Toronto folk singer/songwriter Luka Kuplowsky follows-up 2017’s What Kind of Animal (released under mononym LUKA) with his third release Stardurst – an intimate collection of jazz/folk-tinged songs featuring Kuplowsky’s smooth baritone and existential introspective songwriting. The eleven tracks are set to arrangements that include: guitar, percussion, bass, synth, piano, Wurlitzer, alto sax, flute, trumpet, violin, viola, cello and organ. Stardust also features an impressive set of guest musicians like Evan Cartwright (Andy Shauf, U.S. Girls), Thom Gill (Martha Wainwright, Sam Amidon), Josh Cole (Josh Cole Quartet, Sandro Perri), Felicity Williams (Bahamas), Robin Dann (Bernice), and Brodie West (Broken Social Scene, The Ex). In a statement from Kuplowsky about the album, he writes: “In Stardust, the voice is a planet and the band, satellites in orbit. The songs find their flow in this dance, finding balance not in cohesion but rotation. Similarly, the lyrics are not necessarily narrative or linear, rather they are spheres of thought and contemplation. Verses and choruses circle an idea rather than move towards a foregone conclusion. Let’s extend this metaphor further in another direction. Stardust is indebted to the creativity of Joni Mitchell, Arthur Russell, John Trudell, and Ryan Driver (among others). Think of influence not as a mask or screen, but also an ORBIT. You gotta create your own gravity, or else you’re just drifting.” Notable tracks include: the hazy opening track “Do I Have to Be”; the tender love song “Never Get Tired (of Loving You)”; the saxophone-tinged title-track; the jazz/spoken word single “City by My Window”; the driving rhythmic track “Positive Push”; the catchy “Crazy Love”; and the slow-burning closing track “Be New.” Luka Kuplowsky’s Stardust is an excellent contemplative and cinematic yet unhurried jazz-folk album. This album has been on heavy rotation a bunch lately and is a very satisfying listen. – Written by JFelton
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