The Ukranian artist Скубут (Skubut)—now located in Vienna, Austria—announces his third studio album Pogranichnyi, which was self-released on May 17th. Meaning “borderline” in Ukranian, the ten-track LP is just that: it teases between the variables of old and new darkwave and coldwave genres, acting as a solid border between the decades-long legacy within this specific branch of post-punk music. Retaining the vulnerability and vibrance of 1980s darkwave progenitors such as the Polish band Siekiera, Скубут encompasses the atmospheric bleakness of unfettered darkwave.
The first track, “T’ma” (which translates to “dark”) is, as Скубут describes, “a journey into the night, where the darkness becomes a comforting and eternal fate. Dark and beautiful.” From the heartbreak of the song’s introductory synths to the sweeping strings and climbing guitar patterns, Скубут encapsulates sorrow. “T’ma” would fit next to any of Fabrika Records‘ output or within a proper Twin Tribes or Ploho playlist.
Listen below:
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