Listen to the Dreamy Oldschool Post-Punk of Farforovye Koty’s “Мары” LP (Solo Project of Nürnberg’s Yury Luhautsou)

I look into your eyes

I don’t want to see you

What should I do?

In 2018, the underground music scene of Minsk, Belarus, saw the birth of Farforovye Koty (Porcelain Cats), a side project that crept out from the mind of Yury Luhautsou, the lead vocalist and bassist of the post-punk outfit Nürnberg. The name, plucked from a photographic still of porcelain cats, also graced the cover of their first demo release, setting the tone for a project steeped in otherworldy elegance.

This wasn’t just another band—it became a playground for Yury’s restless creativity, a space where the rules of a traditional setup didn’t apply. Farforovye Koty was never meant to be a static entity; it is constantly shifting, always open to new voices and ideas. Every collaborator who stepped into this world became part of the ensemble, adding layers to the sound and pushing boundaries. Over time, this experimental side venture evolved into more than just an outlet. Its songs infiltrated Yury’s work with Nürnberg, shaping the band’s direction and broadening its sonic horizons, with many of Nürnberg’s songs stemming from the creative roots of Farforovye Koty.

The music of Farforovye Koty is defined by its somber, moody, and atmospheric energy. It draws heavily from the 1980s Polish post-punk/new-wave/coldwave movement (zona fala) while incorporating experimental elements that push the boundaries of traditional post-punk.

Characterized by reverb-soaked guitars, minimalist synths, and lo-fi production techniques, the project’s core principle is to record all songs live without re-recording. This approach is rooted in Yury’s belief that music should retain the raw, spontaneous energy of a live performance, even when recorded. While most tracks are instrumental, some feature vocals in English, Belarusian, and Russian.

Yury’s latest full-length album, 2023’s мары (dreams), revisits the theme of porcelain cats on its cover and is a significant milestone for the artist. The album, mostly comprised of gorgeous instrumentals, explores the surreal and ethereal qualities of dreams, capturing these states of consciousness through music.

After the languid 4AD-sounding instrumental opener Каханне (Love), which shares DNA with The Cure and DIF Juz, Гвалт (Violence) delves deep into a catch guitar-driven storm of emotions, where airey vocals grapple with a volatile mix of anger and sorrow. The lyrics depict a mind on the edge, torn between violent impulses and the heavy burden of regret. The imagery is raw, highlighting a profound desire to escape the suffocating weight of these emotions, to obliterate memories, and to be free from the gnawing agony. There’s a chilling sense of desperation, a battle between self-destruction and the longing for oblivion.

The next track, Кветкі (Flowers), is a cinematic, synth-driven, old-school European darkwave instrumental that elegantly melds the essence of an 80s sci-fi synth score with the grandeur of a medieval procession.

The dark post-punk title track Мары is both buoyant and jangling, with skillful guitar work and windswept vocals. It vividly depicts soaring ambition only to be brought crashing down by brutal reality. The once-soaring dreams collide with the unyielding hardness of reality, leaving behind broken aspirations. This stark contrast paints a poignant reflection on the fragility of hope amidst life’s harshness.

Дэжавю (Deja vu) continues the languid and idyllic Cocteau Twins-like instrumental feel with its thick bass and reverbed guitar strumming. This flows into the more intricate Нептун (Neptune,) which, after a somber intro, gallops into the sunset with a rhythm that feels like a Gang of Four if they were to hang out with The Cure for too long and started veering into the realm of dream pop.

Радзіма (Homeland) is another synth-driven darkwave track, spine-tingling and eerie arpeggio that feels icy and tactile. The mixture of synths and intricate bass on the next track Невыносная лёгкасць быцця (Unbearable lightness of being), extends the cinematic feel, leading into Сон (Sleep), a dissociated daydream of guitar strumming and sighing reverb.

The album comes to a close with a vibrant instrumental refrain of Мары, evoking the sensation of the dreamer returning to reality. And with it, the memory of the preceding songs begins to fade, akin to the ephemeral nature of dreams.

Listen to “Мары” below via Spotify:

Ever since unleashing their inaugural demo in August 2018, Farforovye Koty has been as active as a kitten at 3 am. Their discography, comprising albums, EPs, singles, and collaborations, exemplifies an unwavering commitment to experimentation. Yury, the visionary behind the project, persistently manipulates soundscapes, with each release embarking on fresh sonic explorations.

Presently, Yury is embarking on a new endeavor—an album of remixes featuring talents such as Chvali, Pakuty, Skubut, and others. This forthcoming project is poised to infuse the band’s trademark melancholic essence with innovative electronic and experimental elements, promising an exciting evolution of their distinct musical identity.

Find Мары (dreams) on Bandcamp and Spotify, as well as many other singles and EPs, such as the recently released Solar Wind, whose bass-heavy old-school post-punk melody feels like it were an instrumental track from The Cure’s Faith era ala “Carnage Visors.”

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