Music Around the World: Belarus

Heyo, we are back with our Musical World Tour! This week, we're visiting the Eastern European nation of Belarus. Known for its rich cultural heritage, gorgeous landscapes, extensive forests, and notable contributions to literature, music, and sports, Belarus of course has a diverse and entertaining music scene. Here's our info dump to give us the low down:

-Capital City: Minsk

-Official Languages: Belarusian & Russian (other recognized languages include Polish, Ukrainian, and Yiddish)

-Government: Unitary semi-presidential republic under an authoritarian dictatorship, currently under the leadership of President Alexander Lukashenko & Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin

-Belarus was originally Kievan Rus', the first East Slavic state founded in 882; it became the Belarusian Democratic Republic in March 1918; became a part of the USSR in January 1919; declared state sovereignty in July 1990; declared independence from the USSR in August 1991; became the Republic of Belarus in September 1991; ratified their current constitution in March 1994; and formed their Union State in December 1999

-Land Area: 80,153 square miles (84th largest nation in the world)

-Population: 9,109,280 estimated as of 2025 (98th most populous nation in the world)

-Religion: 83.3% Eastern Orthodox Christian; 7.8% no religious affiliation; 7.7% other Christian denomination; 1.2% other religious affiliation

-Drive on the right side of the road

Modern Belarusian music includes a lot of rock, pop, and traditional music, with artists typically singing in either Belaruisan or Russian. The country is home to music festivals such as the Slavic Bazaar and The Music Festival of Young Belarus. Some of this music could sound right at home on Western radio, and some of it has a really neat, distinct, folky Slavic sound to it. Let's go ahead and check out what we have today!

Fairytale by Alexander Rybak (written by K. Bergseth, T. Samoy, A. Rybak)

Alexander Rybak is a Belarusian-Norwegian singer, songwriter, violinist, and actor. Born in Minsk in May 1986, his family defected to Norway when he was a young child, where he attended Oslo's Barratt Due Institute of Music from ages 10-26. In addition to singing and violin, Rybak also plays piano and Hardanger fiddle, and has performed pop, folk, soft rock, and classical crossover music for the last twenty-one years and as both performed and judged at Eurovision (usually representing Norway) mltiple times. Rybak has released 5 studio albums since 2009, with Fairytale originally featured on his 2009 album of the same name. This was fun, and definitely fits in with a lot of other pop music from that year. He definitely gives off Eurovision vibes, but not in a bad way. The lyrics could be a little more substantial, but the violin is excellent.

Years ago, when I was younger/I kinda liked a girl I knew/She was mine, and we were sweethearts/That was then, but then it’s true/I’m in love with a fairytale/Even though it hurts/‘Cause I don't care if I lose my mind/I’m already cursed

Я Буду Жить для Тебя by Angelica Agurbash (written by A. Agurbash, V. Matetskyi)

Angelica Yalinskaya, known professionally as Angelica Agurbash, is a Belarusian singer, actress, model, and television presenter. Born in Minsk in May 1970, she was crowned Miss Belarus 1988 while she was attending the Belarusian Academy of Arts and was a member of the band Verasy for five years in the '90s before embarking on a solo career, including performing for Belarus at Eurovision 2005. Agurbash has performed primarily pop music for the last thirty-five years. She has released 12 studio albums since 1995, with Я Буду Жить для Тебя (I Will Live for You in English) originally featured on her 2007 album of the same name. This was admittedly not my favorite song on this post. It felt dated, even for the time of release, but Agurbash's vocals were ok. An English translation of the original Belarusian lyrics is below.

Silence melts tenderness like candle wax/Time heals, but you are silent/But then you'll forgive everything/You will understand that there is no way back/Like the world at the end of the corridor/Through the lie of the truth the world/I will live for you/I promise, over the edge of the abyss/I will guide you, give it to me/My hand will be with you/I will live for you/You hear, forever, with your love endlessly/I will save us both, my angel, my angel

Капитал by Lyapis Trubetskoy (written by S. Mihalok)

Lyapis Trubetskoy is a Belarusian rock, ska punk, and anarchist music group. Formed in 1990 in Minsk, they disbanded and split into two separate bands (Brutto and Trubetskoy) in 2014 before coming back together in 2022 in support of Ukraine. The group's current lineup includes Siarhei Mihalok, Pavel Bulatnikov, Ruslan Vladyko, Denis Sturchenko, Pavel Kozyukovich, Ivan Galushko, and Denis Shurov. Lyapis Trubetskoy has released 24 studio albums since 1995, with Капитал (Capital in English) originally included on their 2007 album of the same name. I was for whatever reason expecting this one to be a little harder than it was, but I ended up liking it. The ska and punk elements definitely shine through here. An English translation of the original Belarusian lyrics is below.

