At Cost Magazine - Diaries from The New East - #1 Russia
Photo: BONEAGE
Although the post-Soviet sphere, particularly-speaking, Russia, never quite escapes the imagination of the West, little of that fascination translates to interest in its musical scene. Overshadowed by foreign rock stars and a commercial pop scene that for many years concentrated on shock value over content, creators are filling in a void left behind by the rampant commercialism of the 90′s. For many artists and musicians, many who were born after the collapse of the Soviet Union and communism in Europe, it’s a search for authenticity that wrestles between the past and present; east and west. So if you're in the know, you might see a few familiar faces, but if not, forget what you already know and welcome to The New East:
Boneage - Crystal Rainbows
Returning after a brief hiatus since the departure of vocalist Danielle Dubinskaia, Moscow newcomers BONEAGE return with "Crystal Rainbows' a track that certainly demonstrates that the act is back in business. Against its bluesy guitar backing, the track is starts slow and gradual where the sultry slide of vocalist Sonya Dramma makes her introduction. Surely the track's slower moments are worthy of mention, but what really takes the cake is how Sonya's vocal powerhouse so fluidly melds into the track. Subtle yet at the same time so vividly-nuanced, pop ballads just don't get much better than this. A track described by the band as one written on secrets, revelations, psychedelic experience and love, you can check out "Crystal Rainbows" below:
D-Pulse - Anna
While much of Russia's electronic music and its domestic pop scene for the most part is relegated to deep house sounds, D-Pulse takes an alternative approach to their electronica with track "Anna". Smooth and soulful, the track instead delves into the digital blues of their raspy techno funk. Slow and spacious, the track features soft, layered vocals that eases over an oceanic calm on their latest track.
Djinn City - Too Many People
"Too Many People" is the latest single from Djinn City, arriving off the Tatar duo's latest EP "Slow". Slow and steady yet resonant with its snappy funk grooves, the riveting sound of the single is met with the duo's breathy calm. We interviewed Djinn City earlier this year, you can read the interview and check out their latest track below:
IC3PEAK - Make You Cry
The Moscow duo of Nikolay Kostleyev and Riga, Latvia's Nastya Kreslin have certainly carved a name for themselves as self-declared audiovisual terrorists. While they sound is an iconoclasm of sharp and piercing sounds met with the crush of deep and menancing bass structures, many if not all of their videos have been nothing short of visually arrested. Their latest track "Make You Cry" is a testament to their strong visuals and striking sound, with the dystopia of their night terror met with the purring coos and sickly taunt of Nastya's and joined with the harsh and fuzzed-out bass weaving in and out of the track.
You can check it out below:
On-the-Go - In the Morning
Between the giddy of their funky guitar flows and soft dreaminess, On-the-Go's most recent effort follows a more cinematic approach to put it literally. The soundtrack to their short-film, "The Feel Bad Project", the track winds over spacious beats and the downward spiral of its twisted guitar downturn. A little crime thriller that's narrated by a gentle R&B coax, you can check out the video below:
Pompeya - Domino
From funky flows to late-Perestroikapost-punk Pompeya is one of Russia's better known English-language band with an international audience. Their latest single "Domino" features piqued riffs and a falsetto-tipped vocal that flaunts itself over the track's disco beat and rocking stadium guitar. Fun for all and even for small children, check out the video for the Fred Falke-produced "Domino":
vivienxo - TTYN
Russia-born but based in the neighborly Baltic nation of Finland, Victoria Zolotukhina, the face behind vivienxo, makes glittery pop music for the internet age. Her latest track "TTYN", which stands for "talk to you never" is an ode to youthful naivete and self-aggrandisement that inevitably ends in a loss of human connection. Rustling with it's clunky lo-fi beat and light-hearted prose, the track is bright and carefree; its nonchalance reflected in its rather casual and even rosy drop of profanity.
"You're just another fuckboi" - vivienxo
