Songs Of Stolen Children
Self-Released, 2026
9/10
Listen to Songs Of Stolen Children
An all female, non-binary outfit from Ontario, Daughters Of Donbas use their talents to document the 20,000+ Ukrainian children who have been abducted from the occupied regions of Ukraine and taken to Russia, and they explore many different genres to relay these tragedies.
The gorgeous singing of the sublime “Foreign Land” starts the listen with soft keys from Marichka that add much to the elegance, and “Rusalka” follows with firm strings and expressive vocals that suit the ebullient delivery.
Moving further into the listen, “Enchantress” opens with a dreamy ambience before Alina Kuzma’s radiant bandura enters the rich climate, while “4.5.0.” blends the keys, strings, eloquent singing with much melody and warmth.
Inching closer to the end, “Another Heaven”, 1 of 2 songs that was captured live in the Ukraine, benefits from Denys Markevych’s double bass and Valeria Bezdukha’s well timed viola for the detailed album highlight, and “Soon, I Will Be Back” exits with a bare quality that’s mesmerizing thanks to the plucked bandura and harmonizing vocals.
The songs here span indie pop, neo-classical, and Ukrainian folk polyphony, and they represent activism at its finest, where the real stories of stolen children are illuminated with tremendous care.
Travels well with: Trendafilka- For The Olives; Anna Pidgorna- Invented Folksongs