“Queens” is a brand new extended play release by Polyvoda, a fascinating Ukranian band. The EP consists of four exceptional compositions like a self-titled track, “Drunken Road,” “Bonfire,” and “Homeless.” With these compositions, these outstanding musicians pay homage to women, portraying the female soul as fragile and sensual yet strong and determined. Soundwise, Polyvoda incorporates all the fundamentals of contemporary, modern, neo, and smooth jazz, but you’ll notice how some other styles found their way into this mindblowing sonic equation. Actually, Polyvoda combines all these jazz aesthetics with many different but complementary music genres to depict such versatile, fresh, rich, and luxurious sonic imagery. Therefore, don’t be surprised if you stumble upon some of the finest properties borrowed from retro and modern rhythm and blues, soul, hip-hop, lounge, etc. Polyvoda uses all these additional elements as more than necessary enhancements, accentuations, decorations, and other details that uplift these numbers on an entirely new level, while the band remains loyal to the primary sonic direction. Therefore, these experimentations with many different but complementary music genres resulted in a mesmerizing sonic journey that will undoubtedly appeal to all jazz fans and beyond.
This excellent extended play release commences with “Queens,” a marvelous composition that combines all the vital elements of modern rhythm and blues, hip-hop, lounge, and jazz. The outstanding vocal performance of a purposefully anonymous female singer/rapper serves as a centerpiece, as she delivers hypnotic vocal harmonies that glide over low, mid, and high notes with such ease. These vocal harmonies guide the listener throughout the composition, offering a layer of melodies that go beyond comprehension so many times. Of course, the trio provides more than necessary sonic support through equally enchanting keyboard leads, themes, melodies, harmonies, and ambiances, while the rhythm section contributes with beautiful low-end notes and complex song structures. “Queens” serves as an adequate overture into the luxurious world of Polyvoda, a band that immediately grabs your attention with vocal and instrumental performance and refuses to let go.
This mesmerizing sonic journey continues with “Drunken Road,” another tastefully assembled track combining all the elements listed above, but with more emphasis on rhythm and blues. Of course, goes beyond classic 4/4 rhythmic segments and incorporates odd time signatures for more complexity. The skillful bass player supports all these intricate drumming acrobations with equally complex, vividly hearable, warm-sounding basslines, while the keys add many impressive layers of cleverly assembled ambiances, chord progressions, melodies, and themes. It’s also good to mention that the anonymous singer handles these sonic maneuvers like a pro, delivering a premium vocal performance that could easily pair with many renowned names in the genre.
Coming up next is “Bonfire,” a song previously released as an introductory single. Hands down, it’s one of the best tracks you’ll hear on modern music scene. Modern jazz remains a rock-solid base, while the elements of neo-soul, rhythm, blues, and hip-hop switch depending on the current mood of the song. Once again, the entire band shines alongside the anonymous singer, keeping this musical story cohesive, balanced, and precise. It’s also impressive how they deliver even more brilliant ideas and intricate musicianship without losing consistency. Besides the regular vocal virtuosities, the drummer is a true star of the show with all the profoundly detailed beats, breaks, fills, and other percussive acrobatics dictating groove and tempo while simultaneously keeping the remainder of the band in line. Once again, the robust, warm-sounding basslines offer heaviness, depth, and clarity, fulfilling the ambiance and binding all the instrumentations together. It’s also good to mention that keyboards sound divine from scratch to finish, with a retro-sounding Rhodes delivering leads, themes, melodies, chord progressions, and atmospherics. If any composition showcases the brilliance of the entire band, it’s this one!
Polyvoda continues almost at the same pace but with a straightforward beat, unlike their previous songs where they showcase more intricate rhythmic structure. Still, “Homeless” rhythmically evolves as soon as the band kicks in. The drummer accentuates these detailed beats over the snare while the remainder of the band continuously levitates between cinematic ambient, chillout, and electro sound. Perhaps “Homeless” revolves around modern electronic music aesthetics, but it serves as a perfect closure of such an outstanding EP release. Like in their previous songs, Polyvoda shine with magnificent vocal, sonic, and rhythmic performance. There are elements of rap, hip-hop, and jazz incorporated into the song’s fabric, but they’re more subtle compared to the remainder of the material. “Homeless” proves Polyvoda is capable of writing, composing, arranging, recording, and producing songs in any music genre you desire.
“Queens” EP is an otherwordly audio experience that takes the listener on an ethereal voyage through the vast universe built upon elements of jazz, hip hop, rhythm and blues, lounge, and many other complementary music genres. Polyvoda, alongside their anonymous companion, prove they’re highly skilled and versatile musicians whose abilities go beyond comprehension so many times throughout the entire material. The EP is available on all streaming platforms. You should check it out immediately.
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