Do you even listen in Poland? - a short guide around Polish music

*tip*

You don’t have to read this text in a linear way. You can jump from one paragraph to the other and focus only on the types of music that you enjoy.

*Disclaimer*

By no means am I an expert when it comes to music and this list of recommendations is based purely on what I personally listen to and know about the artists

What?
Sorry, I wasn’t listening. What were you on about? Oh music…

Yeah, I bet that when you think of Polish music you either have football stadium chants in mind (which is not far from true, especially Legia Warszawa and Lech Poznan can boast its very own stadium “folklore”) or rather you would think of folk bands in colourful dresses standing in line on a stage and singing about ducks, trees and other cattle.

Well you wouldn’t be necessarily mistaken, because Poland is full of rustic charm and many would think that Poles are traditionalists. Well… not really. The countryside customs and the delicate sentiments hidden between the verses of traditional folk songs were fascinating…

...and still are an evergreen source of inspiration.

But to be perfectly honest, some of the best  Polish contemporary music has very little to do with folklore…

ELECTRO

GOORAL

And the first artist I am about to mention  contradicts my last statement. Especially when you know that his most acclaimed album is called “Ethno Elektro”. GOORAL is definitely the artist you should look up before coming to Poland. His gig with the folk band Mazowsze at Przystanek Woodstock Festival (now PolAndRock Festival) is beyond amazing. Just have a look at it on YouTube.

BASS ASTRAL x IGO

The duo that has emerged in the last year and are absolutely nailing it! They’re different, young, stylish, sometimes overly energetic and truly ambitious. They formed a rock band before, and that’s why they’re absolutely not afraid of using bass overdrive! They’re even bold enough to cover Alice in Chains! HOW GOOD IS THAT?!

FLIRTINI

I personally admire these two guys for their Heartbreaks and Promises and the way they experiment. Each of the guests they have invited to their albums has brought something unique and Jedynak & Ment seem to know exactly what to do to make it all sound just spot on!

ŁĄKI ŁAN

Ok, it is a lot of diacritic (or simply weird) signs in their name and I don’t even know how to explain the correct pronunciation of their name. The good news is they’re not Florence+ The Machine and they don’t need you to “say their name”. (poor pun) You’re better off simply enjoying their music. And even better off if you see them live! Some of the most energetic and bizarre gigs I’ve seen in my life. With Łąki Łan you’ll learn what a proper “tuptanko” is!

WIXAPOL

They’ll knock you off your feet! No doubt about it! WIXAPOL is not for everyone and they’re not even pretending to be your friends. It is not for faint-hearted and they’re sure to mash up your head. After the wild night with WIXAPOL you will feel your brain banging at the walls of your skull begging you to let it out of this madness. Don’t listen to it! Listen to Wixapol. If you’re up to for an all night rave, well this is the right address boy.

DJ HARDBASS ADIDAS

Hold on tight to your seats! If you liked Wixapol this guy will send you absolutely bonkers!! His Ruski POP shows are just wild hardbass parties, where everyone is dressed up as Russian gopnik and nobody cares. It’s only the beat and you, and absolute brute force of the wildest imagination. It’s not for everyone, and probably not very suitable for a first date.

CLASSICAL MUSIC or technically music you’re more likely to hear in a philharmony than on the streets, but not always.

FRYDERYK CHOPIN

Yes, of course Chopin. Chopin this. Chopin that. Chopin was a genius. Chopin was very sad. No, seriously, Chopin was half-Polish, half-French but he was born, grew up and was genuinely impacted by Polish traditions and customs. Polonaise op. 53 is just a beautiful example.

MICHAŁ OGIŃSKI

Polonez is the emblematic Polish dance, often referred to as “the walking dance” because it is far from having turns, spins and pivots. It is rather characterised by a dignified tread and not surprisingly it was truly popular amongst Polish noble class. Right now it is danced on proms, and usually it will be Michał Ogiński’s version.

HENRYK MIKOŁAJ GÓRECKI

More contemporary composer and someone who knows how to use emotions in his works. Inspired by ethnic cultures of Polish countryside he produced one of the most touching musical pieces in history. Interestingly, his works became really appreciated by… British Audience and Symfonia Pieśni Żałosnych (Symphony of Sorrowful Songs) climbed up the top of British and American classical charts.

