Today, Light in the Attic Records (LITA) proudly releases Even the Forest Hums: Ukrainian Sonic Archives 1971-1996—the first comprehensive collection of Ukrainian music recorded prior to, and immediately following, the USSR’s collapse. From subtly dissenting Soviet-era singles to DIY recordings from Kyiv’s vibrant underground scene, Even the Forest Hums chronicles the development of Ukraine’s rich musical landscape through rare folk, rock, jazz, and electronic recordings. Such rarities include “Vinegar” by Uksusnik, the first band from Gogol Bordello’s Eugene Hütz.
This week, The New York Times published an extensive feature on the release by Grayson Haver Currin, who called the release “an 18-track compendium of wildly diverse Ukrainian sounds that pulls back the curtain on a quarter-century of pop, post-punk, disco and experimental music largely made under Soviet control.” The collection has received acclaim from Pitchfork and Rolling Stone, who called it “one of the most eclectic albums you’ll ever hear.”
“This record is a labor of love and a long time coming,” says label owner Matt Sullivan. Over the course of the last five years, Sullivan, alongside producers David Mas (“DBGO”), Mark “Frosty” McNeill, and Ukrainian label Shukai Records worked tirelessly to compile a carefully curated, chronological playlist. But behind the scenes, ongoing war & politics would shape the evolution of the tracklist, which originally featured both Ukrainian and Russian artists. “We found ourselves in the midst of a larger political issue; what began as a broader overview of a sonically underrepresented region suddenly became quite the controversial project,” Sullivan continues, “so we decided to pivot and focus only on Ukrainian music. There were times when it felt impossible to bring this project to fruition, so to be sharing it with the world today is truly humbling and long overdue.”
Even the Forest Hums is now available on vinyl, CD, and digital. Guiding listeners through the physical editions of the album are insightful liner notes and track-by-track details by Vitalii “Bard” Bardetskyi—a Kyiv-based filmmaker, DJ and writer. The 2xLP is housed in a beautiful gatefold package showcasing Ukrainian artist Maria Prymachenko’s beloved and iconic folk paintings. The vinyl edition features a 20-page booklet with artist photos & liner notes in both English and Ukrainian, pressed on Clear Blue Sky & Sunflower Yellow wax; the CD edition features bonus content housed in a deluxe, 64-page hardbound book.
“In recent times,” reflects Bardetskyi, “Ukrainians have begun to look back and marvel at the depth, creativity, and advancement of musicians of previous generations.” Now, the rest of the world can enjoy these artists and their music as well. While some of the recordings featured here have become sought-after rarities in Ukraine, many of them have simply been lost to time and limited distribution. Finally, they can all have the spotlight they deserve. “This assemblage of sounds provides a view of Ukrainian music in a specific period of our history which we are finally turning over,” adds Bardetskyi. “I am personally happy that our sound archives are becoming part of the world. Hopefully, they will find their rightful place.”
Light in the Attic will donate a portion of proceeds directly to Livyj Bereh, a Kyiv-based volunteer group working to rebuild in the regions affected by ongoing war in Ukraine.
Even the Forest Hums 2-LP Vinyl Tracklist:
Side A
Kobza – Bunny
Shapoval Sextet – Oh, Get Ready, Cossack, There Will Be a March
Vodohrai – Remembrance
Kyrylo Stetsenko (feat. Tetiana Kocherhina) – Play, the Violin, Play
Side B
Vadym Khrapachov – Dance
Krok – Breath of Night Kyiv
Kyrylo Stetsenko (feat. Natalia Gura) – Oh, how, how?
Valentina Goncharova – Silence
Radiodelo – 90
Cukor Bila Smert’ – The Great Hen-Yuan’ River
Side C
Er. Jazz – Tea Ceremony
Iury Lech – Barreras
Yarn – Viella
Side D
The Hostilnia – Sick Song
Svitlana Nianio – Episode III
Omi – Transference
Ihor Tsymbrovsky – Beatrice
Even the Forest Hums: Ukrainian Sonic Archives 1971-1996 CD/Digital Tracklist:
1. Kobza – Bunny
2. Vodohrai – Remembrance
3. Kyrylo Stetsenko (feat. Tetiana Kocherhina) – Play, the Violin, Play
4. Vadym Khrapachov – Dance
5. Krok – Breath of Night Kyiv
6. Kyrylo Stetsenko (feat. Natalia Gura) – Oh, how, how?
7. Valentina Goncharova – Silence
8. Radiodelo – 90
9. Cukor Bila Smert’ – The Great Hen-Yuan’ River
10. Er. Jazz – Tea Ceremony
11. Uksusnik – North Wind
12. Iury Lech – Barreras
13. Yarn – Viella
14. The Hostilnia – Sick Song
15. Svitlana Nianio – Episode III
16. Omi – Transference
17. Ihor Tsymbrovsky – Beatrice
