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Polyvoda is a genre-fluid band from Ukraine that emerged in 2022 during a difficult time in Kyiv. The band consists of Denys Levchenko on bass, Kyrylo Chykhradze on keys, and Mykhailo Birchenko on drums. They collaborate with international voices to express their shared experiences. In 2022, they released their first two singles, “Never Ending” and “Sirens,” which received positive reviews.
Now, a year later, Polyvoda has released their new track, “Bonfire.” This energetic song combines elements of modern jazz, hip-hop, neo-soul, and funk. It starts with an impressive drum solo and transitions into a sensual neo-soul sound with female vocals in the verse. The catchy bass melody ties everything together, and the chorus adds funky major chords from an electric organ, creating an emotional impact.
The song’s bridge takes a different direction, featuring a hip-hop chant reminiscent of artists like Little Simz or Sampa The Great. Intense percussion and dreamy keyboard passages accompany this section. Lyrically, “Bonfire” reflects the band’s personal feelings about the war that affected their home country. They draw a parallel between the ash produced by a bonfire and the ashes left by war, symbolizing destruction and rebirth. The song captures the emotional intensity and complexity of both love and war, showing that love can thrive even in chaotic times.
