Recorded and filmed in Kyiv during power cuts, Live in Kyiv captures Monokate in a darker, guitar-driven mode, blending melancholic indie pop, trip-hop, and darkwave with an increasingly anthemic alternative-rock edge. Ukrainian singer and songwriter Kate Pavlenko, formerly of Go_A, leads the six-track live EP, which pairs reworked songs with previously unreleased material.
“Пахнеш” opens the performance with haunting momentum, as dreamy guitar pulses pair with Monokate’s ghostly, subdued initial lead demeanor. The arrival of intertwining harmonic layers and chugging, climactic guitars delights in its post-punk vigor, culminating in a lovely rhythm-first sequence around 01:45. Shortly thereafter, an eruption in guitar distortion combines with soaring phrasing enthrallment, for a lovely display of Monokate’s ability to traverse both spacious intrigue and anthemic rock emotion. Ensuing track “Хлопчик” begins with a mellower key-forward presence, as glistening guitars propel into her enveloping delivery, progressing into moody guitar jangles, before a satiating delivery elongation just before the performance’s six-minute mark.
Another standout performance is of “Говори,” where chiming piano and trickling guitars synergize with atmospheric captivation, while set finale “Синтезувати струм” ventures into the darker synth-touched realm, finding a lovely balance between simmering synth darkness, sporadic guitar twangs, and empowering delivery build-ups into an erupting rock finale. Live in Kyiv is an exceptional live set from Monokate, exemplary of the artist’s quality songwriting and tendency for gripping live performances.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
