Music recommendation from the Kyiv Independent: Latexfauna (Patreon)

Alexander Khrebet here, reporter with the Kyiv Independent. I’m breaking with tradition today, bringing you a Ukrainian music recommendation instead of the usual book or movie review.

A former colleague of mine here in Kyiv once confessed to me that he was also a bass guitarist, playing in the then-no-name band, Latexfauna. He sent me a few songs to listen to, and I was hooked by the first notes. Latexfauna is now one of the most popular bands in Ukraine.

Latexfauna’s chillwave/indie pop album Ajahuaska, released in 2018, has nothing to do with the South American indigenous psychedelic brew. Its 13 songs in Ukrainian and surzhyk (a Ukrainian-Russian pidgin) will make you want to dance, no matter what you’re doing while you’re listening. Each song on the album feels like summer in winter.

If you need more persuading, Latexfauna even caught the eye of Rolling Stone. The magazine featured the young Ukrainian band in a piece on the music scene in Kyiv.

If indie pop isn’t your thing, then I’d recommend you listen to a solo album by Svyatoslav Vakarchuk — Ukraine’s most famous rock star. The album, “Vnochi,” was released in 2008 and features songs recorded with Ukrainian jazz, folk, and classical musicians, including the National Symphonic Orchestra.

If you haven’t heard of Vakarchuk, he’s also the frontman of the band Okean Elzy, one of Ukraine’s most famous bands. The group has been around for 30 years, influencing two generations of Ukrainian music.

Latexfauna’s Ajahuaska on Spotify and YouTube Music.

Vakarchuk’s Vnochi on Spotify and YouTube Music.

Let us know if you enjoyed listening to either of these music recs!