Modern Ukrainian Music
Music is a way to convey feelings and emotions that blends lyrics and melodies into unique songs. Ukraine has outstanding and diverse music, appealing with its melodiousness, tenderness, and the sound of the Ukrainian language. Often, music subtly reflects the world in the eyes of singers, their mentality, and cultural peculiarities.
Let's discover modern Ukrainian music and look at the impact its musicians make. Ukraine, just like its music and singers, has been evolving since Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The changes in its music reflect the realities of life in a country whose people have been striving for freedom and democracy, a people who have experienced victories and defeats but refuse to give up. Eventually, Ukrainian music received international recognition with Ruslana’s victory at the Eurovision in 2004. There is no better way to familiarize yourself with Ukrainian culture than through its music. Below, you will learn about some well-known Ukrainian musicians.
Скрябін / Skryabin
Skryabin is the most prominent and, proudly, the first Ukrainian-language synth-pop and alternative electronica band. The band was founded in 1989 in Lviv and led by guitarist and vocalist Andrii Kuzmenko, who became an essential figure in the history of Ukrainian music. From the beginning, the band was noted for its outstanding creativity and approach to music, imbuing its lyrics with profound meaning. The band shifted from synth-pop, post-punk, and techno to pop rock and pop music. The band's lineup has also changed many times, although Andrii "Kuzma" Kuzmenko was the only permanent band member from its inception until his tragic death in 2015. The band released seventeen studio albums, two collections, nine maxi-singles (extended music singles with additional tracks), one live album, and many other projects. The name "Skryabin" came about by accident. The video for the song "Чуєш біль" had to be sent to a contest, and the name of the band had to be indicated. There was a lack of ideas: the options were either too long or too short. At some point, the leading singer, Andrii Kuzmenko (Kuzma), asked why an audio engineer and band member named Oleksandr Skryabin was absent from rehearsals. That's how his name became the band's name (tvoemisto). Skryabin’s songs are about simple but existentially crucial things in human relationships, like the importance of relationships with parents, friends, and partners. In the song “People are like ships,” Skryabin compares people to sailing ships who come and pass by in our lives, meaning people we meet play essential parts in our lives, either having a positive or negative impact. The lyrics contain hidden contexts and deeper meanings, bringing about the importance of choices partners make in relationships and the memories they hold dear, paying attention to mothers and giving them flowers for their unconditional love, and remembering the friends we have in our lives.
Andrii Kuzmenko, the leading singer, was particularly fond of two musical styles as a teenager. The hidden punk in him was awakened by the Scottish band The Exploited. "Punk brought out a completely different person in me," Kuzma later recalled. And the British bands Depeche Mode and The Cure opened up the depths of neo-romanticism for the Ukrainian boy. Later, the early Skryabin would be called the first Ukrainian neo-romantics and compared to Depeche Mode themselves (BBC Ukraine). As the public opinion leader, Kuzmenko used his voice and power to raise awareness about important social and political issues, such as forced migration, patriotism, national identity, poverty, social inequality, parliamentary autocracy, and the war. His ability to speak frankly about the issues made a difference in Ukrainian society as crucial questions regarding patriotism, history, and politics challenged the society’s perception of living in Ukraine.
“Міняйте світ до кращого, дбайте про нього, бо ви в ньому живете,” Андрій Кузьменко.
“Change the world for the better, take care of it because you live in it,” Andrii Kuzmenko.
Мам / Mom
Olha Mykhailivna, the mother of Kuzma 'Skryabin', admitted that her son created the touching composition 'Mam' after he almost died in a car accident on the way from Kolomyia to Ivano-Frankivsk (TSN).
Старі фотографії / Old photos
Місця щасливих людей / The places of happy people
KAZKA
Ukraine has always been famous for its diverse and talented musicians, and one of the most exceptional bands is KAZKA, regarded as a Ukrainian sensation. KAZKA was founded in 2017 by vocalist Oleksandra Zarytska, multi-instrumentalist Mykyta Budash, and sopilka player Dmytro Mazuryak. The band is loved for its unique and musical style, combining experimental pop and elements of electro-folk with profound lyrics.
Свята / Saint
Плакала / Cry
Cry (English Version)
Пісня Сміливих Дівчат / The song of brave girls
"We want to thank everyone for their love, for their feedback and support. This video shows the most candid emotions of real Ukrainian girls - so beautiful, sensual and strong. This video is an ode to our women and a thank you for their inspiration, love and strength," says Oleksandra, a member of the KAZKA band.
I AM NOT OK
The fact that the band decided to sing the song in English is of paramount importance and symbolic as Ukrainian artists have become the leading voices of Ukraine and have had the most extensive engagement with foreign listeners and fans. This way, the band was trying to reach out to the international community using the English language about what has been happening in Ukraine.
Kalush Orchestra
Kalush Orchestra is a famous Ukrainian folk hip-hop band. Formed in 2021, the band is composed of Oleh Psiuk, Tymofii Muzychuk, Sasha Tab, Sasha Kondratiuk, Vitalii Duzhyk, and MC KylymMen (CarpetMen). The band's name originates from Kalush, a city located in the Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine. Kalush Orchestra’s song "Stefania" soared in 2022, giving Ukraine its third Eurovision victory. At Eurovision, Kalush Orchestra became the voice of Ukraine’s representation during wartime.
