Balkan Bleeps – Retrograd Review

What does Balkan Bleeps sound like?

Turning traditional Balkan city music into chiptune-focused bops.

The review of ‘Retrograd’ by Balkan Bleeps

Bandcamp is a superb platform for discovering niche genres of music I never knew I wanted or would fall in love with. Balkan Bleeps fits firmly into this. Nikola Whallon is the main talent behind the moniker and as Balkan Bleeps, they intend to translate various types of Balkan music into chiptune songs. These aren’t just simple copy/paste arrangements though. These dynamic, tempo-shifting ditties go hard.

‘Retrograd’ focuses on “Starogradska Muzika” – a type of old city music of Balkan origin. The twist here is that Balkan Bleeps subtly blends and fuses some traditional instrumentation into the electronic chiptune arrangements. Square waves are blended with the electric violin. Tremolo pulse waves merge with the tamburica. This gives the album a truly unique sound because it’s chiptune and it is definitely chiptune first and foremost… yet there is an element of live authenticity in the mix too. I’ve never heard anything else quite like it and that makes this album unique.

There are five tracks on the album but each has two versions. There is an original version where live instrumentation is layered in, and then a DMG Mix which removes the live stuff and stays fully electronic. I think I prefer the originals across the board due to the unique sound but both versions are fantastic arrangements of songs you may have heard of if you are outside the region but may not know the names of.

‘Pico Pico Piccolina’ is probably the best-known track as it comes from ‘Moja Mala Nema Mane’. It’s the Balkan standard and has a dynamic arrangement here that bops, blasts and dances its way delightfully into your soul. ‘Over There’ is an arrangement of World War I Serbian song ‘Tamo Daleko’ and stands out for having a duality of emotions. A shuffle dance beat and lots of electronics give a happy tempo but a sombre violin melody layers a sad tone on top.

Sad love song ‘Autumn Leaves’ is arranged from ‘Songe d’Automne’ which lets the violin and tamburica shine in their sway. Montenegro folksong ‘Još ne sviće rujna zora’ is arranged into ‘Before Dawn’ with blasting bomb effects giving the track a heavier, sludgier form. This track feels sapped of energy and definitely conveys desolate folk feelings well. Ending with abundance is ‘Vardar to Triglav’. This 1970’s patriotic Yugoslavian tune is playful, euphoric and joyful. After a couple of mid-tempo laments, Balken Bleeps really sings the smile out of this track.

Did I ever think I needed this music in my life before I heard it? No. Do I love it now I’ve heard it? Absolutely! There is nothing else quite like it out there and I’ve quickly bought most of the back catalogue as I became an instant fan. If you enjoy chiptune music or have a passing interest in Balkan music – this will be a great leftfield choice for you. наздраве!

Recommended track: Pico Pico Piccolina

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