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Hit of the day
Мій колишній PALMYRA
PALMYRA is a Kyiv indie-pop project by Anna Mykhalchuk: melancholic melodies, ethereal vocals, and a dreamlike world you enter for mood, not for glossy video fame. It’s a brand of atmosphere — nostalgia, reflection, intimate female storytelling — not a classic TV “star biography.”
The sound is deep contemporary indie / dream-pop: soft synths, acoustic and electronic layers, sometimes drum-and-bass or slowed versions for digital. Music is written with Elvin Kerimov and Dmytro Yashchuk; Anna’s lyrics hold a personal drama of relationships. Albums “Sama” (2024) and the concept record “Afrodita” (2025) map a path from toxicity toward the self and real closeness.
PALMYRA is a Kyiv indie-pop project by Anna Mykhalchuk: melancholic melodies, ethereal vocals, and a dreamlike world you enter for mood, not for glossy video fame. It’s a brand of atmosphere — nostalgia, reflection, intimate female storytelling — not a classic TV “star biography.”
The sound is deep contemporary indie / dream-pop: soft synths, acoustic and electronic layers, sometimes drum-and-bass or slowed versions for digital. Music is written with Elvin Kerimov and Dmytro Yashchuk; Anna’s lyrics hold a personal drama of relationships. Albums “Sama” (2024) and the concept record “Afrodita” (2025) map a path from toxicity toward the self and real closeness.
Key tracks differ in character: “Nepotriben” — a sticky indie hit with emotional punch; “Shibari” and “Vin” — a darker, bodily, mythic line from “Afrodita”; “Zablukala,” “Tvoi ruky” — about closeness and not running from feeling; “Layuchi kvity,” “Malenka zhinka,” “Za litakamy,” “Lito” — the early recognizable layer. Nearby sit “Arsenalna,” “Miy Kolyshniy,” “Kontrol,” “kryshtaleva.”
Growth runs through streaming, Radio Promin, Instagram/YouTube, and an indie audience that values emotion over chart formula. On Apple Music — PALMYRA (ID 1592864080, Indie Pop). Do not confuse with same-named Western or electronic acts.
Today’s entry into the catalog: hit play, open the lyrics or a guide — then follow related tracks from here.
Hit of the week
Юности ночи Igor Balan
Igor Volodymyrovych Balan is a Ukrainian singer, composer, arranger and songwriter. He was born on February 19, 1972 in Mala Vyska, Kirovohrad Oblast. He studied at music school from childhood and graduated from the Kirovohrad Music College. During his studies he formed the rock band Galactic News, later renamed Vakula's Band; the group performed at festivals and on the TV show Rock Polygon, but disbanded due to financial difficulties.
In 1993 Balan founded the techno-pop project Aqua Vita (Latin for "living water"). The debut album Unspoken Words (1994) took the band to the final of Chervona Ruta 1995. After vocalist Iryna Filatova joined, the group became one of Ukraine's most popular dance projects of the late 1990s. Collaboration with the Territory A agency and the album And Now Everything Is Different (1997) brought mass success; hits Tekhnotronutyy, Kapelukh, Khmary rozstantut, Poplach and Pole azartu were heard across the country.
Igor Volodymyrovych Balan is a Ukrainian singer, composer, arranger and songwriter. He was born on February 19, 1972 in Mala Vyska, Kirovohrad Oblast. He studied at music school from childhood and graduated from the Kirovohrad Music College. During his studies he formed the rock band Galactic News, later renamed Vakula's Band; the group performed at festivals and on the TV show Rock Polygon, but disbanded due to financial difficulties.
In 1993 Balan founded the techno-pop project Aqua Vita (Latin for "living water"). The debut album Unspoken Words (1994) took the band to the final of Chervona Ruta 1995. After vocalist Iryna Filatova joined, the group became one of Ukraine's most popular dance projects of the late 1990s. Collaboration with the Territory A agency and the album And Now Everything Is Different (1997) brought mass success; hits Tekhnotronutyy, Kapelukh, Khmary rozstantut, Poplach and Pole azartu were heard across the country.
After the main lineup disbanded in 2000, Balan continued as a composer and arranger, writing songs for other artists. The album Vyuga was released in 2002. In 2011 he revived Aqua Vita with vocalist Olena Titarenko and received the Smaraghodova Lyra award in the Music category. Since 2021 he has been releasing solo albums and singles as Igor Balan.
Since 2023 his daughter Alisa Balan has performed alongside him in Aqua Vita. The musician continues to tour and release new music — recent solo works include the albums I Like You (2021), See You Soon (2024), Kholodno and I Remember You (2025), and Zagulayu do utra (2026).
This week’s catalog beacon: listen to the pick, read the lines, and browse the guides — then choose your own path.
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