I eat gold bars for lunch/Diamond dessert, petroleum cream/My name is Beelzebub, the master of the stratosphere/I am unreal cool, my respect is without measure/In the left hand, Snickers, in the right hand, Mars/My PR manager is Karl Marx/In the left hand, Snickers, in the right hand, Mars/My PR manager is Karl Marx/Capital/Capital/Capital/Capital

Жить в кайф by Max Korzh (written by M. Korzh)

Maksim "Max" Korzh is a Belarusian rapper, singer, songwriter, and director. Born in Luninyets (about 149 miles southwest of Minsk) in November 1988, he was enrolled in music school as a young child and became part of his first band at age 16. Since then, he's explored hip hop, alt rock, and rap rock music over the last nineteen years. Korzh has released 7 studio albums since 2012, with Жить в кайф (Live Dope in English) originally featured on his 2013 album of the same name. I wasn't really sure what to expect here, but I certainly didn't hate it. He has a raspy quality to his voice that I honestly dug. An English translation of the original Belarusian lyrics is below.

Mother Valya was spinning in hysterics/Father Tolya froze in the background/The most severe chaos reigned within a meter radius/When it became clear to everyone: son was left without a degree/Mom, don't scream, stop crying, don't you dare/I do not argue - it is necessary, but listen, father/I have my own vibe, and on my own vibe/I have success waiting for me somewhere/God, how I wanted to see the world/And, as I would consider it necessary to live, I dreamed/And then one day, as usual, I was flying in my dream/Suddenly I saw the sun, and then I said to myself/I choose to live dope/I choose to live dope/I choose to live dope/I choose to live dope

Судно (Борис Рыжий) by Molchat Doma (written by R. Kamahortsau, Y. Shkutko, B. Ryzhiy)

Molchat Doma (Houses are Silent in English) is a Belarusian post punk, dark wave, new wave, synth pop, cold wave, and minimal wave group. Formed in 2017 in Minsk, they have achieved popularity not only in Belarus, but throughout Europe and North America as well. The group's current lineup includes Yahor Shkutko (lead vocals), Raman Kamahortsau (guitar, synthesizer, drum machine), and Pavel Kazlou (bass guitar, synthesizer). Molchat Doma has released 4 studio albums since 2017, with Судно (Борис Рыжий) (Bedpan (Boris Ryzhy) in English) originally included on their 2018 album Etazhi (Floors in English). I was, again, surprised by this one. It's a very alt/indie rock type of sound reminiscent of the '10s, sounding both modern and nostalgic for the '80s, and I ended up really liking it a lot. An English translation of the original Russian lyrics is below.

Enameled vessel/A window, a bedside table, a bed/Life is hard and uncomfortable/But it's comfortable to die/Enameled vessel/A window, a bedside table, a bed/Life is hard and uncomfortable/But it's comfortable to die/And quietly drips from the tap/And life is disheveled as hell/It appears as if from a fog/And he sees: a bedside table, a bed

Мама by NAVIBAND (written by A. Lukyanenka)

NAVIBAND is a Belarusian indie rock, indie pop, indie folk, folk rock, and acoustic rock group. Formed in 2013 in Minsk, they represented Belarus at Eurovision 2017, placing 17th, which is Belarus's fourth highest placement in the contest's history. The group's current lineup includes Artsiom Lukyanenka (vocals, guitar), Kseniya Zhuk (vocals, keyboards), Aliaksandr Tabolski (electric guitar), Uladzislaǔ Čaščavik (bass guitar), and Uladzimir Biehier (drums). NAVIBAND has released 5 studio albums since 2014, with Мама (Mom in English) originally released as a single in 2024. This one was ok. It had some cool moments, but I kept wanting it to be more singer/songwritery. An English translation of the original Belarusian lyrics is below.

