DESCRIPTION
Proudly presenting ‘Калі ты запытаеш (If You Ask)’ — a brand new, blissed-out pop production with a ‘70s AOR touch by the ever-on-point SOYUZ (СОЮЗ). Released between full-length projects, this single is backed by a charming B-side, ‘Tenório’, and features guest appearances from sensational musicians Biel Basile (O Terno, Sessa) and Anthony Ferraro (Toro Y Moi, Astronauts, etc.). Longtime friends of the band, they add their signature flair on drums and synth, respectively.
The title track, ‘Калі ты запытаеш (If You Ask)’, is a gentle meditation on lost dreams. A nostalgic and emotional song that can be interpreted either as a bittersweet longing for childhood or for a homeland one cannot return to. As songwriter Alex Chumak notes:
"In my case, as in the case of many Belarusians, it’s both."
Sung in Alex’s native Belarusian language, the track is a tribute to a sonority he feels is underrepresented in pop music. He shares:
"It’s a beautiful legacy and sonority that I wanted to share with the listeners of our project around the world."
Key influences include the pioneering Belarusian band Песняры (Pesniary) — known for progressive folk, jazz fusion, and AOR sung in Belarusian — as well as the rich, sentimental musical stylings of Beto Guedes, Lô Borges, Fernando Oly, and Wagner Tiso from Brazil’s Minas Gerais scene of the 1970s.
Following the departure of drummer Anton, SOYUZ adapted by embracing remote collaboration. With recording at Biel Basile’s São Paulo studio (previously used on Sessa’s Estrela Acesa, which Alex also contributed to), drums were tracked straight to tape for that warm, analogue feel. Anthony Ferraro added a lush Solina String Ensemble synth layer, with Albert Karch assisting in production and recording.
To bring the visual to life, Alex partnered with Brazilian visual artist Gabriel Rolim. Together they spent a radiant May day in Berlin shooting on film — one of the stills became the cover artwork that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of this release.
A tender gem of modern melodic pop and international collaboration, this release offers a golden glimpse into what’s still to come from SOYUZ.
TRACKLIST
A Side
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SOYUZ – Калі ты запытаеш (If You Ask)
B Side
2. SOYUZ – Tenório