Recommendations from the Kyiv Independent: An introduction to contemporary Ukrainian music (Patreon)

This is Dominic Culverwell, Kyiv Independent business reporter. As a long-time fan of Ukrainian electronic, rap, and folk music, I wanted to recommend some of my favorite artists. Despite Russia’s horrific attempts to eradicate Ukrainian culture, Ukrainian artists are still performing for crowds, even among air raid sirens and missile threats. For many, myself included, it's important that Ukrainian music prevails in the face of Russia’s culture war and that the world knows about the country’s talented musicians. 1. Alonya AlonyaThe one-time kindergarten teacher Alonya Alonya burst onto Ukraine’s hip-hop scene in 2018 with her charismatic personality and talent. She has since seen success abroad and even performed a live show for an audience in Berlin in August 2022 (which I was devastated to miss). My personal favorite is Мамин суп (Mom’s Soup). The music video is a wonderfully weird and trippy adventure.

2. Karoon A less well-known group, Karoon mixes dark techno beats, 80s new-wave, and Ukrainian ethnic singing styles. Haunting, mesmerizing, but still danceable, the duo is a great example of how traditional Ukrainian music can blend with contemporary sounds. Managing to be both nostalgic and futuristic, Karoon is a great soundtrack for those gray winter evenings. I recommend Українська завзята (Ukrainian tenacious). It’s the duo’s most popular song and truly heart-rendering.

3. ThekomakomaOn a more upbeat note, the one-man act Thekomakoma fires up the dancing part of my brain. His fun, cheerful songs combine synth-pop, rap, and village music, which makes you want to jump up and drunkenly bop at your cousin’s wedding. I caught him at an outdoor concert in Kyiv last summer and ecstatically joined the crowd in twirling folk dancing. I love Київ їде додому (Kyiv is going home). I have fond memories of blasting this song with a friend in Bucha over a feast fit for a Cossack.

4. LATEXFAUNAFor those chill Sunday mornings (which are rare in Ukraine now thanks to Russia), indie band LATEXFAUNA provide the guitar riffs that hit the spot. Hailing from Kyiv, the five-man band has been on the scene for nearly 10 years. Their music is reminiscent of 70s rock and 2000s soft indie. A combo that can’t really go wrong. My colleague Alexander Khrebet previously recommended the band’s 2018 album Ajahuaska. My personal favorite from the album is Lime. On a warm summer’s evening, I sat on a hill overlooking Kyiv’s Podil neighborhood swaying to the rhythm with a group of friends while sipping on a delicious Ukrainian honey beer.

5. DakhaBrakha Probably the most famous artists on this list, the folk quartet has spent the last 20 years introducing the West to Ukrainian ethnic music. Their performance on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert has racked up over 3 million views and they continue to bring traditional Ukrainian singing and instruments to the masses. Beautiful and hypnotic, it's no surprise that they perform to sold-out crowds across the world. Check out their performance at Glastonbury in 2016. I mean look at those costumes, how can you not fall in love?!