Lufthansa – Далеку од вистинското нешто
Lufthansa’s sophomore album (excluding demos), Далеку од вистинското нешто (”Far From The Right Thing”), crashes in with a raw, theatrical energy that feels both regionally grounded and worlds‑away in its emotional intensity. Since forming in 2020, this Skopje sextet has crafted a striking resume — each track a carefully sculpted eruption of longing, anxiety, and transformation.
The album title itself feels like a riddle. “Far From The Right Thing” echoes existential notions that are perhaps best articulated by the album itself and their Bandcamp manifesto:
“The opposition between nature and the complex cogs of industry bring a young person to a state of mania… They build their tower on the strength of their faith.”
The cover strikes immediately — an insect-like creature with antennae and wings, a moth, perhaps. And funnily enough, Lufthansa give wings to the Macedonian scene, elevating it beyond expectations. The visual tension between nature and machinery mirrors their sound: organic, but precisely calibrated, always on the brink.
На мајка ми ѝ е доста од нас (“My Mother Is Fed Up With Us“) is a six‑minute maelstrom of post-punk/post‑rock fury — guitar-driven, and unpredictable, it’s joined by a sax that wails like a siren. The track immediately knocks your socks off. Vocals shift between melodic and near‑shrieking, drums hum under chaotic breakdowns, then pivot into tense, angular resurgence. Every listen reveals a hidden layer — this is the perfect opener and sets the manic tone in motion.
Сидарта (“Siddhartha“) lightens the album’s gravity slightly. Ethereal vocals ride over atmospherics, weaving a spiritual journey hinted at by its name. More mainstream-friendly, this post‑punk breathes with spacious restraint — an early emotional reset. Патот под нозе (“The Road Underfoot“) is a Wire‑style whispered‑vocal track with stark guitars, echoing minimalism, and some lovely drumming. It sinks into melancholy and floats on post‑punk sorrow, a masterclass in understatement.
Кула (“Tower“) echoes the energy of the first track, but it’s a sharper, shorter, more catchy post‑punk cut with biting vocals and repetitive guitar riffs that really drive home the controlled chaos of the record. The hook arrives early, making this a standout on repeat playthroughs. Камелеонски кожи (“Chameleon Skins“) is doom-laden and grungy. There’s a Swans-level bleakness here, with lines like “I am the butcher of our dear mother…” It’s slow, abrasive, and heavy: a confrontation in rock format. The dread builds gradually before the vocals abruptly crash in — reminiscent of IDLES’ Colossus in how it confronts rather than entertains.
Тврда глава (“Hard Head“) is a Pavement-esque indie slacker track with a twist —twangy guitars and dark undertones. Playful on the surface, uneasy underneath. It’s definitely an underrated track, and provides valuable respite after the bleak nature of the previous track. We continue down this avenue with Што бараш во барата? (“What Are You Looking For In The Pond?“). Themes of loneliness and longing are on display with a danceable undercurrent, it’s innocent but not naive. It feels ever so slightly vanilla compared with some of the other tracks here, but I think that’s due to the high bar they set throughout the record. Лет (“Flight“) is poetic, slower, air‑filled. More meditation than anthem, still anchored in that post‑punk spirit, but drifting gently upwards.
Јапонија (“Japan“) is the centrepiece — 8 minutes of melancholic nostalgia that blooms into dark, atmospheric jazz‑rock. Saxophone and light piano weave hazy textures, slowly building tension then letting it release. The refrain “this is so far from the right thing” grounds it emotionally, bringing the album’s thesis full circle.
Далеку од вистинското нешто is an existential catharsis — a controlled blaze of anxiety, intimacy, and communal release. If you’re seeking post‑punk that bleeds with honesty and punishing riffs, this is as visceral as it gets. Lufthansa holds the listener in their organised chaos, only to let them land softly via moments of post‑punk clarity and indie‑tinged reflection. It’s triumphant, emotionally raw and structurally precise; I look forward to hearing more from them.
Where to Find Them
- Instagram: @thelufthansaconspirators
- Bandcamp: listen & support on Bandcamp
