In the hands of GRAMMY-nominated harpist Kirsten Agresta Copely, the harp becomes a symbol for deep emotion and reflection. Her latest single, “Kuruvinda,” the title track from her upcoming album, captures grief, resilience, and the beauty of imperfection through a wordless meditation of melodies.
Named after the Sanskrit word for an imperfect ruby, “Kuruvinda” shimmers with the quiet power of vulnerability, resilience, and self-acceptance. It reflects a journey towards embracing the flaws we often hide, reminding us that imperfection is part of our brilliance. It opens simply with a back and forth rhythm between two notes. From there, layers build slowly as delicate melodies rise and fall. The song doesn’t rush, but instead longs. Each note is carefully placed, held, and released with intention, creating a kind of power in patience.
The track carries a thread of hope, something fleeting in a way, but ultimately real. It speaks to the emotions faced and moved through in life’s stages of love, loss, and rediscovery. In doing so, it feels deeply intimate and universal.
“Kuruvinda” marks a new chapter in Copely’s career, a deeply personal one. It was written in the wake of the loss of her mother and emerged as a response to Copely’s 2023 GRAMMY-nominated Aquamarine, which explored serenity. “Kuruvinda” dives into a raw field of shadow and light– what it means to be seen in a full, flawed humanity.
This piece came to me as an answer to questions I was asking myself in grief. It’s about the shadow we all carry, the imperfections we try to hide, and the joy that can rise from embracing it all. Our imperfections are not our shame—they are part of our brilliance.
Kirsten Agresta Copely
By pairing thunderous low-end harp currents with upper-register sighs, Copely creates a sound that is both organic and resonant. The piece was composed during meditation sessions, which have been pillars of strength through her personal healing journey, and mixed by her husband, guitarist-producer Marc Copely, creating a restorative soundscape ideal for listeners in the mental health and wellness spheres.
Copely’s performance is mesmerizing and conveys a certain kind of emotional clarity captured with just one instrument. “Kuruvinda” hooks the listener from the first moment and does not let go. The single offers a glimpse into Copely’s full ten-track album, also titled Kuruvinda, which invites women across generations to “wear their years like jewels.” It’s a timely, graceful lens on authenticity over perfection.
With a résumé that bridges worlds, from solo performances at Carnegie Hall to work with Beyoncé to collaborations on film scores like Sex and the City 2, and Star Wars: The Old Republic, Copely makes the harp feel suddenly modern. She is known for her soul-stirring compositions and illustrious performance career. Copely continues to expand the possibilities of the harp and redefines being a modern composer.
“Kuruvinda” is available to stream on June 27, with the full album arriving on August 1.
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