OQJAV Essentials

There’s a distinctly laid-back undercurrent to Moscow band OQJAV. That’s partly due to a vocal delivery sitting somewhere between sung, spoken and rapped, but it’s also the result of a playful and relaxed musicality. Jazzy flourishes meet soulful melodies and funky rhythms in charming, intimate songs that create an enticingly romantic atmosphere—where the refreshing lack of urgency is a welcome break from the fast pace of modern life. The smooth vibes of “4 птицы” and the dramatic waltz of “Портвейн” open doors to a more easy-going, more innocent age.