What’s that? Flute-led symphonic bubblegum prog from Ukraine? Yes please. For anyone other than devotees of the symphonic prog scene (no, me neither usually), Karfagen will be an unusual listen, and are hard to describe. There’s an 80s feel (synthesisers!) – more specifically an 80s cartoon feel – but also slices of 70s rock, hook-heavy pop and Tolkienian forest dwelling nonsense. ‘My Bed is a Boat’ is an uncommonly straightforward highlight: a simple and beautiful ballad. It contrasts nicely with another, more representative, highlight: the complex multiple movements of ‘Dragon Island Suit’ (a ‘song’ that recurs like weaving vines throughout the album in various ‘parts’). This record might drive you nuts, but if you’re in the mood for overblown prog, it sits at the very top of that particular mountain. An upbeat, joyful and always exploratory ride. Great discovery. Think Teddy Ruxpin feeding candyfloss to a unicorn while fronting Jethro Tull.