This 2016 album is actually a bringing together of the two 2015 EPs 'The Seas & The Stars' and 'Future Sounds'. So, if you have both then you have no real need to get this, but of course if you haven’t then this is an easy way to get them both on a single CD! The first six songs are from the first EP, which according to Richard "chronicles the collision between the Andromeda galaxy and our own Milky Way, the eventual end of everything, a celestial intervention and a return to where everything began - viewed from an impossible, empty shoreline." I couldn't have put it better myself. Here, Richard provides acoustic, electric, classical, prepared and bass guitars, keyboards, melodica, accordion, kalimba, Appalachian dulcimer, rastrophone, bouzouki, glockenspiel, percussion, while Ileesha gives us some of her stunning vocals, and Amy Fry assist with clarinet, alto saxophone and flute. I have found this one of Richard's more difficult releases to write about, as each time I try to write about it I find myself spending way too much time listening to it and not enough time capturing any words! Having the words above saying what this EP is about is a great help, as on this release, as with much of KE's output, this is incredibly visual, and I find myself playing a film in my head while listening to this. One unusual aspect is that Ileesha sings some words, whereas normally her vocals are wordless and eerie, but they fit with the very science fiction feel of the whole piece. This may only be some twenty minutes long, but within the layers and depths the majesty and hypnotic style takes the listener to a far different place.
The second half of the CD is the ‘Future Sounds’ EP, and here Ileesha features with her wonderful haunting vocals on one number, clarinetist Amy Fry appears on two and drummer Paul Sears on another, but for the most part this is just Richard and whatever instrument he believes is right for the moment. I have long said that Richard is one of our greatest modern classical composers, with more than a hint of film music about what he does, and this is even more cinematic than normal. There is an incredible amount of space within the music, and a haunting ethereal edge that reminds me a lot of some of Roger Eno's work. It is deeply compelling, and is a world where the dominant instrument is a slightly phased poignant electric guitar that is both beautiful and disturbing at the same time. As always with Karda Estra, this is music that really does benefit from being played on headphones: it is important to pay full attention to what is being played, as only then will the listener fully understand the complex yet simplistic world. I can imagine being lost in space, wondering at the majesty of the stars, with this being played as the backdrop, Cinematic, enthralling, beguiling, beautiful Karda Estra.
I gave both EP’s top ratings when I reviewed them independently before, so how can I do anything different when reviewing them together? Richard consistently produces some of the most important music coming out of the UK, and I urge anyone who hasn’t heard Karda Estra yet to seek them out immediately if not sooner.
