One reason that I love autumn is that it is a reminder of death, in the most beautiful of ways. As the grasses brown, the crops disappear from their fields, and the many leaves change and fall into decay, I am reminded that nothing is permanent. Though I love the verdant and bright greens of life, the inevitable gray takes us all to our eventual decay. In the colorful, crisp hues and temperatures of autumn, I find peace in more melancholy sounds, and today’s beautiful premiere from Italy-based, Russian-born poet/singer-songwriter kariti, who is gearing up to release a new album, titled Still Life on November 7th, 2025 via Lay Bare Recordings. Check out her new single, “Purge” below!
“Purge” may sound autumnal, but soaring above the soft post-rock/shoegaze instruments lies kariti‘s sweet, expressive voice with a positive message, beckoning listeners to purge themselves of self-doubt and live authentically, like Julee Cruise with a punk spirit. Things outside may be dying, but there is no reason to let things like death and social normativity hold you back from living your truest life. ‘You can’t compete/you are complete,’ kariti sings in the refrain, later adding, ‘surrender to what’s meant to be/asphyxiate that voice in me.’ The track’s lush sound is accompanied by a psychedelic black and white collage of plants and mouths and a spine, among other things, resulting in a meditative journey of sight and sound thanks to digital artist, Ashley Tofu.
I first heard kariti on “Minerva’s Obilisque”, the opening track on Bedsore‘s excellent Dreaming The Strife For Love from last year, her voice serving as a welcoming siren to the prog-death that follows. Besides being a frequent collaborator with a myriad of artists and sounds, kariti has two previous full-length albums, Covered Mirrors and Dheghom, making Still Life the next chapter in her growth as a solo artist, saying, ‘These songs are the aftermath of being galvanized into a disillusioned reflection on human life and the way it is lived by most of us in the world in its current state.’ The self titled single offers a more upbeat, piano driven doom ballad. Still Life is shaping up to be well-suited for fans of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Marissa Nadler, Emma Ruth Rundle, Chelsea Wolfe, etc. When it releases in full, it will be a stunning addition to your fall rotation.
You can preorder the vinyl here, and the digital and CD copies from Bandcamp. Be sure to follow kariti on Facebook and Instagram!
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