In the ever-evolving musical landscape of Europe and Poland in particular, a variety of bands are emerging, each with a distinct voice and a dedication to exploring new sound territories. From post-punk and crank wave to socially conscious alternative rock, these bands reflect the growing diversity and passion of the Polish underground scene.
Among them, Kisu Min stands out as a project that embraces not only sonic experimentation but also a commitment to addressing the most pressing social issues. Formed in 2016 in Łódź, Kisu Min’s music carries an unmistakable political message and a clear vision for the future. Their newest single, Je Suis, released on June 23, 2025, marks the first step toward their upcoming album, Rudolf Steiner House, due out on September 29, 2025.
The group, consisting of Basia Ciupińska (vocals, guitar, synths), Ola Sobańska (lead guitar, backing vocals), Agata Pyziak (drums, percussion), and Michał Szafarz (bass guitar, backing vocals), signed with Antena Krzyku label in 2023, gaining recognition both in Poland and abroad with their album City of the Revolution. The band’s approach combines raw alternative rock with a strong social conscience, drawing inspiration from the likes of Joe Strummer and the legacy of Manic Street Preachers.
Their latest effort, Rudolf Steiner House, is deeply influenced by the visionary pedagogue Rudolf Steiner, who pioneered the Waldorf education system. For Kisu Min, the album represents a reflection on how societies can rebuild a more humane future, especially as the world seems increasingly divided. The band emphasizes the importance of education as a tool to preserve humanity’s values in challenging times.
As they explain, “We feel that Waldorf pedagogy, and the wisdom obtained from it in terms of educating future generations, is a guarantee for the preservation of our humanity in these extremely uncertain times.”
All of these bands, including Kisu Min, are part of the growing roster of Antena Krzyku — a label that has become a vital force in Poland’s alternative scene. Kisu Min’s exploration of both sound and social issues aligns with other unique acts in Poland’s alternative scene, including bands like Loveworms, Steve Martins, Black Mynah, Tekla Goldman, Ivo Shandor & The Gozer Worshipers, Izzy and The Black Trees, Dorian’s Steaming Shadow, and Only Mess. Each of these groups brings something distinct to the table, from the raw energy of Loveworms’ post-punk sound to the dark, cinematic storytelling of Black Mynah. Their musical journeys reflect the diverse range of influences and themes emerging from Poland’s underground scene.
Loveworms
A Tricity band formed in 2024, they debuted a year later with a well-received ep simply titled “Loveworms”. They describe their music as post-punk/crank wave, comparing themselves to Amyl and the Sniffers, Dry Cleaning etc., but you can hear more of their stuff from New York’s Frenchkiss Records, and my first association is Pretty Girls Make Graves, veterans of Lookout! I can write and write, but Loveworms are fresh, upbeat songs with Kat Kowalska charismatic, sometimes chanting and shouting vocals, a great rhythm section and a professor guitarist, who is clearly the brain of the whole project.
Key tracks: Heartbeats, The Drop
Steve Martins
Founded a few years ago in Opole, the Steve Martins group is the fulfilment of a desire that sometimes consumes a lifetime. Marcin Mochocki stopped writing for the drawer, got the boys together and magic happened. Even the first album “19:11” showed a lot of potential, but this year’s “Drawing” leaves no doubt: everything that could be improved has been improved with a twist, great melodies have been added, guitar textures have been doubled (great Stanislaw Bitka).
How does Steve Martins sound? Mochocki claims that his greatest inspiration is Pixies. Add The Afghan Whigs and Nirvana, but the one produced by Albini.
Key tracks: Drawning, Ocean
Black Mynah
Another revelation from the Tricity. The project of Joanna Kucharska, known from Kiev Office and Lonker See, combines the songfulness of the 90’s with the anxiety and darkness of the 4AD label.
Listen for example to the opening track of Colleen’s latest album “Worried ’bout Madame”. It is amazing how fresh this song is: the disturbing rhythm and pulse of the bass and The Breeders-like guitar lead to the beautiful melody of the chorus. The album has a concise cinematic concept: it is the story of Norma Desmond, the forgotten star of silent film noir, who in the last years of her life looks into the mirror of her own emotions.
