I don’t know where their name comes from, it’s weird to say the least (maybe that was the point in the first place), but it doesn’t matter, their music is brilliant, radio-friendly without being dull, indie, groovy, the middle of a party we don’t want to miss.
Dimitri’s Bats on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, www.
This band had a spectacular debut in the noughties, then a big flirt with the mainstream (and a big fail), a hiatus (everybody thought was an ending), and a rebirth. Here they are again, alive and kicking, experimenting with words, diving into psychedelia and inviting established poets by their side.
Firma feat. Ana Blandiana on Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram.
One of the most important acts in Romanian electronica, touring Europe with the kinds of Parov Stelar, combining live instruments (sometimes an entire orchestra) with sampling and DJing, making melancholy appealing and dancy.
Golan on Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram, www.
Quality pop music from someone who really understands what’s it all about. This is highly radio-friendly, without being invasive, the kind of cute thing you like instantly, but it doesn’t haunt your daily life, even though the ear worm is present.
Helen on Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram.
One of the greatest Romanian hardcore bands. They began their career in the nineties, and after these two decades are still here, releasing meaningful stuff, attentively working on production, sounding better than ever.
Implant pentru refuz on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.
“Give me the same thing but different” must be the main motto of this guy. He’s rolling some Romanian classic poetry, fills it with some pop-blues and smokes it on the dancefloor like it’s a completely new thing and he is oh, so convincing.
Jurjak on Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram.
Pop and prettiness doesn’t always have to talk about being stupidly in love or other conventional subjects. Lucia, despite her age and lovely appearence is looking further than life, seeking answers no one will ever utter, and few will ever have the guts to discuss.
Lucia on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.
The most prolific Romanian rapper of the moment, this guy released an album a year since 2011, criticizing the system, telling relevant stories about his country and its inhabitants, meditating about this moment in time without being gratuitously vulgar.
Omu Gnom on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.
Pop can be really cool sometimes, especially when R&B meets jazz and it has a funky flavour. The low range of Petra’s voice, her native androginous timbre makes this combination an offer you cannot refuse.
Petra Acker & The Band on Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram.
Maybe the hippest band in Romania, some crazy guys who refuse to indulge into their fame, sometimes playing gigs first thing in the morning for their corporate fans. Their music is quite original, and the lyrics are collages of coherence.
Robin and the Backstabbers on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.
Even though their career started some time ago, The Mono Jacks are the new best thing in Romanian alternative rock, after their rebirth in the last couple of years. Minimalist instrumentation, along with some great vocals and meaningful lyrics.
The Mono Jacks on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, www.