Okean Elzy. Veseli, brate, chasy nastaly... (single). (Merry Times Have Come, Brother...) // www.UMKA.com.ua

This single of the group "Okean Elzy" is something much more than just promotion or charity, or any other trick. It is the first signs, for which all old admirers of the group have already been waiting so long that they almost no longer hoped to finally see it. It is a song with which Vakarchuk and "Okean Elzy" reject the already habitual image of an oppressed lyrical character – and takes quite a precise personal and social position. In my opinion, only thus creativity of the group can turn into real pure rock, without impurity and compromises. Here, the topic is no longer unhappy love. Here, the issue is freedom. More than that, the desire and ability to defend one’s freedom, to consciously struggle for it. If Svyatoslav Vakarchuk keeps his word and the whole next album of the group is created in the same spirit – "Okean Elzy" will have all chances to make a real revolution. As lately nobody of Ukrainian rockers has released an album with up-to-date social songs – everyone has concentrated on music, texts have faded into the background. And merry times have come, indeed, – so, most likely, it is no longer possible to deal without lyrics. And let them be right...

Anton Jozhik Leyba (Hedgehog)

Oleh Skrypka. Schedryk /Carol of the Bells. (single). /digi-pack/

For almost a century "Schedryk" has been traveling in the world in the truly fantastic arrangement of the genius Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych. However, one should not forget that the age of the schedrivka as it is must be already more than a thousand years, and every generation of performers fills it with energy and pulsations of its time.

Domestic price: 40.14UAH, International price: $8.92USD

Vopli Vidopliassova. Chio Chio San. (single). /digi-pack/.

The new work by VV managed to cause a lot of agitation even before the official release – and that was absolutely deserved. This refers both to the song, and the video for it – Oleg Skrypka and his friends are not afraid of subjecting themselves to creative experiments, that is why the video "Chio Chio San" for many became a real surprise..

Domestic price: 35.64UAH, International price: $7.92USD

Tartak. Ukrajino, Zabyvaj! (maxi single). /digi-pack/. (Ukraine, Score It!)

The variations differ from each other so much that you have nothing to do but be surprised – this sounds similarly cool with Balkan themes, and with electronic funk, and in other versions. Thus, I think, this disk can interest not only fans of "Tartak" but considerably wider audience as well.

Domestic price: 53.64UAH, International price: $11.92USD

ManSound. Hymn of Ukraine. (State Anthem of Ukraine)

All the three versions of the Hymn are variations in the range from gospel and soul to swing – and, to tell you the truth, all the tracks sound just cool. Common sense seems to prompt that we should expect for a skeptical attitude to this kind of experiments. But, dear guests, I insist – the disc is a very qualitative, joyful, live present for all admirers of jazz.

Domestic price: 49.14UAH, International price: $10.92USD

Okean Elzy. Veseli, brate, chasy nastaly... (single). (Merry Times Have Come, Brother...)

Oleh Skrypka. Schedryk /Carol of the Bells. (single). /digi-pack/

Vopli Vidopliassova. Chio Chio San. (single). /digi-pack/.

Tartak. Ukrajino, Zabyvaj! (maxi single). /digi-pack/. (Ukraine, Score It!)

ManSound. Hymn of Ukraine. (State Anthem of Ukraine)

Greenjolly. Razom nas bahato - nas ne podolaty! (Together we are many - we will not be defeated!)

Tanok Na Maydani Kongo. Zabuv. Maxi-Single.