Olga Dikajee Karpova – The Frame | Progressive Rock Central.com

The wait is over for Dikajee’s latest album, “The Frame!” I have been anticipating this album for quiet a while, and I’m happy to report that it will be released on November 6^th. The album will be released independently, but Dikajee has a lot of support behind her for this sophomore album.

“The Frame,” is the second studio album by Dikajee, the Russian-born, UK-based multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer, and producer, whose genre-defying music bridges progressive rock, folk, classical music, and metal. Her first album, “Forget-Me-Nots,’ was also a great genre-bending album which helped inspire progressive rock musicians to add to their musical vocabulary.

Inspired by the grief of losing her father, the devastation of war, and the heartbreak caused by the destructive legacy of patriarchal systems, “The Frame,” is Dikajee’s most personal and emotionally charged work to date. Through its intricate compositions and powerful storytelling, the album explores loss, resilience, healing, and the search for hope in a fractured world.

“The Frame,” will feature its author Olga Dikajee Karpova, as well as a solid group of collaborators. The promotional campaign began with Dikajee’s first single “Gunpowder,” which was accompanied by an interesting music video, and a direct-to-fan strategy. The song features guest appearances from Varijashree Venugopal (Snarky Puppy), on vocals; and Jonathan Noyce (Archive and Jethro Tull), on bass; Keyboards, mixing and mastering were done by Vikram Shankar (Within Temptation); guitars, by Guillaume Bernard (Klone) and German Vergara (Aisles); and drums by Benjamin Baert.

Olga Karpova said about the “Gunpowder,” video, “It is a story of overcoming the limits of the mind and body. The Blind will see, the Child will light the fires and the Ghost will have a face again. This is the life of a human.”

The album opens with the title track, “The Frame.” It begins with soft keyboards and backing vocalizations from Dikajee. Then, Dikajee sings, “Death is frightening. Frightening everything. Defies the living. While we make history. Death is the enemy. Against you and me. It divides everything.” How true. And having gone through what she just experienced recently, this song is an important song for Dikajee. It is also a good perspective on the event and subject of death. She does frame it well. The keyboards in the middle of the song take you through an almost “Lamb Lies Down on Boardway,” journey which is a wonderful reminiscent trip, that I loved taking, and most progressive rock fans will also appreciate. Later the song takes the listener on a full force progressive rock ride through a full and dynamic soundscape of twists and turns, with great lead bass playing. The keyboards and backing orchestration that complete the song, will surely make you appreciate this progressive rock gift. One of Dikajee’s best prog rock songs yet. Absolutely amazing and a full 7-minute song that will keep you entertained throughout.

“Gunpowder,” is another great song and the album’s first single. It is full of gunpowder, in its lyrics. Dikajee opens with bass and drums singing, “Rain, rainbow ward. Northward passing wilds. Passing lakes of tears. Wounded and shadow-like. Sea wind on my face. Things many, many things. Many, many winds. Will play against your will. If you will. If you dare. In this lake of tears. Not to be a killer whale. Many years ago. I remember though stories never-ending. Forest dies standing as a blind. As a child in adult. As a ghost of life. Phantom of light. In disguise. Days many, many days. Many, many takes it takes to heal. All that aches inside. But this gloomy glowing dancing in the dark. Is my guiding star gunpowder. Many years ago. I remember though. Story never ending forest dies standing.” Varijashree Venugopal joins in to add such profound Indian vocalizations with a voice which rivals Dikajee. Together they make this song one of the best songs of the year. The melody is so uplifting and inspiring it takes you higher with each moment. The innovative piano playing and Varijashree Venugopal singing will stay with you long after the song ends. Thank you Dikajee for introducing me and the progressive rock world to her. The music video which supports this single is full of magic. Hope to hear Varijashree’s voice on many other albums to come. An amazing song, which must have taken years to make, and perfect. That melody is so familiar, and enchanting. The strings are a perfect addition towards the song’s end.

“In The Blink of An Eye,” opens with what sounds like Dikajee and Varijashree vocalizing together to piano and drums. The mood on this song seems much more like a sorrowful song, with lyrics that reflect the immediate effect of losing someone profound in your life, suddenly. The drums and keyboards, along with the electric guitar, create an innovative soundscape to support Dikajee’s voice and vocalizations.

“Home of the Wind,” opens with bold piano notes. Dikajee sings vocalizations as the drums join in, with the bass guitar. She seems to be singing, “Morning tears.” A melancholy sound permeates the soundscape with the electric guitar playing. A violin enters the soundscape with a long solo, before settling in as a backing instrument. The blistering lead electric guitar solo is a wonderful diversion, towards the closing of the song. Today, August 15^th, Dikajee just released a mysterious new music video for this song, and it is very interesting.

“Friar’s Lantern,” opens with soft piano after the powerful guitar solo that preceded, on the last song. Dikajee sings, “The Earth is moving under me. We are extraordinary, aren’t we. Like stardust.” On this song she seems to have a choir supporting her. The drums, guitar, bass and keyboard soundscape rises with the choir as Dikajee leads them on.

“Thrown Ashore,” opens with keyboards and soft drums. Dikajee sings about the ocean. Flute seems to enter this seascape as Dikajee continues to sing, “in a boat and sinking.” The drum playing and keyboards are wonderful. They create an interesting soundscape, along with the flute, bass, synthesizers, strings, and sound effects. A song full of imagination, including almost harp-like guitar chords towards the end.

“How to Human,” opens with pounding piano keys and soft drums. Dikajee sings, “I can feel the tension, and it feels so tight. Never show them how you feel.” The song this music creates is so innovative and different, making this one of the most memorable and intricate songs on the album. Dikajee sings, “Fiddle, fiddle, fiddle, lee dee, someone stole a part of me. Never show them how you feel.” Violins and accordion are added towards the end to fill out a wonderful soundscape.

“Imaginary Doctor,” is full of wonderful strings and woodwinds at its opening. Dikajee sings, “What you feel, is real. What you say, is true.” Another wonderful, dreamy song full of Dikajee’s vocals and vocalizations. The piano, bass, soft drums and breezy feel of the melody are absolutely wonderful. The wonderful electric guitar solos that join in at the halfway mark of the song are perfectly accented with bass. Soft acoustic guitar replaces the electric guitar, as Dikajee rejoins to create a summer, Caribbean- like, atmosphere. Yes, just what the doctor ordered.

“Travel Through Time,” opens with soft keyboards and Dikajee singing softly and providing vocalizations. She sings, “I can travel through time. I can buy a ticket to space.” Later German Vergara, plays an electric guitar solo. This song is a wonderful, floating journey through time, as your earphones float on Dikajee’s vocals, with the drums, bass and lead electric guitar. This one is more of a rocker, especially when Dikajee adds a male growling voice to the mix. Parts of the ending reminded me of Steve Hackett’s electric guitar adventures. Thank you for that memory.

“Troin (Outro),” is a mysterious, movie-like, keyboard farewell, complete with fairytale- like bells.

Well, Dikajee Olga Karpova’s new album, “Frame,” sounds like a meeting of Björk and FAUN in the progressive forests of Nottingham. Her new album “Frame,” is everything progressive rock needs, right now. A new direction. A new sound. A new singer. As Monty Python used to say, “…And now for something completely different!” Hallelujah! Renowned, for her extraordinary vocal versatility, Dikajee sings effortlessly and like she has been waiting patiently to play this album for you for years. Her voice does span multiple genres and her music cannot be pigeon-holed into one category. Her music is made for all…everybody. It is full of welcoming sounds and melodies. I cannot hear anything on this album that you would want to miss. It is an album full of surprises and variety.

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