Hold me close/Sway me again while I'm sleeping/Let me return to the kids' world/I will come to you/Without losing my track/As the storks return back in spring/Mom/I had a nightmare today/Where everything was not the way you said/Where everything was hidden in shadow

My Belarusy by New Japan Philharmonic & Senji Ozawa (written by M. Klimkovič, U. Karyzna, N. Sakałowski)

My Belarusy is the national anthem of Belarus. The melody was composed by Soviet composer Niescier Sakałowski and was adopted in 1955. The current lyrics were written by Belarusian poets Michas Klimkovič and Uladzimir Karyzna in 2002 to change the original lyrics from when they were a part of the USSR. An English translation of the original Belarusian lyrics is below.

We, Belarusians, are peaceful people/Wholeheartedly devoted to our Motherland/We are faithful friends, growing up/Living in a hardworking and independent family/Glory to the blessed name of our land/Glory to the brotherly union of peoples/Our dearly beloved Motherland/May you live long and prosper, Belarus/Our dearly beloved Motherland/May you live long and prosper, Belarus

Try Čarapachi by N.R.M. (written by L. Volski)

N.R.M. is a Belarusian rock group. Formed in 1981 in Minsk under the name Mroja, they are widely considered to be Belarus's most popular rock band and, in classic punk rock fashion, tend to stand firmly against the Belarusian government to the point where they were unofficially banned from FM radio broadcasts for three years in the late '00s. The group's current lineup includes Pete Pawlaw (guitar, lead vocals), Yuras' Ljaukou (bass guitar), and Aleg Dzemidovich (drums). N.R.M. has released 17 studio albums since 1986 (7 as Mroja, 10 as N.R.M.), with Try Čarapachi (Three Turtles in English) originally included on their 2000 album of the same name. I again wasn't sure what to expect here, but this was a total banger. It felt very classic punk, has a catchy melody, and I totally get how this is their biggest song. An English translation of the original Belarusian lyrics is below.

When you feel a smell of the municipal service/And the life puts a noose around your neck/You’ll understand then that the three turtles/Still pull the earth/When you go out to the city or climb the mountains/And get in touch with the people/You’ll understand then that today, as it was yesterday/Our place is on three whales/Hey la-la-la-lai/Don’t wait, there’ll be no surprises/Hey la-la-la-lai/Don’t wait, don’t wait

Месяц by Palina (written by P. Palanyeychyk)

Palina Palanyeychyk, known professionally as Palina, is a Belarusian singer. Born in Minsk in April 1994, she wrote her first song when she was 14 and has since gone on to release several singles and participate in Season 9 of Ukraine's X-Factor. In addition to singing, Palina also plays piano and guitar, and has been performing primarily pop music for the last thirteen years. She has released 2 studio albums since 2015, with Месяц (Moon in English) originally featured on her 2022 EP of the same name. This was a cool, artsy, indie type song that I ended up liking a lot. She has a kind of quality to her voice reminiscent of Feist or Billie Eilish, or even the French singer Odelly. An English translation of the original Belarusian lyrics is below.

The month will be long/There are only bad, bad wolves in the district/And you are a lost sheep for them/You run scared/White shirt/And it's like a salute, but how hard it is/The sky sparkles with nervous tension/You will not object to him/And I want to whine/And there is nothing to look for/And I dream of snowfall

Ai Vis Lo Lop / Smells Like Teen Spirit (Instrumental) by Stary Osla (written by K. Cobain, D. Grohl, K. Novoselic)

Stary Osla is a Belarusian rock, folk rock, and medieval rock group. Formed in 1999, they perform medieval Ruthenian (East Slavic) music as well as medieval classical covers of rock songs. The group's current lineup includes Źmicier Sasnoǔski (bagpipes, lyre, mandolin, gusli, percussion, vocals), Maryja Šaryj (flute, shawms), Aleś Čumakoǔ (lyre, mandolin, gusli, vocals), Illia Kublicki (lute, organ), Siarhiej Tapčeǔski (drums, percussion, tromba marina), and Aliaksiej Vojciech (drums, percussion). Stary Osla has released 14 studio albums since 2000, with Ai Vis Lo Lop / Smells Like Teen Spirit originally included on their 2016 album Medieval Classic Rock. I honestly loved this, being an absolute sucker for medieval era music, cool mashups, and interesting covers of well-known songs. Ai Vis Lo Lop is a French medieval song that translates in English to I Saw the Wolf. I highly recommend checking this one out.

I hope you found some cool new music and artists to explore this week. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!