Moscow’s secret weapon, Pompeya, just blew the roof off with their EP “Awesome” (released April 11, 2025). Five tracks, 17 minutes of pure, unadulterated indie rock bliss. Building on their viral breakout hit “90”, Pompeya ain’t resting on laurels; they’re torching the rulebook with mixing 80s new wave vibes, 70s disco grooves, and 90s indie rock attitude into something that’s gonna set your brain on fire.
New Order gate-crashes a beach party in Ibiza, but they’ve stolen Johnny Marr‘s guitar and recruited the tightest rhythm section this side of a packed underground club. That’s the vibe Pompeya’s serving up. Their indie pop rocks hard, with layers of sound that’ll make you move whether you want to or not. And the production is freaking immaculate. It’s got that old-school soul but sounds modern as AI.
Track-by-Track:
- Awesome: The title track kicks the door down immediately. The guitars are all sparkly with a nu-disco groove while the vocalist ‘s belting it out like a kid who just got let loose in a candy store (“I’ll be running down the street like a little kid / With no reason”). The chorus is a massive, undeniable declaration: “It feels so good / What am I supposed to do?” It’s pure – the sound of a band operating at peak confidence. Oh, and good luck getting that “Pa para pa pa” out of your head. Seriously, this track’s setting us up for one heck of a party.
- The River: Smooth but never slick, this track flows with undeniable grace. Comparing love to a river (“She flows / Through our lonely hearts… She holds / All the broken parts”) makes you want to dance and maybe shed a little tear at the same time. Pompeya’s proving they can bring the emotion without killing the vibe.
- Ipanema: Instant vacation vibes. You’re on a beach somewhere, cocktail in hand. This track’s got that lazy-day sunshine feel, with synths that sound like they’re winking at you. The singer’s cool as a cucumber, even when he’s getting all existential on us (“Maybe I’m good / Maybe not / Maybe I’m talking like a robot”). But then that chorus hits, and it’s like your best friend giving you a pep talk: “When you sad and you lonely / You can always, always call me.” Irresistible.
- Pink Song: Pure ear candy. It’s like being 17 again, butterflies in your stomach, knowing something awesome is about to happen (“I have a feeling / Something’s gonna happen”). The other half of the chorus hits and suddenly you’re grinning like an idiot, bouncing around your room (“Am I dreaming? Happy-happy-happy / Insanity! Wow! Insanity!”).
- Yes: Closing with pure disco-rock fire. Funky, glamorous, and dripping with that classic 70s flair. The lyrics capture the ache of missed timing; that “if only” feeling we’ve all had (“Yes, we got it / But a little bit a bit too late”) set to a beat that won’t quit. The instrumental break is pure euphoria – handclaps, beautiful synths, and a vocal ad-lib that’s pure release (“Yes, yes! Easy! U-a-a-ah!”).
The music screams tight-knit unit. Every element – the lockstep rhythms, the interweaving guitars and synths, the confident vocals – feels perfectly dialed in. This is a band firing on all cylinders, each member essential to the machine’s flawless, rocking operation.
Don’t mistake the hooks for hollow pop. There’s real meat to their songs. “Awesome” captures that rebellious spark of youth. “The River” has this hopeful vibe that things will work out. “Ipanema” feels like a friend reaching out when you need it most. “Pink Song” buzzes with excitement, and “Yes”? It nails that bittersweet ache of missed chances. These guys get it, don’t they? They capture moods and moments with sharp, evocative lines.
This ain’t just a random collection. “Awesome” is Part 1 of a goddamn double album saga, with Part 2 landing in August. Releasing it this way is a bold, rock ‘n’ roll move – confidence in their material to hook us now and leave us rabid for more. It’s like they’ve got some wild story waiting to unfold. At its heart, “Awesome” is just ridiculously fun to listen to. It’s crafted like a fine-ass whiskey, packed with hooks that’ll grab you, and it’s got this energy that’ll light you up. It makes you wanna move, makes you feel alive, makes you slam that repeat button. Pompeya’s genuine love for what they do is like a kick in the teeth – in a beautiful way.
Pompeya didn’t just drop an EP; they’ve released a goddamn experience with “Awesome”. Every damn track could be a hit single, every groove is impossible to resist, and the whole thing screams “band at the top of their game.” This is the sound of a band not just aiming for the stars, but already burning bright among them. Roll on Part 2 in August, but for now, play “Awesome” loud and let Moscow’s finest show you how it’s really done, goddammit.