read
10 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Noise
Future Music

Noise

With roots as far back as 1913, noise is the genre that’s also a state of mind

time-read
4 mins  |
Autumn 2021
1010 Music Bitbox mk2 £549
Future Music

1010 Music Bitbox mk2 £549

Rob Redman finds out whether this updated sampler box of tricks contains any more surprises

time-read
3 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Erica Synths and Sonic Potions LXR-02 £499
Future Music

Erica Synths and Sonic Potions LXR-02 £499

Rob Redman braces himself for another resurrected blast from the past

time-read
6 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Modal SKULPTsynth SE £169
Future Music

Modal SKULPTsynth SE £169

Modal are back with an update to their SKULPT synth. Bruce Aisher takes a listen to see if it can rustle up a big sound

time-read
3 mins  |
Autumn 2021
Reason Studios Reason 12 £399
Future Music

Reason Studios Reason 12 £399

Now in both DAW and plugin realms, Reason gains a sampler and refreshed Combinator. Si Truss investigates

time-read
3 mins  |
Autumn 2021