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Review Summary: Cosmically autogenetic slab of post-hardcore, alt-rock and dungeon synth. If it weren’t for the fact that the new album by eponymous solo act Kalli Talonpoika was entirely in his native Estonian, you might easily mistake it for a golden era Dischord Records release, only unearthed from their vast vaults this year. Yet the sixteen songs released in the middle of a blazing summer of 2026 sound so homespun in both sound and lyrics that they come across as startling - are you even allowed just to make something this good here in Estonia? The self-assuredness and confidence, that drip from the melodramatic pores of this album, inspire awe. Obviously creating such an album isn’t a “hit-the-studio-and-***-one-out” process, yet the overarching vision that unites this LP makes you feel as if it had just manifested itself into this universe in one piece and stuck the landing.
Musically, this album has a clear throughline to some of the heavyweights of Dischord mentioned earlier - a lot of this album could feel itself at home in the pantheon of songs by Embrace or Rites Of Spring. But it is not a mere imitator and there are many threads to other genres and scenes. The nervous guitar work reminds one of the alt-rock styled by Treepeople, the deadly serious quiet moments harken to the better moments of Metro Luminal, some crescendos are straight out of Emperor and the idea to interweave dungeon synth is utterly inspired. The decision to switch to Estonian language texts, while a self-sabotaging move commercially, offers an extra layer of immediate sincerity, so important in a genre like post-hardcore. The whole of it doesn’t even begin to get old after a god-only-knows-how-many-repeats while listening on a swiveling office chair at home; one can only imagine what an energy would accompany these tracks played live (for which there is a live lineup, despite Kalli Talonpoika recording solo). The cold and anti-commercial production only adds to the feeling of listening to something special. In any case - and I mean this as an utter and sincere compliment - if I were still 14, this band could be my life.
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Album Rating: 4.5
A bit short (I prefer concise), and I wrote a similar (but certainly not identical) piece for a local paper in a different language, but I have to do my duty to this amazing piece of music from my country to share it with the 3 people still visiting this place.
Anyway, I think it's really good if it hadn't come across yet. Check it out:
https://talonpoika.bandcamp.com/album/kuidas-me-saame-le-vee-3
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This is really weird and I find it strangely compelling.
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I really fucking dig this
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Aye it's so much fun.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Yep, this is potent and creative, much appreciated. I'm very into the synth parts. Great review too, short and to the point.
My only other experience with Estonian rock was Kannabinoid, but these bands really sell the idea to me.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Kannabinõid is really good, I loved their 2024 album, but they're a lot more of a live band where that caveman energy comes to fore better. If you haven't, check out their Damn.Loud session from a month ago which gets their sound across pretty well (it's kinda like our little brother to KEXP sessions) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLaxVdjxkb0
As for this band, the guy behind it also is a drummer for a more straightforward hardcore punk (almost a revival band, really) Skoone - they also did a Damn.Loud live at the start of the summer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHAPnFsp5qE
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
The caveman energy indeed shows in the video. Kannabinõid actually played in the capital of my voivodeship not too long ago and as much as I don't attend music clubs on frequent basis, I think I'd go if they appeared in my proximity again.
I like oldschool-sounding hardcore so thanks for introducing me to Skoone as well. The vocals in Pimedus remind me of another song I like, Пахне Чабор by Litvintroll.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Haha yeah, I can hear it!
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