KAU return with Unknown Waveforms Restrung, a new EP that revisits material from their latest album through the lens of acoustic collaboration. Featuring reimagined versions of cr_eye, isle_of_man and dive_deep, the release was recorded during a live studio session with Cologne based string ensemble blu/quartet. Rather than simple adaptations, these versions offer deeper reinterpretations of the original compositions through newly developed arrangements.
The release expands KAU’s sound by introducing acoustic instrumentation into the band’s signature blend of heavy bass, intricate drum patterns and synthesizers. Classical harmony has long been embedded in the band’s writing, evident in earlier tracks such as Kautokeino and Alaska, making the collaboration with a string quartet feel like a natural progression rather than a stylistic detour. The new arrangements heighten the music’s cinematic quality, amplifying its sense of tension, release and atmosphere.
Each track foregrounds the distinct musical identity of one of the band members, allowing individual approaches to shape the overall narrative of the EP. On lead piece cr_eye, KAU appear at their most dynamic, combining complex drum patterns with a classically informed chord progression. The process of reworking the track opened new creative paths, eventually giving rise to Tränenmeer, a strings only reinterpretation originally featured on Unknown Waveforms and used here as an evocative introduction to the EP.
isle_of_man is built around a descending bass line that recalls the shadowy warmth of late 1990s UK trip hop. Its rich low end and measured pace evoke a strong sense of nostalgia, further enhanced by guest contributions from trumpeter Marthe Van Droogenbroeck and vocalist Mirte Leconte, who add additional layers of colour.
On dive_deep, wide ranging synthesizer textures provide a spacious framework for the expressive capabilities of the string quartet. The track unfolds slowly, drawing the listener into an immersive sound world where electronic design and acoustic resonance exist in careful balance.
True to form, KAU continue to treat their music as an open ended creative laboratory. Driven by curiosity and a commitment to experimentation, the band remain focused on translating these evolving ideas into live experiences, keeping themselves in constant motion.