Stefania
Change
Go_A
Go_A is a Ukrainian electro-folk band that combines astonishing authentic Ukrainian vocals, modern electronic dance beats, African drums, and powerful and fierce guitar to create an unforgettable sound. The band consists of Kateryna Pavlenko, Taras Shevchenko, Ihor Didenchuk, and Ivan Hryhoriak. The band’s name combines the word “Go” and the Greek letter "Alpha," symbolizing the beginning of everything. The band's name symbolizes the "return to the roots," - band members explained in an interview. The band made a statement when they first appeared during the Eurovision national selection and competition in Ukraine with “Solovey” in 2020. Yet Eurovision did not take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was postponed. Finally, the band was able to represent Ukraine with the new song – “Shum,” and won fifth place at Eurovision in 2021.
Documentary about Kateryna Pavlenko
ШУМ / NOISE
Rusalochki
ONUKA
ONUKA is a Ukrainian electro-folk band created by singer Natalia Zhyzhchenko and sound producer Eugene Filatov in 2013. ONUKA is one of the most remarkable bands and the founder of Ukrainian electro-folk music. They were the first to begin to experiment and combine electro with folk motifs. Indeed, what really takes it to the next level is ONUKA’s stunning ability to synthesize high locals of Natalia, modern electronic elements, and folklore with music instruments like bandura, sopilka, and trembita, with folklore motifs blending it into ear-soothing melodies. The band’s name "ONUKA" means daughter and is a tribute to the outstanding Ukrainian master of musical instruments, Oleksandr Shlonchyk, the grandfather of the singer Natalia Zhyzhchenko. In one of the interviews, she stated, "He made my first sopilka, taught me to play, formed my understanding of the Motherland".
Misto
Kyiv is a symbol of freedom, strength, and hope
Vidlik is the second mini album by ONUKA, the word Vidlik means countdown. The album is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear plant. The topic is very personal for the singer, whose father actively took part in disaster relief, says Nata.
In July 2023, ONUKA became an ambassador for Spotify Equal. Participation in the initiative is another opportunity to tell the world about Ukraine and its culture. The same month, the album Mozaïka was released, featuring 10 songs. One song on the album is “PEREMOHA” (Victory). ONUKA explained what the album means to the band in a Facebook post:
“Like every Ukrainian, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we are striving to effectively use our resources to help Ukraine. Our resource is our voice, our music, which the world hears.
Today, our fourth full-length album ROOM was released, and it's another reason to be seen and heard by the world - to remind it about Ukraine and the dramatic events that affect the lives of millions of Ukrainians.
"ROOM is the awareness of ourselves, the awareness of our present and concerns, the awareness of our pains, the awareness that we, our deeds give us the opportunity to hold on and bring our victory closer.
"The heroes of the album's songs are you and me: from the military and volunteers to the millions of Ukrainians who, against all odds, continue their daily work. It is our stories that we want to tell the world through our music, because these are the stories of the heroic resistance of our people. We are grateful to everyone who contributed to the creation of this record. And also to each of you who are tirelessly moving forward to our common space - the space of victory!”
Okean Elzy
Okean Elzy is a Ukrainian rock band that holds the title of the most famous and well-liked band in Ukraine. The band has a significant fan base outside their homeland. It has been recognized many times as the best rock and live band in the Commonwealth of Independent States. Okean Elzy is praised for powerful music that pairs with sensual lyrics and deep vocals. Topics including love, fragile human relationships, national identity, patriotism, and the war with Russia appear in the lyrics. The band was founded by Svialoslav Vakarchuk, Denys Hlinin, Denys Dudko, Milos Jelic, and Vladimir Opsenica in 1994. Okean Elzy has become the leading voice of Ukraine and its youth since the band was founded, not only in music but in political and civic aspects as well. The band played a crucial role in uniting society during the Euromaidan and Orange Revolutions. The band is known for actively using their voice to promote social and political change in society and advocating for democracy in Ukraine. The band’s leader, Sviatoslav Vakarchuk, is a well-known and respected public figure with a political background. He is a former politician and chairman of the "Voice" Party.
Обійми мене / Hug Me
Вставай! / Get Up!
Вставай! (Get Up!) can be seen as the unofficial hymn of Ukrainian rebellion and resilience. The song was written following the events of the Orange Revolution in 2004. The musicians could not stay silent and decided to support the protesting people who fought against voter fraud that took place during the presidential elections. The song symbolized the fight and unity of Ukrainians during the Orange Revolution and then The Revolution of Dignity.
I would like to add a personal note, as this article’s author. The song reminds me of the days of the Revolution of Dignity when my Lyceum classmates and I were marched to the main square in Lviv to protest the ex-government’s hindering of Ukraine’s Euro-integration and demanded the continued development of the European vector of Ukraine’s foreign policy.
“They belong to us. They are one of us and we want them in [the European Union]”, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, comments on Ukraine.