MICHAŁ LORENC

This is one of the most beloved film soundtracks that have ever been made in Poland. The music that Michał Lorenc composed to the film “Bandyta” is beyond amazing and truly inspiring when you’re about to do something creative.

RADZIMIR DĘBSKI aka JIMEK

He’s not just any composer and being the son of Krzesimir Dębski, the acclaimed film music composer, he was bound to do something incredible. And he did. Just listen to his Orchestrated Hip Hop History and you will be astounded. Also he’s considered to be one of the hottest people in Polish music industry.

POP that you won’t hear on the radio anyway

THE DUMPLINGS

The prodigies of Polish music. They formed the band when they were only 14 and 15 released their first album three years later. The enchanting voice of Justyna Święs and the mesmerizing beats by Kuba Karaś are bound to make you fall in love with Polish music.

XXANAXX

A different type of a duo that emerged around the same time as The Dumplings. With their lights beats they are brilliant for the summer.

DAWID PODSIADŁO

One of the most acclaimed and popular Polish singers of the young generation. Not afraid to blend different music styles, but his own charysma adds some new quality to anything he releases.

BRODKA

Indisputable queen of Polish alter-music. She became famous already as a teen, when she starred in Polish edition of the talent show ‘Idol’. Against those who foreboded her Britney Spears’ fate, she experimented for few years with different types of music, until she released a bold album “Granda”. Since then she’s the queen.

SMOLIK

Guy that I don’t know much about. He’s been around in Polish music industry for years, but to be honest he’s always stuck far from the spotlights, somewhere in quiet relaxing places probably. Because this is the way his music sounds.

BOKKA

A delight for those who like pop but seek something with no compromises, like artists that never fell into a trap of labels’ dictatorship and appreciate no compromises. Their concerts are brilliants spectacles of lights and music.

JULIA PIETRUCHA

Do you remember my text about Polish lakesides (you can find it here) and her album “Parsley” (the title is a translation of her surname)  is just a perfect choice each time you’re chilling on a hammock. The reassuring sounds of ukulele and Julia’s voice and gentle swings of hammock. Sometimes you don’t need much from life.

MELA KOTELUK

An adorable vocaliste with a charming voice, and a beautiful woman. Mela Koteluk is a really classy artist performing elaborated and lyrical pop music characterized by a somehow sentimental vibe and pleasant melody.

KRZYSZTOF ZALEWSKI

A brilliant talent of the young generation, awfully skilful, able to play various instruments, having amazing voice, writing clever and witty lyrics and being quite handsom. Not in love with Krzysztof, however I do have quite a lot of his stuff on my spotify.

JAZZ

MOŻDŻER

By far the most internationally acclaimed Polish jazz musician, and next to F. Chopin and I. Paderewski one of the three most important piano artists (because calling him simply a ‘piano player’ would be a disgrace) in Polish 1000-year-old history. Well-known for his dedication, passion, and meticulous approach to each sound the piano makes under the touch of his fingers.

WOJTEK  MAZOLEWSKI

My favourite Polish jazzman for his unconventional covers. Mazolewski is not afraid of any music style and arranged jazz interpretations of songs by Rage Against the Machine or Major Lazer. But there is more than bold covers to what Wojtek can do! He’s a brilliant guitar and bass player and his own compositions are exquisite!

TOMASZ STAŃKO

The guy who can blow a trumpet ;)

ROCK

NATALIA PRZYBYSZ

Together with her sister Paulina she was the one to introduce R’n’B to Polish publicity, but my favourite album of hers is Cozmic Blues and her covers of Janis Joplin. Gosh. It’s sooo good that “maybe” even better than original.

RIVERSIDE

One of the most ambitious alternative rock bands of the 2000s era, formed simply by extraordinary musicians whose talents and individual inspirations met in a studio in just right time to make some of the most extraordinary alternative rock albums of the beginning of 21st century.

ORGANEK

Really energetic, humoristic rock that will make your feet move!

POLISH REGGAE

SHOULD BE ILLEGAL (but sometimes I like it)

DEATH METAL and HARDCORE

VADER

One of the first Polish death metal bands. Formed in 1990s in Olsztyn shook the publicity by introducing really heavy guitar playing. Ever since they have proved to be really innovative and sometimes even surprising. They composed one of the main singles promoting the first part of famous The Witcher computer game. The song was so demanding, that the frontman Peter admitted it caused him some pain while playing it live, but it was no reason enough to stop performing!

