Darren Cunningham broke from his solitude by collaborating with the London Symphony Orchestra for LAGEOS, and doesn't return to his previous state for his follow-up Actress LP, Karma Desire. He works with other instrumentalists, calls up real live vocalists for the first time, and applies their input in a variety of ways. The producer seems least hands-on with "Public Life," a searching solo piece played by pianist Vanessa Benelli Mosell that sounds like it was recorded in a drafty attic rather than a clinical studio setting. At the other end, Zsela's whispered announcements, streaked across the heady and equally airy house track "Angels Pharmacy," could be misheard as another one of Cunningham's obscured samples. Most striking are three manifestly collaborative tracks with trusty warbler Sampha, all with ghostly piano, intensifying with the trudging "Many Seas, Many Rivers," and culminating with the electro-folk hybrid "Walking Flames," which is actually kind of arctic and somehow pacifying. Considering the number of warm bodies involved in the album's making, it'd be easy to say that this is the most human and least esoteric Actress release, but these qualities are also evident when Cunningham is either operating solo or has less detectable company. "Turin," one of two physical collaborations with Aura T-09, whisks and slaloms like a prime Force Tracks production through an industrial park of Hypercity. "Loose" starts with a weary fake-out before breaking into carnivaleseque jit. Tracks unloading Actress trademarks like clinking and swarming FX ("Diamond X") and fitful kick-drum jabs ("Leaves Against the Sky") are more alluring and welcoming than usual. Six years after he etched a headstone for music, this enigma has made the easiest point of entry into his catalog. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi

1		Fire and Light
2		Angels Pharmacy
3		Remembrance
4		Reverend
5		Leaves Against the Sky
6		Save
7		VVY
8		XRAY
9		Gliding Squares
10		Many Seas, Many Rivers
11		Loveless
12		Public Life
13		Fret
14		Loose
15		Turin
16		Diamond X
17		Walking Flames