Review: Lost In Kyiv ‘We’re All Going To Be Fine’
A couple of years ago, while attending the annual Portals Festival in London, amongst all the acts I got to see, the one that left the biggest impression on me was Lost In Kyiv. With barely any knowledge of them, they quickly became a highlight, and ever since, I have been keeping an eye open for any impending releases. In a world filled with post-rock and metal outfits, it has become quite the achievement if you can rise from the sea and manage to do something which is both inspirational and distinctive.
One thing I have noticed over the past few years is just how vibrant the scene is in France. Alongside other incredible outfits such as Bruit≤ and Year of No Light, Lost In Kyiv have quickly risen to join the genre’s elite.
With album number five, We’re All Going To Be Fine, they have again evolved. Not only sonically, but they’ve also replaced their drummer, bringing new ideas and concepts with the new addition. Add to that the new spelling, Kiev to Kyiv, you have a collective who are drawing a line under the past and moving on with a new lease of life. Not so much a parting of ways, more a case of embracing a new outlook.
As for the music, it sees them returning with a renewed hunger. Over the course of the seven tracks, it really does feel like a passionate reach for the stratosphere. There’s an urgency that is constant throughout; each track has moments of euphoric highs and crushing lows while maintaining a level of adventure. This is evident from the opening moments of Enlightened, right through to the dying seconds of album closer Liminality.
There’s a beauty on tracks such as Eclipse, where the added vocals draw in a new virility and reshape their dynamic. It’s a refreshing upgrade that sees them escaping the confines of previous releases. Add to this the inspired new percussionist giving his all, it truly is a magical experience to behold.
This will be one of the most essential post-rock releases of 2026…
Becoming leaves no doubt as to the technical abilities of all involved, and the opening bars are a revelation to witness. Every element of the quartet throws their metaphysical all at the piece, and it’s seen right through to its climax. It’s a track which demands respect for its sonic wizardry, where the constant powerplay of instrumentation is nothing short of a competition to prove who is the most proficient at their instrument.
As is standard with a vast amount of post-rock bands, the use of monologued soundbites, spoken word passages, and phrases are interspersed throughout to give some added texture and whenever they appear, they simply add an element of considered class to the work. I guess, as is the case with a lot of these bands, not relying on a main vocalist leaves the narrative at the mercy of the listener, and sometimes some context is still needed. With some acts, every track is littered with this archetype, and it does become a little predictable. Thankfully, with Lost In Kyiv, it’s only ever used to accentuate the work, not because it is expected to be. As I’ve already mentioned, there are tracks with vocals throughout the album, and at times soundbites too, but there is also a lot left to interpretation.
For example, Burst manages to pull off a whole experience without ever uttering a word. The use of soaring highs paralleled with crushing lows expertly purveys a storyline, without any need for monologue. The drive of that vibrant percussion also propels the piece, and as huge, thunderous outpourings are mirrored with quieter, more serene moments, it only leaves the listener to use their imagination, and a whole fable is created mentally.
Mantra also sees the band embracing technology alongside their usual setup, and its overtone throughout gives the album a different dynamic. The inclusion of muted vocal elements sees the track uniquely separated in the mix, but this too keeps the vibrancy flowing. By midway through an album, we usually have a clear understanding of what the full picture will be, but that isn’t the case here. For all its post-rock sensibilities, it is so much more than your average concept; it brings forth a revelation in the very DNA of its fundamentals.
At no point is there ever a question as to the relevance of anything contained on the album, and even as it dies away, there is still an overriding need for justification in every given moment. Absolute class. This will be one of the most essential post-rock releases of 2026, a true triumph from one of the best in the business. Ignore it to your own misfortune.
Label: Pelagic Records
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Lee Beamish
