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Kraus Unveils Eleven-Track Album Water Music, Announces Auckland Release Event
Kraus, the New Zealand experimental musician known for pushing the limits of sound‑scapes, released his latest album Water Music on 9 September 2026. The 11‑track record follows his 2024 releases Crystal Motors and the live Alien Soundtrack performances, and it continues his exploration of the Elektron workflow and a hi‑fidelity black‑box production style.
Water Music is available for download and streaming on Bandcamp, where the artist has also issued a cassette edition. In Europe and Scandinavia, cassette copies will be distributed by Artsy in Finland. Fans can pre‑order the album through Kraus’s website, which lists the release date and the cassette option.
The album’s liner notes, written by Jon Bywater, describe the work as evoking “worlds in which nature is miniature and intimate, technology soft and fluid, and the uncanny gentle rather than frightening.” Bywater’s commentary frames the record as a continuation of Kraus’s interest in blending organic and synthetic textures.
During the creation of Water Music, Kraus cited a range of influences, including the traditional Japanese story The Bamboo Cutter’s Tale, Enya’s Castle, Francesco Cavaliere’s album Alata Onda, and the sound of sparrows in a bird feeder. He also mentioned Finland, synthetic flutes and bongos, George A. Romero’s 1977 film Martin, Planetary Peace, a mysterious blue‑dome cover painting, Japanese gardens, Madalyn Merkey’s Puzzle Music, and a desire to live in a forest with elves.
A release event is scheduled for 19 September at the Audio Foundation in Auckland. The event will feature a live performance by Kraus and a special guest appearance from Half Sister, a trio comprising Hermione Johnson, Gary Sullivan, and Greta Anderson. Tickets for the event are being sold through UTR, and the event is promoted on the artist’s Instagram account.
Kraus’s website notes that the album was recorded, mixed, and produced by the artist himself, with Matt Gunn credited for additional performance and mixing contributions. The album’s release is part of Kraus’s ongoing output, which has been described by critics as “hitherto unimagined sound‑shapes” and “a true original.”
UnderTheRadar, an independent music news website that has covered New Zealand music since 2004, reported the album’s release and the upcoming event. The site encourages readers to support its operations through donations, noting that contributions help keep the platform running.
Water Music’s 11 tracks are: 1. Home in the Mountains 2. The Floating World 3. Bubble Blue 4. Crystal Farmers 5. Century of the Elf 6. The Woodcutter’s Tale 7. Pure Waters 8. Four Sparrows and a Bee 9. Princess from the Moon 10. River Ear (The Curtain) 11. (unnamed)
The album’s release aligns with a broader trend of experimental electronic artists releasing physical media, such as cassettes, alongside digital formats. Kraus’s choice to offer a cassette edition reflects a niche market that values analog sound and tangible collectibles.
The release event on 19 September will provide an opportunity for fans to experience Water Music live, with Kraus performing the material in its entirety. Half Sister’s participation adds a collaborative dimension, as the trio has previously worked with Kraus on live shows.
In summary, Water Music is a 2026 release by New Zealand experimental musician Kraus, available on Bandcamp and in cassette form. The album’s 11 tracks continue the artist’s use of the Elektron workflow and black‑box production techniques. A live event in Auckland on 19 September will feature Kraus and Half Sister, with tickets sold through UTR. The album and event are promoted by Kraus’s website and UnderTheRadar, which also seeks reader support to maintain its independent news coverage.
Water Music is available for download and streaming on Bandcamp, where the artist has also issued a cassette edition. In Europe and Scandinavia, cassette copies will be distributed by Artsy in Finland. Fans can pre‑order the album through Kraus’s website, which lists the release date and the cassette option.
The album’s liner notes, written by Jon Bywater, describe the work as evoking “worlds in which nature is miniature and intimate, technology soft and fluid, and the uncanny gentle rather than frightening.” Bywater’s commentary frames the record as a continuation of Kraus’s interest in blending organic and synthetic textures.
During the creation of Water Music, Kraus cited a range of influences, including the traditional Japanese story The Bamboo Cutter’s Tale, Enya’s Castle, Francesco Cavaliere’s album Alata Onda, and the sound of sparrows in a bird feeder. He also mentioned Finland, synthetic flutes and bongos, George A. Romero’s 1977 film Martin, Planetary Peace, a mysterious blue‑dome cover painting, Japanese gardens, Madalyn Merkey’s Puzzle Music, and a desire to live in a forest with elves.
A release event is scheduled for 19 September at the Audio Foundation in Auckland. The event will feature a live performance by Kraus and a special guest appearance from Half Sister, a trio comprising Hermione Johnson, Gary Sullivan, and Greta Anderson. Tickets for the event are being sold through UTR, and the event is promoted on the artist’s Instagram account.
Kraus’s website notes that the album was recorded, mixed, and produced by the artist himself, with Matt Gunn credited for additional performance and mixing contributions. The album’s release is part of Kraus’s ongoing output, which has been described by critics as “hitherto unimagined sound‑shapes” and “a true original.”
UnderTheRadar, an independent music news website that has covered New Zealand music since 2004, reported the album’s release and the upcoming event. The site encourages readers to support its operations through donations, noting that contributions help keep the platform running.
Water Music’s 11 tracks are: 1. Home in the Mountains 2. The Floating World 3. Bubble Blue 4. Crystal Farmers 5. Century of the Elf 6. The Woodcutter’s Tale 7. Pure Waters 8. Four Sparrows and a Bee 9. Princess from the Moon 10. River Ear (The Curtain) 11. (unnamed)
The album’s release aligns with a broader trend of experimental electronic artists releasing physical media, such as cassettes, alongside digital formats. Kraus’s choice to offer a cassette edition reflects a niche market that values analog sound and tangible collectibles.
The release event on 19 September will provide an opportunity for fans to experience Water Music live, with Kraus performing the material in its entirety. Half Sister’s participation adds a collaborative dimension, as the trio has previously worked with Kraus on live shows.
In summary, Water Music is a 2026 release by New Zealand experimental musician Kraus, available on Bandcamp and in cassette form. The album’s 11 tracks continue the artist’s use of the Elektron workflow and black‑box production techniques. A live event in Auckland on 19 September will feature Kraus and Half Sister, with tickets sold through UTR. The album and event are promoted by Kraus’s website and UnderTheRadar, which also seeks reader support to maintain its independent news coverage.
