O sreći u snovima marks a slightly more introspective chapter for the Belgrade-based band. Framed as an exploration of the fragile, dreamlike nature of happiness, the album moves fluidly through indie rock, post-punk, electro, dream pop, and occasional noise-rock textures. The arrangements are layered and polished, with rich vocals anchoring the record emotionally, even when the music leans into lighter or more pop-oriented territory.
The opener Ponovo stran sets the tone well, blending alt-rock with electronic flourishes in a way that feels distinctly 2010s-coded. It’s atmospheric and addictive with synths and vocals doing most of the heavy lifting — a superb opener that has spent a lot of time on my headphones lately. Introjekcija shifts gears into murkier territory, introducing a sludgier, noisier edge that recalls releases like Nemeček’s Prokletije II, with synths and distortion creating a heavier, more unsettling atmosphere.
Not all tracks hit with the same intensity as the album does drift off in some areas. Voleo je dan slows things down considerably after the impressive start, leaning into softer and more atmospheric indie rock. While emotive and well-produced, it feels overly gentle when set against the album’s more adventurous moments. Ti imaš mir brings back some grit with powerful guitars and drums, though it still stops short of fully embracing its noisier instincts — pulling back into pop-leaning synth territory just as it starts to get truly abrasive.
Plivam dives headfirst into contemporary synthpop — a style that can feel over-saturated in the modern scene. Here, it’s a serviceable track — catchy and competently executed, but ultimately generic and lacking depth.
All in all, O sreći u snovima is a solid and confident release. KOIKOI don’t reinvent themselves, but they continue refining their sound, balancing accessibility with moments of darker, noisier experimentation. It’s in those moments — particularly across the opening tracks — that the band feels most compelling. Still, even at its safest, this is a strong 2025 entry — packed with memorable hooks and enough edge to prompt a revisit.
Where to Find Them
- Bandcamp: listen & support on Bandcamp
