Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Xaxaxa
Label: Moonlee Records
Release: 08.09.2014
Length: 33:32
Rating: 4/5
Xaxaxa are yet another miracle of Macedonian alternative rock, with a totally recognizable, one-of-a-kind musical stance all their own. The hyperactive trio has now morphed into a quartet with a new member: guitarist Deni Krstev, who also plays in Fonija. Xaxaxa are putting out their third album in four years. The first two studio albums helped the band cement its special musical charisma, and that opened the doors to concert stages and to the hearts of alternative rock fans who value artistry over packaged eclecticism. The new album takes a bold artistic step forward. With it, Xaxaxa stretch their sonic and stylistic range. »Sami maži i ženi« is a hugely successful album of transition toward a new sound, and that only strengthens the band’s position as one of the most interesting alternative rock acts in southeastern Europe. Alongside the fiercely original work of fellow Macedonians like Arhangel or Bernays Propaganda, Xaxaxa are with this album slowly but surely claiming the status of one of the most important alternative rock bands in this part of Europe
The album keeps its socially critical edge and takes aim at patriotism too, which is really what the band’s earlier work was about as well. It’s also worth noting that the official release date is September 8, the same date as its predecessor »Siromašni i bogati«. That’s the day Macedonia declared its independence and sovereignty. The snippets of dialogue from the film »Najdolgiat pat« (1976), along with clips of Yugoslav sports commentators tied to the undisputed heroics of former Yugoslav goalscorer Darko Pančev, only drive home the (frankly disgusting) intolerance of the southeastern neighbor, famous for its economy and flourishing fascism, toward the young Macedonian state.
The use of Macedonian lyrics reinforces the musical uniqueness of the pose Xaxaxa strike. In that respect, Xaxaxa’s brand of alternative rock stands out even more, since it carries a strong »Macedonian« attitude. On the new album, Xaxaxa decided to redefine their sound, or let’s just say freshen it up. The transition pays off in full. The band kept the distinctive character of its musical profile while successfully reshaping its stylistic frame. They’ve put more melody into the new sound, and more tracks grow out of major keys, even though the feeling of anxiety is kept totally authentic and carried over from earlier works.
Vasko Atanasoski’s vocal quirks are put to skillful use in the new production. Vasko sticks even more to his clean voice, which in the freshened-up production picks up a sense of »extra-terrestrial« otherworldliness, especially in the higher registers. It’s like listening to an alien from another world, from the beyond. It deepens the effect of staring into the void, almost astral, even hypnotic. This adds to the massive wall of sound built on guitar riffs, which hold up the core of the noisy backdrop through an extreme minimalism of chords, a seriously catchy contrast, and even a post-rock ring.
The production and arrangements are much more concise and thought-out this time. With the melody placed more prominently, the songs hit even harder and grab your attention in an instant. In that sense, you could say Xaxaxa have become even more radio-friendly, and a touch trendy too, leaning toward indie rock. Through all of this, they’ve kept their musical identity and instantly recognizable originality firmly intact. So the new album is an evolutionary step forward in the band’s maturing, along a healthy, which is to say natural, path.
Lineup
Vasko Atanasoski – vocals, guitar
Dani Krstev – guitars
Nenad Trifunovski bass guitar
Džano Kuč – drums
Production
Ivica Jankulovski & Dani Krstev
Tracklist
1. 2 milioni trkalački kamenja
2. Radio motorika
3. Ema
4. Sami maži i ženi
5. Sakam doma da živeam
6. Svetomir
7. Vlae salep
8. Ti što voziš velosiped
9. Sakam doma da živeam *
10. Zatvor ili bogataška kukja *
*… bonus tracks on the disc
