Fly

Marichka and Mark Marczyk's Balaklava Blues was realised on the barricades during the 2014 Ukrainian revolution. Inspired by the traditional folk music from the part of Ukraine afflicted by war and dedicated to supporting those still fighting for democracy and freedom, they started singing and performing together, creating one of the most innovative and emotionally powerful projects on the European music scene.

Fly, their debut long play, is filled with monumental, energetic beats and haunting, white-voiced singing by Marichka Marczyk in both English and Ukrainian. The album echoes with works of Nicola Cruz and Gooral and it speaks with an honesty and emotiveness that would be understood and admired by both the audience at a folk music festival and at a warehouse all-night rave. Fly showcases the interesting versatility of the musicians: ‘Boom Boom’ is embroidered with intricate, detailed production and delicate vocal arrangements, ‘Underground’ shouts out an a capella manifesto and ‘Balloons’ is a bittersweet waltz ballad. ‘Sex’, a track tucked in the middle of these musical and political explorations, is an unexpected, humorous pastiche of an erotic R&B song that could successfully win over a nightclub dance floor. Marichka and Mark Marczyk, juggling with musical ideas and statements, are trying to heal the trauma and reclaim their freedom of expression, while indeed creating a unique piece of art.