Odyn v kanoe
Odyn v kanoe (One in a canoe) is a talanted indie band founded in 2010 in Lviv. The members changed many times, the current composition of the band (2023) consists of vocalist Iryna Shvaydak, guitarist Ustym Pokhmurskyi, and session drummer Ihor Dzikovskyi. Odyn v kanoe experiments with various genres, such as indie, indie rock, experimental rock, and acoustic music. The name of the band arose by accident. Iryna, reading material about the Indians on the Internet, came across one of their names — Vikeninish. Translated into Ukrainian, it sounded like Odyn v kanoe, which she liked very much, and decided to use it for the band's name.
Човен / Boat
У мене немає дому / I have no home
Antytila
Antytila is one of the most famous pop-rock bands in Ukraine. The band holds prestigious domestic and international music awards such as the YUNA Music Award, M1 Music Awards, and European Music Awards. The band was established in 2008 by Taras Topolia, Serhii Vusyk, Dmytro Vodovozov, Dmytro Zholud, and Mykhailo Chyrko. Antytila means “antibodies” in Ukrainian. Taras Topolia, together with his friends, performs his song of the same name ‘Antytila’ on his Prom Night in 2004. The song describes opposites that cannot exist without each other (official site). The band owes its initial success to The Chance, a popular music television show.
TDME
Ed Sheeran – 2step ft Antytila
Ukrainians are grateful for the unwavering support shown by international musicians, who from the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion, began to speak out on the matter, finding ways to support Ukraine and its people. Ed Sheeran, in a powerful collaboration with Antytila, released a remix of “2step”. All the royalties from the collaboration go to Music Saves UA ( https://musicsavesua.com ), a non-profit fundraising initiative that provides humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians in need. Ed Sheeran’s team reached out to Antytila to film a video that portrays the painful realities of war-torn Ukraine.
Musicians under their video on YouTube explained: "The offer from Ed's team to record a song together is another show of support from the people of Great Britain and an unprecedented act that is guaranteed to create powerful momentum."
"Antytila performed their work as military personnel, it was not easy for us to create and record Ukrainian lyrics and vocals in the studio. In addition, the Bobina Records studio, where we usually recorded our own songs, was under occupation. But thanks to Maksym Syvolap, our friend and constant co-author and arranger of many songs, we managed our part.
"In the Ukrainian lyrics to Ed Sheeran's song '2Step,' I decided to tell my own story of how the war started for my family. And this is not only my story; this is the story of millions of Ukrainians whose families were separated, in some cases forever, by terrible bombings and war."
Jerry Heil
Yana Oleksandrivna Shemayeva, known as Jerry Heil, is a talented and exceptional Ukrainian singer-songwriter, and YouTuber. She began her career by recording covers of songs by Okean Elzy, Imagine Dragons, and Kodaline. Jerry has a professional music education, having attended the R. Glier Kyiv Institute of Music, and the Kyiv Conservatory. Currently, she is pursuing a degree at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
In an interview with Masha Efrosinina, Jerry says that the history of the pseudonym Jerry Heil is "a bit dorky." At the age of 15, she created an account on the social network VK using the made-up name Jerry Mouse (from the cartoon Tom and Jerry). Later, she changed 'Mouse' to the first American surname she found on the internet. Jerry Heil can be called the voice of the new generation of Ukrainians. She states in her LinkedIn bio: "my main goal is to make Ukrainian music new worldwide music trend.”
#ОХРАНА_ОТМЄНА / #SECURITY_CANCELLATION
#МРІЯ / DREAM
Jerry Heil's life dramatically changed after the full-scale Russian invasion, compelling her to flee and seek safety in the European Union. The combat took place in her native town, Vasylkiv, where her parents still reside. Jerry dedicated numerous songs to Ukraine; one of them is the mighty song "#МРІЯ" (Mriya). The word mriya also means “dream” in Ukrainian. The symbolic meaning of the song is explained in the video's description: “The song #МРІЯ was written several months ago. Just then, almost in a row, Russia hit our city of Shchastia (which also means happiness) and crashed the Mriya (which also means dream) An-225 plane, the NATO code name of which is COSSAK! It is so symbolic! Our shchastia (happiness) was on our land and we held the world's greatest mriya (dream) in the sky—the dream of freedom. But the Ukrainian people always had and will always have the WILL. It is inside each of us — and it is the spiritual foundation on which we will rebuild a new MRIYA (DREAM) and a new SHCHASTIA (HAPPINESS). Both figuratively and literally.”
Ukrainian musicians not only let the world know about Ukraine’s heroic fight for freedom but have also become ambassadors of Ukrainian culture, popularizing the country’s traditions, language, and, of course, music! The war in Ukraine is dramatically affecting everyone, compelling the nation to fight for its existence. Ukrainian musicians united people around with their music, making Ukraine visible. They found their own way to fight on the cultural frontline and support Ukraine, raising their voices and mobilizing their human capital. Moreover, many musicians began to donate and raise funds for humanitarian aid by giving concerts and participating in music festivals. The impact being made by Ukrainian musicians is huge.