Stozhar – ‘Dukhom svobody, razryvaia okovy’ (2021)
Rating: 7.5/10
Release: 7 April 2021
Label: Independent
“By the spirit of freedom, breaking the shackles” is the title of the new full length from Stozhar, the 5th in their career. A seven tracks album with nice melodies and catchy rhythms. It’s indeed a short album having 42:27 minutes in total, but it could be just enough to appraise the work that this band from Yaroslavl (Russia) has been making since 2005.
The tracks are calm and soft songs with a balanced instrument sound and a nice voice, which in my opinion it can be appreciated especially in “Pesn o bylom…” (Song of the past …).
The sound stands out from other Russian bands by the use of well-made melodies that evolve from traditional sounds and make their music richer. Their sound can maybe include influences from other European bands and modern composing styles, but keeping the traditional folk style from that part of the world is very enjoyable. Unfortunately, not all songs have a special identity that helps differentiate them among the remaining tracks.
In regards to the production, the sound it’s nice and clear, and the music arrangements contribute nicely to the album quality. A professional work to enjoy listening in quiet moments.
My favorite “Kholod osenneho utra” (and the beautiful singing voice).
Tracklist
- Dukhom svobody, razryvaya okovy… 06:31
- Predzimnyaya trizna 04:35
- Na poroge novykh sversheniy 05:34
- Pavshiy voin 08:26
- Pesn’ o bylom… 05:40
- Kholod osennego utra… 07:10
- Pamyati Svyatoslava… 04:31