On that blessed summer day in 2016, when music streaming platforms finally became accessible to Balkan residents, life changed forever for the average Balkan independent music lover. Overnight, enthusiasts were given the opportunity to dive deep into the vast sea of unreleased music from countless genres. As audiences on Spotify and Deezer grew, alternative and independent artists, long established in the Western charts, slowly began to gain traction in the Balkans. Alternative and indie names, ranging from Tame Impala and Arctic Monkeys to Lana del Rey, have become part of people’s playlists. Streaming services have done more than change the taste of Balkan music. They changed Balkan music. The new sounds have inspired several emerging artists, some of whom are featured below. Plus, for the first time, it was easy to discover, organize, and enjoy music from similar genres. Such exposure has been invaluable to alternative and independent musicians on the peninsula and several bands and artists have begun to break out.
What was astonishing about these sounds, produced organically in the small rooms of post-socialist buildings, was their diversity. The listener didn’t have to look far to find good Balkan trap or homemade indie rock. Fans of all genres could now name not only their favorite western, but also their favorite local artists.
If you’re tired of your old playlist and want songs to showcase your unique musical tastes, look no further. Below is a list of some of the Balkans’ most established and exciting new artists, along with their origin stories, cultural significance, and the meaning of their songs.
Svemirko – Odgovoran ljubavnik
Svemirko (derived from the word “svemir” meaning universe) is arguably the most culturally relevant independent collective in the Balkans. Hailing from Croatia, this man-writes-and-produces-everything-but-they-are-kind-of-still-a-band phenomenon has released their debut album Vanilija (Vanilla) in 2017. Since then, this self-proclaimed emo-macho, avant-garde, but somehow normal collective has released two more albums. They are best known for their second album Tungusia (no direct translation, but something like a distant or imaginary country), which recently managed, thanks to a special campaign, to sell more than 500 vinyls. While vinyl numbers might not seem like a good indicator of a band’s success, in the case of the Yugonostalgic, indie-loving, thrifty Balkans, it certainly is. “Odgovoran ljubavnik (Responsible Lover)” is the last piece of Tungusia. The simple lyrics, followed by a catchy melody, speak of a special type of young love. The type of love that makes you wonder what you should do when you really love someone, but you just don’t know how to make that relationship happen.
Buč Kesidi – Đuskanje ne pomaže
In 2016, a duo from a small town in Serbia released a 10-track album, which introduced a new vision of indie rock sound to the Balkan scene. Buč Kesidi’s first album Posesivno-ospulsivni Hospital stood out for his frank lyricism. The fast, catchy songs on this album generally reflect that feeling of angst you get when you turn 19 – the feeling that you’re old enough not to be embarrassed by certain things, and yet, one way or another, we still are. The themes of love, heartbreak and the parties and hangouts we should have avoided persist in the lyrics of their second album. The sound of Euphoria, however, it is very different. The melancholy drives the sounds of electric guitar and drums, which dominate the album. This album brought Buč Kesidi to stardom. Postcovid, they traveled throughout the former Yugoslavia, managing to fill many rooms. They are currently working on their third album, which we can expect to sound different from their older material. The current indicator of the new Buč Kesidi era is the 2022 single “Curimo po asfaltu”, which suggests that the band found inspiration in the sounds of the 80s.
čuvarkuća – Curino cvijeće
If your ultimate goal as a music lover is to love a band before anyone has listened to it, čuvarkuća (houseleek) is for you. Having released his debut album just 4 months ago, čuvarkuća is one of the latest arrivals on the Croatian music scene. The KSET (Electrical Engineering Student Club) based in Zagreb, Croatia recommends čuvarkuća to all fans of psychedelic and lo-fi sound. The three songs they performed are described as the “Bermuda triangle of love moans”, perfect for anyone who can’t resist a good love song.
z++ – Adrenaline
Fran Vasilić – Japanese pancakes
“Svjetski, a naš” (worldly, but ours) is the best way to describe Croatian indie pop musician Fran Vasilic. During the 2020 lockdown, Fran gained popularity on TikTok, with her account now having over four million followers. Fran’s musical work is entirely in English and explores topics ranging from lockdown anxiety and heartbreak to familial love. While his 2020 album Mirror is loved by many listeners in Southeast Asia, especially India and Thailand, Fran is relatively unknown in the local music scene. Last summer he opened for a local summer festival and is currently planning a second European tour.
Zalagasper – Sebi (dare to dream version)
While the Slovenian electro-pop music duo Zalagasper (derived from the duo’s names Zala and Gasper) immediately aroused the interest of the Slovenian music scene, it was not until Eurovision 2019 that the Balkans heard of ‘them. Their rendition of the original song “Sebi ((to) yourself)” stood out from all other entries with its beautifully melancholy sound. Their 2022 album Love letter is a collection of songs in English and Slovenian. Zalagasper describes this album as a “stack of mail” with stories ranging from love letters, letters to late grandmothers, tales of road trips, cloud watching and sailing hats. No lover of authentic sounds and raw lyrics should miss Zalagasper’s work.
Andreja Zivkovic is an editor. Email her at feedback@thegazelle.org