Pshonka is a Ukrainian-born, Brisbane, Australia-based alternative pop artist who has just caught my attention thanks to her new EP. A feast of dark fantasy and ’80s synths, it’s called Cities of Skin.

By Graeme Smith

In Cities of Skin, Pshonka describes her dream of living another life on Mars, and this is worth bearing in mind before you enter her fascinating and unique world. Sci-fi instrumentals nestle closely to folk and jazz elements in a mix that is difficult to describe genre-wise. What’s certain is that Pshonka is an innovator akin to David Bowie and Kate Bush.

The title track sets the scene through its plodding and textured arrangement before we move into the tongue-in-cheek entitled Dance track. The tempo ramps up and acoustic guitar melds with disco percussion. It certainly is a dance track, but there’s a sadness and introspection to it too. That is until layers of soaring electronica transport you to the stratosphere. It’s a highlight.

Peter is a piece of gentle yet complex storytelling. Alluding to the story of Peter Pan, it speaks once again of escape to another world. A Russian chorus proves to be an earworm despite the language barrier and it’s impossible not to move to its groove.

The EP’s final chapter is the ballad Rain below. A brooding verse gives way to big beats and stinging vocals in the chorus. Producer Marlon Grunden elevates Pshonka’s originality here and it’s simply a stunning way to wrap things up.

Cities of Skin is one of the best records I’ve heard all year, and I try not to say things like that lightly. Innovative yet accessible, it coalesces around a coherent theme, brings plenty of emotion and, most of all, is a joy to listen to. Pshonka deserves to be among the pantheon of artists who made it big by breaking all the rules, and I’ve no doubt that one day she will be.

You can listen to the whole of Cities of Skin below.