Actress: Karma & Desire – Deluxe Edition (Clear Colored Vinyl) Vinyl 2LP Actress

Actress’ sixth full-length rolls out in no hurry whatsoever; Darren Cunningham seemingly comfortable in his position as the UK’s premier purveyor of challenging and forward-thinking album-length techno music. Many of the tunes seem to exist as a vehicle for the guest vocals, of which there are a slew, waxing and waning for a minute or two before reshuffling the deck and moving on. A ghostly vocal from Zsela lends a cold human touch to the adjacent “Angels Pharmacy” and “Remembrance,” Sampha officially appears on three tunes although his presence reverberates throughout; at times it feels like you’re listening to a new Sampha record with really incredible production and zero crossover aspirations. Actress records follow their own logic; he zigzags from solo piano meditation “Public Life” (featuring Vanessa Benelli Mosell) directly into the damaged arpeggio of “Fret,” into the pillowy sound art of “Loose” (featuring Rebekah Christel) which rapidly shifts into a frenetic jit shockout, then slithers into waterlogged deep house groove “Turin” (featuring Aura T-09) which is generously allowed 7+ minutes to unfurl… we don’t try to understand, we simply stan. Other standouts: “Reverend,” “XRAY,” “Leaves Against The Sky,” “Diamond X.” Deluxe edition is pressed on crystal clear 2LP housed in wide-spined jacket with printed inner sleeves, housed in metallic foil outer bag with Turntable Lab exclusive 12” art print, limited to 100 copies. Recommended.

• Turntable Lab exclusive deluxe edition w/ 12×12″ double-sided art insert
• crystal clear double vinyl pressing
• housed in silver foil metallic outer bag
• printed 12″ sleeve w/ printed inner sleeves
• digital download included
• limited edition of 100
• music label: Ninja Tune 2020

reviewed by departmental dan 08/2020