Up

Two decades into a career that began by defining the Asian Underground scene, Karsh Kale's work has continued to develop into ever less predictable sounds. From tabla-heavy techno to Hindustani-infused soft-rock, his relentless experimentation has seen him recognised as a pioneer of fusion music – and the weight of this expectation following his last EP prompted a crisis of musical identity. It's entirely characteristic of Kale that this crisis has resulted in one of the best albums of 2016.

Up is a reflection on a lifetime of moving from project to project, from country to country. Its unique songs together form a cohesive expression of the thrills and fears, uncertainty and momentary tranquillity amid constant motion. The title-track mixes elements of prog rock with sitar riffs. It's nestled between ‘High’, the exhilarating sonic equivalent of a plane taking off, and the fast-paced ‘Butterfly Effect’, featuring Ankita Joshi's heart-wrenching vocals and Sabir Khan's sarangi. The contrasts are striking: Sa DingDing's bass-heavy ‘Play (ElectricTablaNights Mix)’ is followed by the sombre tabla solo ‘Be Like Water’. But a common sound underpins the album, which is alternately restless, tired and hopeful. World-class artists feature on stripped-down indie rock and crescendo-climbing cinematic works alike, and not a single track is anything less than exceptional.