ZeeKat – it Hertz EP (2018)

Bonimedia

• Alternative rock 
• Indie rock 
• Art rock 
• Fusion
• Electronic 
• Post-rock 
• Jazz rock 
• Progressive rock 
• Psychedelic rock 
• Improvised music 
• Sampledelic
• Ambient rock 
• Yacht rock

Comment: behind these eight compositions is the Polish artist Lukasz Padzik whose music is built on atmospheric synthesisers which used to rotate around vivid, frequently fusion-tinged guitars. The aforementioned pillars are variegated with vocal samples, interesting sampled and short wave radio induced minutiae, and treated electronic effects. The whole starts off with 2AM which is based on exuberant synthesiser slides, wide range progressive and jazz rock guitar framing and suggestive samples all the elements used to merge with each other. In fact, it is an excellent start for an album to develop into new and invigorating directions thereafter. Lukasz Padzik likes to stay within the borders to set out a more impressive picture, to get maximally festive and cinematic feeling from within it. At times those prog/fusion guitars are tuned into a more laid-back, yacht rock form. The fascinating release is a part of the discography of Bonimedia.

The Line Of Apollo – The Line Of Apollo EP (2017)

Bonimedia

• Punk rock 
• Emo 
• Alternative rock 
• Power pop

Comment: The Line Of Apollo is a combo from Russia whose handful of tracks is all but post-rock as mistakenly described at their Bonimedia Site. Come on, dear people, it is not an example of post-rock by seeing it at any angle being available. It does have nothing in common either with such bands as Mono or Stereolab which in turn are very diverse by its nature in comparison with one another. However, the particular one is a solid example of post-hardcore and emo rock and especially power pop which by lyrics is induced by unhappy love and harking back to memories (which is a kind of obsession on its own). Given that the songs are sung by male voice (in Russian) I have to admit most men used to idealize their (previous) relationships though there is actually no reason to do it. 

Eastern Block Guitars Compilation (2017)

Bonimedia

• Indie rock 
• Alternative rock 
• Alternative dance 
• Synth-rock 
• Electro-indie 
• Synth-pop 
• Electronic 
• Acid rock 
• Post-punk 
• Psych-rock 
• Industrial rock 
• Ska punk

Comment: this set of 26 tracks clocking in at a 90 minute is a great miscellany to reflect upon the quality of the region's music. The tremendous part consists of bands coming from Russia but some groups come from Lithuania, Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic and from some other countries. Secondly, the guitar music does not mean only some sort of strings but also the drums and different sort of keyboards most of them legendary Soviet synths like Polivoks. On the other side, the main accent is on guitars like Tonika, Musima, Jolana which were derivatives of the US-based crafty hardware. There are up enough tracks which do have more similarities with synth-pop and electro pop than die-hard classic rock. However, through the tremendous part of Russian bands there are also represented tracks reflecting upon the so-called Vyssotski's songwriting. And there is also up post-punk in the style of a rough, even experimental Kino. Xmas has already passed by there is a hint at it either. Let's listen to it. The favourite track of mine? I may be Photon's Discobolus, an astounding mix of cellophane tinged jangle pop and moderate dance vibes. It may be Superstruny's Cziestnaja Igra, an alternative rock example gravitating frantically toward psychedelic idols. The solid miscellany is compiled by the Polish Bonimedia led by Emil Bonifaczuk.