Staraya Derevnya - 2025 - Garden Window Escape

(43:39: Ramble Records)

Track list:
1. Tight-Lipped Thief 3:45
2. What I Keep in My Closet 6:03
3. Half-Deceased Uncle 12:17
4. Cork Flight Operation 6:16
5. Virtue of Standing Still 3:04
6. Onwards, Through the Garden Window 7:05
7. Myshhh 5:09

Line-up:
Gosha Hniu - vocals and voices, lyre, kazoo, percussion
Maya Pik - synthesizer, flute, programming
Ran Nahmias - cello, santur, oud, voice
Grundik Kasyansky - synthesizer
Miguel Perez - guitars
Yoni Silver - clarinet
with:
Andrea Serafino - drums


Prolusion.
The Israel based band Staraya Derevnya has been an active creative unit from back in 1994, and with more than three decades behind them as a band they have seven studio albums to their name in addition to several live albums and compilations. And a score of concerts held over the decades too presumably. The band are now out with their seventh studio production. This album is called "Garden Window Escape", and was released through Australian label Ramble Records in the spring of 2025.

Analysis.
As far as progressive rock goes, this is a production that doesn't come with all that many aspects of rock music present, at least not in a more obvious manner. The songs at hand are more soundscapes than compositions as such too, and while the instruments in use are both acoustic and electronic, the end result here sounds more like progressive electronic music than anything else. Words like experimental and avant-garde can also safely be applied to the landscapes explored here.

We do get some bass lines at times with perhaps a bit more of a post-punk orientation at times, and some recognizable guitar elements with a bit of a noise rock feel to them are also present. Both of them are minor elements in the creations unfolding here however, and none of them are defining as such.

The majority of these constructions revolve around some manner or other of a drone presence as the key backdrop or the more constant element. Vocals of a more spoken variety also tend to be a presence. But it is everything else going on that really defines the experience we get from this album.

Odd, whimsical and off kilter sounds and noises permeate these landscapes. Often as more careful displays, but usually increasing in stature and dominance, developing into an increasingly chaotic and more tension-filled aspect of the landscape unfolding. Providing, adding and building tension as these tendencies develop. Sometimes with a bit of a cosmic undercurrent being present, and always with an otherworldly and at times nightmare like mood and atmosphere crafted and emphasized.

Folk music elements have a part to play here, some sounds may possibly call upon a classical music inspiration too, but it is only the former of these that can actually be noticed in places, providing a bit of an ancient, old world feel when present. Which, to some extent, one might say about the spoken-like vocals when they are present too.

One might describe this album as a meeting place between the old and grounded, the otherworldly and the futuristic. A chaotic description for chaotic soundscapes. That being said, we do get a couple of more calm and introspective creations along the way here too. Constructions that revolve around gentler sounds and effects and a more relaxing and dreamlike state. Which is a charming and effective contrast to the otherwise more chaotic and dramatic creations at hand.

Conclusion.
The soundscapes we encounter on this most recent album of Staraya Derevnya are ones that don't really fit into any specific genre context. The music is very much of a niche orientation, combining aspects of krautrock, folk music and electronic music with an experimental edge and an avant-garde approach and execution. And I would suggest that those with a taste and an affection for the more expressive and experimental artists within such a loosely defined context may want to take notice of this production. Much the same goes for those with a passionate interest in music that sounds very much different from whatever comes from the conventional and more defined genres of music. A high quality example of music without borders that is difficult to define in an exact manner and that will be a challenging experience for many listeners.

Olav "Progmessor" Björnsen, May 2025

Links:
https://starayaderevnya.co.uk/
https://ramblerecords.com/