Latvian music releases feature a wide range of genres, with musicians prioritizing music videos and short films over standalone single sections, lsm.lv reported. Established artists are forming new collectives and pursuing international collaborations, leading to an increase in English-language tracks.
galeniex Releases Second Album Biennāle
Repper galeniex released his second album titled “Biennāle,” featuring 15 compositions. The release includes collaborations with rappers Wiesulis, Ods, David Arms Deal, C4pars, and musician Keitija Bārbalie. “Biennāle” connects to the artist’s overarching concept that includes his debut album “Vernisāža” and mini-album “Ambrāža.” Producers Emīls Jansons (“reivs”) and Aleksandrs Karpavičius handled production duties, with additional contributions from Haralds Saknītis, Dāvids Asaris, Mārtiņš Ozoliņš–Ozols, and Bruno Tankelsons.
Gints Smukais Delivers Introspective Instrumentals
Acoustic guitarist Gints Smukais released his long-awaited album “Ekspresijas 1,” containing ten original compositions and two arrangements recorded over the past five years. The record features guest artists including hip-hop artist ansis, guitarists Rihards Lībietis and Jānis Kalniņš, saxophonist Artis Gāga, and cellist Erna Daugaviete. Recorded at AMFO Studio under the supervision of sound engineer Toms Lisments with support from an AKKA/LAA author scholarship, the album reflects recent global and individual upheavals. The artist plans to release the second part of the project in 2027.
Gints Smukais Plans Second Volume for 2027
Gints Smukais spent five years developing the compositions for “Ekspresijas 1,” and plans to release the second volume of the project in 2027.
Līga Kupča Reimagines Latvian Choral Motifs
Singer Līga Kupča released her debut album “Dziesmai šodien jauna diena,” which incorporates quotes and motifs from traditional Latvian choral music into new original compositions and arrangements. The eight-track record features references to works by composers such as Emīlis Melngailis, Aldonis Kalniņš, Pēteris Barisons, Pēteris Plakidis, and Jānis Ivanovs.
Evija Vēbere and Elīna Silova Form Sise
Experimental music artists Evija Vēbere and Elīna Silova launched a new collaborative project named “Sise,” pairing free improvisation and uninhibited vocals with modular synthesizers and live machinery noise. The duo released a music video for their track “Power,” directed by Aleksejs Beļeckis with styling by Anna Ansone and camera work by Toms Musts.
Moon Over Māra Previews Forthcoming Album Nascence
International ensemble Moon Over Māra released their sixth single, “Plastic Sea,” preceding their upcoming debut album “Nascence.” The group features Kristīne Cīrule and Edgars Cīrulis from Latvia alongside Alīna Bistricka and Jon Mapp from the United Kingdom.
Sudden Lights and Kautkaili Preview Upcoming EPs
Pop-rock band Sudden Lights released “Talk to me,” their first single produced alongside Berlin-based British producer Ed Bentley, leading toward an early 2027 mini-album release with a video directed by Andrej Reinis Zitmanis. Simultaneously, the group “Kautkaili” released “Savā vaļā” from their upcoming ten-track album “Visas pasaules jūtas,” framing the work around themes of acceptance and realism.
Idille and Edvards Strazdiņš Issue Narrative Videos
Rock band “Idille” released a 22-minute short film and music video for their composition “Vienu dienu / Mūžīga mīlestība,” directed by Artūrs Zeps and starring vocalist Gunārs Gaumigs. In country music, Edvards Strazdiņš released “Cilvēki domā, Dievs dara,” the first single written for him by Raimonds Pauls and Guntars Račs.
Prusax and ID:Earth Complete Cross-Border Collaboration
Latvian rapper Prusax and South Korean artist ID:Earth released the collaborative track “Soju,” developed during the production of the documentary series “Koreja. Kā pienākas.” Initiated in Latvia and completed across Seoul’s Starry Sound studio and Riga, the single features production from Elgrounde, DJ Rudd, and Acog, with DJ Rudd handling final mixing and mastering.
Prusax and ID:Earth Collaborate Across Latvia and Seoul
The collaboration between Prusax and ID:Earth began during the filming of the documentary series “Koreja. Kā pienākas,” with initial beat production in Latvia and vocal recording in Seoul.
ansis, Steps, and Deniss Release Rap Videos
Reppers ansis and Steps released a video for “Nodevība” featuring saxophonist Mikus Solovejs and directed by Mārcis Vaivars, using the release to announce upcoming March concerts at the Palladium venue. Repper Deniss issued “Tu neesi viens,” drawing on personal experiences to encourage resilience through hardship, and I Mean Love teamed up with producer Krish for the atmospheric single “Neko.”
M.E.K.A., Lapsene, and Blind Shapes Expand Rock and Metal Output
A newly formed rock band named “M.E.K.A.”—featuring Atis Zviedris, Kristens Kupčs, Edžus Korsaks, and Mārcis Briška—released their debut grunge-influenced single “Ziemeļu pusē.” Artis Dvarionas and Mikus Frišfelds teamed up for Lapsene’s socially critical track “Troksnis,” featuring trumpeter Oskars Ozoliņš and production by DJ Rudd. Rock band "Blind Shapes" released "Fallin'," recorded, mixed, and mastered by Kārlis Šteinmanis at KS Records.
Thursday 12th, Eremos-IX, and Bikigrupa Release Heavy and Literary Projects
Extreme metal ensemble “Eremos-IX” issued “The Anchorite,” a single previewing their upcoming album “Foregone” based on a painting by Teodor Aksentowicz. Finally, “Bikigrupa” released an animated short film adaptation of Artūrs Goba’s poem “Zemes vēzis,” directed by Mārcis Pārups using illustrations by Jānis Blanks from the Bikibuka book series.
What Inspired the Collaboration Between Prusax and ID:Earth?
What inspired the collaboration between Prusax and ID:Earth?
The track “Soju” originated while filming the documentary series “Koreja. Kā pienākas,” combining beat production initiated in Latvia with vocal sessions recorded in Seoul.
Who directed the music video for Edvards Strazdiņš’s debut single?
Kaspars Dvinskis directed the video for “Cilvēki domā, Dievs dara,” which features personal footage from the artist’s wedding to Paula Gabrāne.
Which venues will host ansis following the release of “Nodevība”?
The rapper announced two upcoming concerts titled “Dzīvs,” scheduled for March 5 and 6 at the Palladium concert hall in Riga.
What traditional composers influenced Līga Kupča’s debut album?
Līga Kupča incorporated musical quotes and motifs from Emīlis Melngailis, Aldonis Kalniņš, Pēteris Barisons, Pēteris Plakidis, and Jānis Ivanovs.
How many copies of the Mārtiņš Freimanis vinyl LP were produced?
Publisher MicRec manufactured a limited, numbered edition of 500 copies for the collection titled “Dzīve kā košums. Labāko dziesmu izlase.”
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