“VAN” is a great Hungarian 2014 movie made by young creators. Even though it’s a completely low-budget film, it was a great success. As was its soundtrack made by the movie authors themselves (not by professionals). But maybe that’s why the first word that came to my mind when I heard it was: feel-good.
♪♫ Listen: “Ez Van” + album stream
After their debut album’s success, Fran Palermo saddened their fans informing that they’re taking a break from music. But in 2014 they came back with another great album, “Sun In Splendour N14”. And who knows, maybe we owe its quality to that intermission. So we won’t regret it if they make another pause now, just not too long please.
♪♫ Listen: “Mustangs” + album stream
Fran Palermo on Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Twitter, Facebook.
Ganxsta Zolee and the Kartell will be 20 years old this year. On this occasion, they asked various Hungarian musician to create a Ganxsta tribute soundtrack.
One of Hungary’s most famous bands, Quimby, didn’t choose any Ganxsta song. They have written a completely new one – of course about Ganxsta Zolee and the Kartell. While other tributes are great too, this one stands out.
♪♫ Listen: “Hasta La Ganxsta” (Ganxsta Tribute)
This acclaimed group appeared on beehype about three months ago with their single “senkitöbbet”. But the whole album “konyharegény” (kitchennovel) was a great success in Hungary in 2014 – and no wonder because it was the first album from the band in over ten years. But what a comeback.
♪♫ Listen: “senkitöbbet” + album stream
After releasing a great debut album, Ivan & the Parazol didn’t slow down and quickly came up with a new record called “Mode Bizarre”. Ivan’s band is headliner at almost every Hungarian festival – and their single “Together” was the anthem of 2014’s Sziget Festival. The Budapest group’s second album is overfilled with such hits that won’t stop even for a second. 36 minutes of concentrated fun.
♪♫ Listen: “Together” + album stream
Ivan & the Parazol on www, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp.
Guitarist and singer András Lovasi is one of the most recognized underground/alternative musicians in Hungary. After his very successful band Kispál és a Borz dissolved, he founded Kiscsillag (Little Star) in 2005. Arguably, “Szeles” (Windy) is the best of the four Kiscsillag’s records to date, containing both danceable and quieter, sentimental songs.
♪♫ Listen: “Őrkutya” + album stream
Kiscsillag on www, Soundcloud, Facebook, YouTube.
The Mary Popkids is not a usual band you would hear on radio. They are trying to open our standard electro-pop range to new sounds. Their latest album, “The Blue Inside”, is filled with “old”, classic tunes updated to our times. Whether the inspiration is new-wave or neo-soul, the final result is always brilliant.
♪♫ Listen: “Indigo”
Mary Popkids on Soundcloud, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter.
This talented Budapest band’s debut full-length “Supersonic Overdrive” appeared on many Best Of 2014 lists and it’s a fully deserved place. Middlemist Red’s performances distinguish them from the rest of the Hungarian music scene, but you’ll notice their uniqueness when listening to their studio records as well.
♪♫ Listen: “Multicoloured Drive” + album stream
The core of Pegazusok Nem Léteznek (Pegasus Doesn’t Exist) is a couple – also in the real life – of singer Eszter and guitarist Domokos. Hungarian masters of melancholic, minimalist, and intimate atmosphere came out with their untitled new album in 2014, and we got what we waited for. Some days will be beautiful just because you’ve listened to these ten songs.
And yes, the album cover looks just like that.
♪♫ Listen: “Veszély” + album stream
Pegazusok Nem Léteznek on Bandcamp, Soundcloud, Facebook.
Szabó Balázs Bandája has already been presented on beehype, and not accidentally. After two excellent records, Balázs Szabó and his band set the bar – if it’s possible – even higher. “Élet Elvitelre” is almost perfect, and I’m saying “almost” just because we don’t know what’s coming next from Balázs. Could be even better?
♪♫ Listen: “Hétköznapi” feat. Julie Rens + album stream
Tankcsapda (Tanktrap) is one of the brightest stars of the Hungarian rock’s (not too big) sky. They have been at the top for 25 years now, so listening to their latest album “Urai vagyunk a helyzetnek” (“We Control the Situation”) seems almost an obligation. For the starter, you should check out the track “Köpök rátok” (“I Spit on You”), which as the title might suggest was written with journalists in mind.
♪♫ Listen: “Köpök rátok”