BEHEMOTH

The most popular and the most hard-edged (and iconoclastic) Polish band in history. Widely hated by many Church representatives they never stop provoking. They are well known for artistic masks and other stage props that the frontman Nergal makes with his father. But the most important has always been the music. And this never disappoints.

HATE

If you’re into black metal this is a band for you! Simple as that!

DECAPITATED

The most critically acclaimed Polish metal band in history, sadly plagued by immersive bad luck. Not discouraged by tragedies and other unpleasant incidents they haven’t stopped composing and touring. Their live shows are brutal, powerful and truly good fun that will leave you bruised. (which definitely is a compliment)

DISCO POLO

To be honest I had no idea how to wrap my head around introducing this genre of music. I must admit - it's not my favourite, but every country has got this of simple, merry music with songs that everyone knows the lyrics to, or at least seems to know it, cause they are pretty predictible. Nevertheless, similarily to cumbia in Latin America, officially nobody listens to it and most of people cringe when they hear disco polo hits, and yet everybody can sing it. 
A must be thing especially during the traditional weddings.

BAYER FULL

I personally admire these guys, even though I am not such an eager listener of their music. They have been immensely popular in the beginning of 2000s and their songs like the blockbuster (believe it or not) "Majteczki w kropeczki" (lit. dotted panties) are so well known that 99.9% of Poles know it.

AKCENT

God of Polish disco polo, Zenon Martyniuk  a person of undeniably charming character and unusual voice. 

SŁAWOMIR

Something that was meant to be a satire and became a real sensation. An actor who came to a realisation that being a disco polo star will bring him more money than being a professional actor. His catchy tunes and the non-conforming sense of humor have brought him extreme popularity and quite impressive crowds.

RAP

It is definitely the most difficult type of music to introduce and NOT because there is no good rap in Poland. Quite the opposite, the Polish rap has proved to be ambitious, fascinating and professional. The only problem is that in rap the lyrics are equally important as the music. But if not understanding every word that the artists sing here you can find some (but not the only) of the artists definitely worth checking out.

QUEBONAFIDE

His album ‘Egzotyka’ has absolutely blown me away (even though I didn’t like it at first). Quebo traveled all over the world to release this album and each song was inspired by a different country he had visited. The raw energy, humour and his unique flow make the album worth checking his live shows out.

O.S.T.R.

Probably the most hailed Polish rap artist ever. He has had impressive life story, full of ups and downs. He’s got academic music education and plays violin, he’s lost one of his lungs due to heavy marijuana smoking habits. But above it all he is a BRILLIANT MUSICIAN and artist. Period.

MIUOSH

I mention him mostly for the brilliant rap concerts with NOSPR (National Symphonic Orchestra of Polish Radio) conducted by Jimek and Smolik.

MUSIC TO LISTEN TO WHEN YOU’RE STONED

BITAMINA

Young lads with the most positive vibe I’ve heard in years!

VOO VOO

They’ve been around for ages and I must admit that I wasn’t too interested in their music until I saw them live. And I fell for them completely. What’s more they composed the most beautiful, stunning, amazing, incredible (add your own adjectives) love song in history.

TORUŃ

Well, I am a toruniak (I’ve told you about it in a post about the most unique place in Toruń you can read it here) and this list would not be any good if I didn’t mention some of the best music from my hometown.

REPUBLIKA

LEGENDS. To put it simply they are legends. Back in the days, way before I was born, whole Poland went mental for them. For the poetic lyrics written by Grzegorz Ciechowski, for their unapologetic black and white style, for the weird, non-compromising music. Every year in Toruń you have a Grzegorz Ciechowski tribute concerts that bring some of the best artists to show their own interpretations of Republika’s songs.

SOFA

This is not so well-known band. Not even in Toruń. Which is a shame because their album “Hardkor i Disko” is pure energy and real fun to listen to. Especially when you’re driving!

ALL IN ALL

I know this is not the most complete nor comprehensive list of Polish music and many people will say that there is a band or artist missing that you definitely should listen to. And they might be right. Nevertheless I hope this was of any help before you moving to Poland.

If you feel there is an artist I should add to the list please comment below and I’ll try to update the list!

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