Album Review—Kuruvinda

Embracing the Radiance of Imperfection Through the Harp’s Voice

Kuruvinda, Kirsten Agresta Copely’s ten-track collection, is a bold and profound exploration of the human experience, embracing imperfection as the truest expression of beauty. Composed in the wake of personal loss, the album draws its name from the Sanskrit word Kuruvinda, meaning an imperfect ruby—a symbol of flawed brilliance. Grammy-nominated harpist Kirsten Agresta Copely channels her grief into music that celebrates the uneven edges of the human self. More than a set of instrumental tracks, the album invites us to accept our flaws and recognize them as essential to our inner radiance.

Each composition creates an introspective space to explore the darkness and light we all carry. The music is soothing yet transformative, gently guiding us through grief and acceptance while nurturing deeper self-compassion. Every track reflects a different facet of the symbolic ruby, tracing a journey from vulnerability to clarity. I would call this album an ode to emotional honesty, as captured in her own words: “Kuruvinda is my way of honoring the tender places we usually try to hide.”

The Artist

Kirsten Agresta Copely’s artistic journey is nothing short of remarkable. Her classical mastery enables her to create music of impeccable precision, while her extraordinary versatility allows her to transcend stylistic boundaries and establish a distinctive voice beyond genres and conventions. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and for world leaders, including President Barack Obama and Queen Rania. Alongside her solo work, she has collaborated with icons such as Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Enya, and The Who. Her harp has featured in major film and video game soundtracks, from Sex and the City 2 to Star Wars: The Old Republic. Beyond performance, she has served as a professor at Vanderbilt University, is a voting member of the Recording Academy, and mentors the next generation of harpists.

Copely’s discography reflects a creative evolution marked by depth and innovation. Her albums—Dream World (2001), The Covers Album (2019), Around the Sun (2020), and the Grammy-nominated Aquamarine (2023)—have collectively garnered over 12 million streams and earned a place in regular rotation on SiriusXM Spa. Her career is a powerful testament to the harp’s enduring relevance in contemporary music. As both innovator and guardian of tradition, she continues to expand the instrument’s emotional and cultural reach on prestigious stages and across global streaming platforms alike.

The Creative Process

Kuruvinda is both expansive and intimate in its composition. Copely has composed and performed every track herself, fully unleashing the harp’s dynamic range across the album. Each piece is recorded using only the acoustic harp, without the addition of keyboards or synthesizers in order to preserve the instrument’s natural and emotional purity. Recorded at Casa Copely in Brooklyn, with engineering by Angie Teo and mastering by Maria Rice, the album’s acoustic clarity becomes its defining feature. This choice allowed her complete creative control, enabling the music to reflect her artistic vision with profound clarity. Every note, born from noble intention, is also grounded in the mindfulness and contemplative stillness of the artist who has learnt to come to terms with her own story.

Track-by-Track Reflections

1. Shadow Light

The opening track sets the tone for the dualities which Copely wishes to explore. Delicately shifting between sombre lower registers and luminous highs, this song evokes the dance between darkness and light, creating a sense that something hidden for so long is emerging into view.

2. Ratnaraja

Named after the “king of jewels,” this track sounds both majestic and vulnerable. Cascading arpeggios suggest inner strength alongside the delicate process of becoming. The rhythm moves in close alignment with stillness, reinforcing the composition’s meditative character.

3. Kuruvinda

As the emotional centerpiece of the album, this track glistens with transparent honesty. It embodies the spirit of the imperfect ruby, reminding us that its beauty lies not in polish but in soulful truth.

4. Intertwined

A quiet meditation on connection, this track delicately weaves melodic threads that echo the bonds we share. Its phrasing mirrors human relationships—moving through moments of drift and alignment, ultimately arriving at gentle harmony.

5. Wordless Voice

This track transcends the limits of language, with Copely’s phrasing articulating a private truth communicated through vibration, not words. In the sacred space it opens within us, we hear the voice of silence.

6. Quiet Core

Strongly contemplative in character, this piece centers the listener in stillness. The harp takes on a subtle percussive quality, gently guiding us back to the essence of who we are.

7. Samskara

Titled after the Sanskrit word for emotional impressions, this track balances melancholy and hope. Its layered textures evoke the complex nature of memory—unresolved, intricate, and deeply human.

8. Threadline

The notes of this song feel light and flowing, like a river. This piece bridges the gap between our inner reflection and acceptance. The beauty of this melody lies in its movement, like a stream committed to finding its path.

9. Untold Story

This track carries a tender sense of yearning. The harmonies reach toward resolution while honoring their own mystery. It invites us to reflect on the silent narratives we carry—those never spoken, even to the ones closest to us.

10. Samtosa

Meaning “contentment,” Samtosa closes the album with a sense of graceful release. It arrives like a soft benediction—peaceful, whole, and quietly affirming the journey the album has taken us on.

Take Away

As a listener and reviewer, I found the songs of Kuruvinda profoundly moving. Each track feels like a mirror, helping us understand our own imperfect edges and reminding us that our flaws are not liabilities but gifts. A product of Kirsten Agresta Copely’s sincerity and quiet strength, this album offers music that honors vulnerability and gently invites transformation. If you seek an authentic, restorative journey, I highly recommend Kuruvinda. These songs are sure to stay with you long after the final note has faded.

Listen on Spotify: