DIKAJEE – The Frame
self released
The downside of finding a musician who makes an album you adore, but who is doing it all themselves, without the assistance of record company, is that you may have to wait YEARS before hearing any more.
And so it is with Russian-born, UK-based singer and composer Dikajee. Over five blooming years since “ForgetMeNots”. I’m cracking on a bit. Probably don’t have another five years left in me. But I survived long enough for this one, so I’m counting that as a win.
I’m not going to say it’s more of the same, even though it’s very much more of the same, because that would suggest a musician who is repeating themselves. Yes, stylistically, it’s still folk based prog, with hints of baroque’n’roll around the edges, but it’s done so darned well. Which would still be a meh, but the song writing is top quality, throughout.
There are an array of guest musicians helping Мисс Karpova along, something which, hopefully, will help make her name appear in Big Shiny Letters, so you’re getting members / affiliates from Archive, Jethro Tull, Snarky Puppy, Aisles, Pain of Salvation, and many more. But it remains, firmly, about Dikajee.
It’s not a cheery album, framed, as it is, around grief, the devastation of war, and the heartbreak caused by the destructive legacy of patriarchal systems (that’s me that is, but I can take it), so the lyrical focus can be quite crushing. However, with vocals as enthralling as these, you can’t help but be drawn into the material. The latter of which is, often, very intricate but without being off-putting.
The first single (in old money) was ‘Gunpowder’, and it’s an excellent entry point for people new to her music. Progressive without being regressive, with a strong enough melody to make you want to delve deeper. ‘Home of the Wind’ is an early favourite, a song that toys with the notion of ‘rock’ before casting it to the winds. The proggiest number is probably ‘Travel Through Time’, and after the first few listens, it’s my favourite so far. It’s the most traditional sounding prog tune here, and an absolute treat.
One of the best new releases this year and you, yes you, can get this on the Bandcamp.
Watch;
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