Album Review: Месарояд Поёт Давлат Холов by Давлат Холов
Alright, let’s talk about this gem from the USSR—Месарояд Поёт Давлат Холов. If you’re into Folk, World, and Country vibes with a Soviet twist, buckle up because this album hits different. Released under the iconic label Мелодия, it’s one of those records that feels like stepping into someone else’s memory. You know what I mean? Like when you hear an old song and suddenly you're transported to another time and place. That’s exactly what happens here.
First off, let’s shout out “Гули Сурх.” Oh man, this track is just… wow. It’s got this raw energy to it, almost like the music isn’t polished on purpose—it doesn’t need to be. The melody grabs you by the soul and doesn’t let go. There’s something in the way Давлат sings; his voice cracks in places but not in a bad way. It’s more like he’s letting you feel every word, every note. I kept replaying this one because it felt alive, like it was breathing right alongside me. And honestly? It made me miss people I’ve never even met. Weird, right?
Then there’s “Ёри Дил,” which is just as unforgettable but for totally different reasons. This one’s softer, slower, almost like a lullaby your grandma might hum while staring out a window at the mountains. But don’t get me wrong—it’s not boring. In fact, it sneaks up on you. One moment you’re just listening, and the next thing you know, you’re tearing up over lyrics you probably don’t fully understand (thanks, language barrier). The instrumentation here is simple yet so rich. It’s like each string pluck or drumbeat carries centuries of stories behind it.
What strikes me most about this album is how unapologetically human it feels. These aren’t perfect studio recordings where everything’s auto-tuned to oblivion. No, this is real life poured into sound. You can practically picture Давлат sitting somewhere dusty and beautiful, singing these songs without caring who’s listening. Maybe that’s why they stick with you long after the record ends.
And here’s the kicker—I didn’t expect to connect with this album as much as I did. I mean, come on, it’s folk music from the USSR! How often do we stumble across stuff like this nowadays? Yet here I am, weeks later, still humming bits of “Гули Сурх” while washing dishes. Music like this reminds us that no matter where we’re from or what era we live in, some emotions are universal. Heartbreak, longing, joy—they all sound the same if you listen closely enough.
So yeah, give Месарояд Поёт Давлат Холов a spin. Just don’t blame me if you start daydreaming about faraway lands and ancient tales. Or if you find yourself Googling random Uzbek phrases late at night. Oops.
