Album Review: Russkaja - Turbo Polka Party

#VIMH #NEWMUSIC #RUSSKAJA #NAPALMRECORDS #METAL #POLKA

So I’m kind of getting into Russkaja at the wrong time. As they released this album, they announced shortly after that they were ending the band. The reason given being the current ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The band makes satirical use of Soviet symbols and language and they cannot go on without feeling bitterness when they play these songs, as many of them have come to have other meanings. There are other factors as well, if you are interested in those then you can find statements from the band on their social media outlets . Let’s not focus on the negative of this unique band of musicians ending though, and instead celebrate something great and fun.

‘Turbo Polka Party’, which is the final album release of Russkaja, is a fun metal-polka album that does exactly what the album is called. You can play this anywhere and have yourself a turbo polka party. With great usage of instruments you would find in a polka band, horns and the like, you will be hopaking across the dance floor all night long.

‘No Borders’ is the opening track, and probably one of my favorites on the album. It really gets the album moving and puts you in the right mindset. ‘Paschli’ is another great upbeat tune that keeps the party going and was one of the singles off of the album. ‘New Life’ not only has the recognizable polka influences, but it also has pretty obvious reggae influence as well during the verse with the crisp, clean upstrokes on the guitar that we are all familiar with. Did you know that they also did a a cover of Wham’s ‘Last Christmas’? It’s actually a really great, despite it being everywhere during the holidays. It’s different, but in a good way that brings a new flavor the classic Christmas track.

All in all, I really enjoyed this album, and although it’s Russkaja’s last album as a band, hopefully they can come together under a different name and continue to create unique and fun music. It really feels like music is really losing a gem, but ‘Turbo Polka Party’ is a great note to go out on though. It’s fun, and you’ll find yourself bopping along to the beat more often than not. Check out ‘Turb Polka Party’ out right now, on Napalm Records.

Stay Furious,

Bill