Abstraktor - 2024 - Mat'
(38:18; Abstraktor)
Here we have the latest release from Abstraktor, a Russian progressive folk band I had not previously come across, but one of the members is Yaroslav Borisov who I know from Happy55. He provides vocals, synthesizers, and piano and is joined by Ivan Sukharev (vocal, harp, kalyuka, flutes), Alexander Bityutsky (drums, percussion) and Oleg Salkov (bass, synths). Apparently, the name comes from mixing the words "abstraction" and "tractor", with “Abstraction” as a way of artistic expression and “tractor” as a bright symbol of the modern village. I cannot talk to the lyrics, which are important to the band, as they are all sung in Russian (the title of the album translates to “Mother”) so I just treat the vocals as another instrument.
What I found compelling right from the off is while the band say this contains the influences of European Synth-rock and Synth-pop similar to the likes of Duran Duran or Beirut, the strong piano elements make me think straight away of Art Zoyd. There is a great deal of RIO here, as well as post-jazz and minimalism and I quickly came into the world of Abstraktor and thoroughly enjoying it. They have brought in additional folk instruments (not sure who plays everything), including kalyuka (willow flute), zhaleika (Slavic wind instrument like a hornpipe), harp, flute and ukulele, yet there are also Western indie and RIO influences which means one never knows where this is going. Borisov has a very clear voice and while I have no idea what he is singing his tone compels me to listen. There is a great deal of space within the arrangements and although it does feel quite foreign in many ways when played through the first time, it quickly grows on the listener and become strangely compelling. Well worth investigating for those who want their music to be away from the mainstream.
Kev Rowland, March 2025
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