Album Review: Счастье Непонятное Мое Песни На Стихи Екатерины Шевелевой by Екатерина Шевелева
Let’s dive into this gem from 1980, shall we? If you’re a sucker for heartfelt pop with that unmistakable Soviet-era charm, Счастье Непонятное Мое is the kind of album you’ll want to stumble upon in some dusty record shop and take home like it’s treasure. Released under the legendary Мелодия label, this collection feels like flipping through an old photo album—nostalgic, raw, and full of soul. It’s not just music; it’s like stepping back into a time when melodies were bigger than life itself.
The genre here leans heavily on vocal-driven pop, but don’t let that fool ya. There’s a splash of schlager vibes sprinkled throughout, giving these songs a timeless quality that sticks to your ribs (and your brain). Екатерина Шевелева didn’t just sing these tunes—she wrote the lyrics too, which makes every word feel personal, almost like she’s whispering secrets directly to you. And can we talk about the credits real quick? Artwork by С. Нелюбин hits all the right retro notes, while Алексей Сурков’s liner notes give the whole thing a cozy, storytelling vibe. Big props to В. Рыжиков for supervising—it shows in how polished yet genuine everything sounds.
Now, onto the tracks themselves. With eleven songs packed into this baby, picking favorites feels kinda wrong… but hey, rules are made to be broken, right?
First up, “Ты Рядом” (“You’re Near”)—oh man, where do I even start? This one grabs you by the heartstrings from the get-go. The melody is simple enough, but there’s something magical about how Шевелева delivers those lines. Her voice carries this quiet strength, like she’s singing specifically to you. You know those moments when you hear a song and suddenly every little memory tied to love or longing comes rushing back? Yeah, that’s what this track does. It’s not flashy, but dang if it doesn’t leave a mark.
Then there’s “Я - Ваша Весна” (“I Am Your Spring”), which might as well come with its own bouquet of flowers. This one’s brighter, bouncier, and totally unapologetic in its optimism. Listening to it feels like walking through a park on one of those perfect spring days when everything smells fresh and new. It’s impossible not to hum along—or maybe even bust out a few awkward dance moves. Don’t lie—you know you’d try!
What really stands out about this album is how relatable it feels. These aren’t songs about grand gestures or over-the-top drama. Nope, they’re slices of everyday life, wrapped up in beautiful melodies and poetic lyrics. Tracks like “Есть Такая Речка” (“There’s Such a River”) and “Листья Лета” (“Summer Leaves”) remind you of places you’ve been, people you’ve loved, and moments you thought you’d forgotten.
Here’s the kicker though: listening to this album in 2023 feels almost rebellious. In a world obsessed with TikTok trends and algorithm-approved beats, Счастье Непонятное Мое is refreshingly human. It’s messy, imperfect, and utterly sincere—and honestly, isn’t that what music should be?
So go ahead, hit play. Let yourself get lost in Шевелева’s world for a bit. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a piece of yourself hiding somewhere between the verses. Or maybe you’ll just realize how much cooler Soviet pop was than you ever gave it credit for. Either way, it’s worth it.
