The last dancers
Empty galaxy
Dzhankoy’s children
And spiritual practices.
We have not lost the sea within ourselves.
What is our colour?
In the sphere of Belarusian post-punk, Sož shares a kinship with fellow bands Molchat Doma and Nürnberg. While they certainly embrace the inspiration of their influences and predecessors, Sož distinguishes themselves by eschewing the label of “post-Soviet.” Instead, they delve deep, illuminating the evolving Belarusian society and its arduous path to post-colonial self-definition. The group is emblematic of the surge in Belarusian bands relocating throughout Europe, a trend that gained traction after the nation’s political turmoil in 2020. Consequently, Sož now calls Poland home.
“We have changed so much, goddamn…but we have not changed a bit!” says the band. “That’s a mantra of this song, and a core essence of any creative soul in music. Revolution, war, emigration, sins and rehabs, love and hate – we have seen maybe even too much than we would expect in our age. In our new video one can see how our “philosophers’ ship” looks right now.”
The lyrics convey the sentiment of isolation and introspection as the last dancers on a deserted dance floor. While time and circumstances have evolved, their essence remains unchanged. They grapple with identity, symbolized by their color, and amidst all external changes, they retain their intrinsic spirit and essence.
The song references Dzhankoy, a town situated in northern Crimea. Historically, Crimea has been a nexus of various empires and boasts a diverse cultural heritage. While it transitioned from the Russian SFSR to the Ukrainian SSR in 1954, its modern status remains contentious. Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, widely unrecognized internationally, continues to fuel debates, positioning Crimea, and by extension Dzhankoy, as emblematic of the ongoing struggle for identity amidst geopolitical upheaval.
Today, Sož unveils a fresh animated visual for the poignant lead track of their latest EP, “Apošnija Tancory” (translated as “Last Dancers” in Belarusian). This contemplative six-minute visual tour de force comes to life courtesy of Al Medwedsky, the band’s cherished fifth collaborator, who had previously fashioned their debut animated piece for “Malako” (or “Milk“).
Watch below:
Sož is an electro post-punk band coming from Homiel, Belarus, called by the name of the local river. The band recently released their debut EP Apošnija Tancory, with additional videos for Malako, Stotis. Sož is now working on its debut LP, playing shows in Poland.
“Next step is the album, which we would love to present on board a ship,” the band concludes.
Pick up the Apošnija Tancory EP here.
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