Kyiv-based group 5 Vymir is known as a relatively successful act on modern independent scene. But it looks like now they’re more concentrated on their success than on the music itself, oblivious to its refinement and elegance, which are largely missing in band’s new full-length.
It’s even titled as “Novi Imena” (“The New Names”), meaning some inner circle of new Ukrainian artists including members of 5Vymir, that has been chosen as a weird concept for the whole LP.
That, actually, is our only complaint, because the Kyiv foursome haven’t lost their undeniable talent. At least, we got a portion of slackered indie rock with post-punk basslines – plain, but good, and it would be even better if the arrangements and playing were not so coarse and demonstrably rock-oriented.
But don’t forget it was 5Vymir who introduced Mac DeMarco’s soft slacker-pop sound to Ukrainian masses few years ago, and that’s a great credit! We like Kostyantyn Pochtar’s timbre, but also must note the second vocalist Vadim Lazarev’s tunes “Svit” and “23”. The latter is, maybe, the most magnificent composition in the tracklist.
Finally, charming and gentle “Shukaiu Den” seems to be the song with the highest potential here – just let it be produced by Martin Courtney, not Peter Chernyavski. Although Pete made not only “one of the best”, but definitely THE BEST Ukrainian album of 2016, this time he did something the guys could easily do by themselves.
♪♫ Listen: “Ламай” + album stream
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