Every week, the Artillery project presents new Ukrainian music. In the fresh 2025 lineup, releases shine with variety: the anticipated DakhaBrakha album Ptakh (LP), the sarcastic New Year track Renie Cares and Badwor7h, and carols – Ingret, Olena Karas and Yevheniya Dubovyk, a military-themed piece by Maria Kvitka, Buhnt and Azov fighters, and several novelties from Yagody.
DakhaBrakha – Ptakh (LP). After the group’s previous release, we were living in a different time, but the new album contains songs written before the full-scale invasion began. The recording and mixing were done by Lesyk Omodada from “Pirog i Batog” and Tik Tu. The cover was chosen to depict a DakhaBrakha member Mark Galanevich.
Among nine or ten design variants, most paintings served as lots at charity auctions during recent tours in the USA. The piece that was second on the list of contenders was bought in California for $2600 to support the Ukrainian Defense Forces. And the original, which eventually became the official face of «Ptakh», we decided not to sell for now
Other releases of the week from Artillery
Entely – Desire or Freedom (LP). The short indie-pop artist’s album enters with a post-punk sound; elements of the genre seep into the music, confirming that post-punk has become part of the Ukrainian mainstream. In several tracks, you can feel the influence of Nikow.
Skatepark Philosophy Club – Feels Like a Sunday Breakfast in That Strange Hour When Everything Feels Possible Until You Remember Tomorrow Exists (LP). There are memes about Midwest emo albums for their ridiculously long titles. Although the release is far from Midwest, the title clearly describes what to expect in the songs. The album was recorded on cassette, then digitized; there is a cover of the song Watermelon from Adam Carter Remayer’s film.
Yagody – Paradise Evolved (EP). Finalists of last year’s National Selection for Eurovision-2925 expand their catalog of carols with a mini-album. “Carols from different corners of Ukraine sound here like one big Christmas circle – about light, memory and the presence of one another” – the band on their Instagram.
«Carols from different corners of Ukraine sound here like one big Christmas circle – about light, memory, and the presence of one another»
On Her Basis – Behind Her Curtains, vol.4 (EP). The Christmas episode of the program “On Her Basis” offered several new tracks with Christmas and New Year songs by Anstay, Koli Dudchenko from “Propashaya Sila,” Max Ptashnyk and Ann Kovtun.
Ingret, Olena Karas, Yevheniya Dubovyk – Oh, Eagle, Oh Eagle, Blue Feather. Olena Karas and Ingret delivered an update to a carol from Chernihiv region; Yevheniya Dubovyk contributed to the arrangement and sound production.
«I remember meeting Olenka at my home almost a year ago – that’s when the idea for a joint project was born. We didn’t rush, allowing the concept to mature. Now I clearly feel: this carol should appear right now. I think we won’t stop at just this work»
Renie Cares, Badwor7h – Brain of Disco. The collaborative New Year’s sarcastic song became the awaited addition to the carols.
«I can heh-heh, I can ha, it’s still all fucked anyway»
Pozitiff, Yulia Yurina – This Is Not a Dream. Campy Christmas musicals in the zeroes’ style are returning – without Russian artists. A collaborative song for Vasyl Baydak’s musical “The Living Dog Sirko” became part of a new Ukrainian musical, with love, humor, and respect for culture.
Drevo – Enkaraprista. The single release is inspired by Spanish music: the result is closer to a radio-friendly chanson, with unclear or absent logic in the lyrics. Also, the meaning of the word “Enkaraprista” in the track title has not been found.
Darie Lu – Dine Without Me. Moments of winter solitude – the season’s main charm; the new single will bring a special mood.
Zbaraski – IV. The video for the new song appeared on YouTube, now available on streaming platforms. Ivan talks about his creative path and his stay abroad, which he undertook two weeks before the full-scale invasion.
David Glads – Tell Me. At the heart of the track are a gentle, tremulous vocal and an acoustic guitar that support the main rhythm and the overall cohesion of the piece.
Gurt Dno, Veronika – Save You Soon (Euro Song). Veronika Koleshnya from Balkon joined Dno – a new track in English, something never before seen in the band’s history.
Buhnt, Maria Kvitka, Azov.One – Carol “About War and Ivanko”. A folk carol by vocalist Maria Kvitka and sound producer Buhnt in a collaboration with Azov’s 1st Corps fighters, including an a cappella version of the piece.
This week’s selection offers fresh Ukrainian releases – from traditional carols to experimental sounds and projects in LP, EP, and single formats, reflecting winter, memory, and hope through music.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source mezha.net ’
