“tylko haj” is a collection of instant poetic classics, augmented by some heart-rending songwriting and extraordinary vocal displays from both musicians.  

Podsiadło’s and Sochacka’s collaboration felt like a matter of time. This duo has been supporting each other since the latter’s debut in 2021, and one could tell there is a tangible rapport between them in the air. It seems that tylko haj’s sound came as organically as all lyrics on this tiny, but vast in meaning record. Listening to it is like watching two artists having a dialogue with each other, this time only through music and their lyrical subjects from every track.

Each track ends with a seamless transition to another, and even if it’s not a concept album, it feels like one. The narratives we follow can be treated like one huge split-up story about two people, who fight for their feelings till the very end. The fatalistic fragrance is somewhere in the air; just look at some of those devastating lines, which somewhat set the heartbreak mood for the entire listening:

nadprzestrzenie: “Czy sobie o tym myślisz zanim uśniesz?/Że nas już nie będzie chyba dalej/A może nas nie było nigdy wcale”

samoloty: “Samoloty lecą, a ja stoję/Nie ma ciebie ja się trochę boję”

w kilometrach: “Jak to świetnie, kiedy się nic już nie da wyjaśnić/Utknie się w przepaści/Jak chcesz, to dzwoń

Various (or one) relationship crises are portrayed from many poignant perspectives: recently, there hasn’t been a record so invested in re-painting all those post-break-up stains on the forgotten canvas of love. No other album will make you feel like being drawn to a brutally honest conversation with two artists, somewhere at midnight, holding two glasses of white wine. They’re here to tell their stories, and we don’t want to interrupt. We’re only here to listen.

When Podsiadło and Sochacka find each other in a painful exchange in every break-up song, in a way re-evoking their personal experiences, their lyrics become so private that, as the audience, we feel ashamed for entering their sacred music spheres. It’s difficult to recall a previous pop duo in Poland that has been able to elevate their music to such a profound level. Being in such awe is as unexpected for us as the fact that this EP was announced and published so suddenly and quickly. 

We need more surprises like this: our music industry would feel like a more compelling place with so many albums like tylko haj available in the mainstream.

Photo: Sony Music

5/5 stars

Author: Jan Tracz