Rock/Review VELIKA VELIKA - The Gulag Archipelago

In late 2022, Benjamin Davies was musically unemployed. To fend off the wolves of creative dissatisfaction, he dug out his old teenage demos, remembered he had no idea how to record, and started rebuilding his songs with some of the best producers and mixers around. The result is the wildly catchy, eclectic sounds of VELIKA VELIKA.

“The Gulag Archipelago” by VELIKA VELIKA is a masterwork that skillfully blends a rich sonic palette with narrative depth. The single, which was recorded at Nottingham's JT SOAR, highlights the artist's avant-garde approach to music production, from the dramatic interplay of electric guitars and orchestral strings to the expansive live drum recordings. A strong crescendo marks the culmination of these components, giving the listener an emotionally charged experience.

The song explores the spiritual and existential turbulence of life, drawing inspiration from Alexander Solzhenitsyn's groundbreaking novel, The Gulag Archipelago." VELIKA VELIKA skillfully transitions from buoyant, driving melodies to chaotic, cathartic eruptions of sound through dynamic shifts in mood and instrumentation. In addition to adding a layer of elegance and poignancy, the use of orchestral strings grounds the raw energy of the track in a sense of introspection.

The artist's musical influences are evident: Sufjan Stevens' orchestral sophistication, Arctic Monkeys' strong guitar work, and Beirut's eclecticism all make an impression. “The Gulag Archipelago,” however, goes beyond these influences to create a singular area that is both eerie and energizing.

The production of the song is flawless, with every component painstakingly designed to further the story. In addition to a strong single, VELIKA VELIKA has produced a profoundly poignant work of art that explores human resiliency and hopelessness. “The Gulag Archipelago” is a powerful composition that establishes the artist as a bold and perceptive voice in modern music.