Key tracks: Colleen, Silence
Tekla Goldman
This crazy band from Otwock uniquely combines elements of 60s psychedelia, krautrock, the vibe of 80s Polish educational television, ironic humour, trance and a fascination with all things analogue.
If you go to a concert with them, all this will hit you with redoubled force: in this band, there’s no fake, you’ll immediately be drawn in by Janek Dobrucki’s pulsating, trance-like bass, and singer Emily Bones will hypnotise you with her twisted vocals processed by a Roland tape delay. Add to that motoric drumming and a new guitarist who seems no less crazy than the rest and you’ll go home as if you’ve been abducted by a UFO.
Key tracks: Wojna, Mleko
Ivo Shandor & The Gozer Worshipers
I’m sure that in the Tricity Bartosz “Boro” Borowski is a legend. I once saw Why Bother? His home line-up. It was excellent. The energy of this band, the madness, while creating a sound with precision. Now Boro is back with a new project, a very “tri-city” one. Jazz musicians have joined the crew of Ivo Shandor & The Gozer Worshipers: Dagmara Cichocka on piano (Dagmara also sings at several song moments on the album), Patrycja Tempska on saxophone, Jakub Szwemin on bass and post-rocker Michał Klama on drums.
What is the music like? It’s experimental, open-ended psychedelic jazz with a touch of Boro’s guitar madness and Klama trying very hard to play jazz, but he is from Lodz, he hasn’t sucked jazz out of his mother’s milk, which is ok because the post-rock in his playing breaks the jazziness of the whole thing nicely. There is fun, looseness and distance in this music. The noise passages are reminiscent of Ścianka and in general at times it’s like I’m listening to “Secret Sister”, which I think is a big compliment.
Key tracks: End/Beginning, Skeleton Dance
Izzy and The Black Trees
Led by the charismatic Iza Rekowska, the band from Poznan, after conquering their home scenes, are increasingly confident in taking steps outside of Poland, becoming a top export for Polish music in general.
Discovered by the legendary Steve Lamacq in 2022, they released the breakthrough album “Revolution Comes in Waves”, which received very positive reviews across Europe. While waiting for the new album, it is worth going to their concert to see where their strength lies. Iza is an extremely charismatic vocalist gifted with a strong voice.
Mario Dojs is a true professor of guitar, and when asked about his unique style, he modestly replies that he seeks inspiration outside of rock’n’roll by immersing himself in the world of classical music… Add to this a rhythm section that hits the spot, and you have a recipe for a great alternative band, the closest in sound to a little bit forgotten girls of Savages.
Key tracks: Can’t Breathe, Love’s in Crisis
Dorian’s Steaming Shadow
A cold-wave crew from Bialystok, who released their debut album “Frozen Nightmares” in 2024 (featured on IDIOTEQ here).
It is worth paying attention to them for at least two reasons: sonically, the band pays homage to their heroes from the 1980s; you can hear Joy Division, Bauhaus, Sister of Mercy, The Cure or bands centred around the classic 4AD line-up.
The musicians themselves insist that the classics are mixed with their fascination for the Idles, A Place of Bury Strangers or Fontains D. C., but fortunately you don’t hear that. When asked about his biggest inspiration, guitarist Kuba Toczyk mentions in one breath The Smiths and the playing of Johnny Marr. The second reason is frontman, vocalist and lyricist Kamil Sołowianowicz.
A first glance at the lyrics is enough to be sure that we are dealing with an erudite musician. Sołowianowicz’s diagnoses are very accurate and do not inspire optimism, but the author is convinced that constantly raising the awareness of potential listeners may be the key to valuable changes. It is very gratifying that there are bands who have taken over the baton from Manic Street Preachers in terms of left-wing message. DSS are a breath of fresh air in an increasingly cruel world.
Key tracks: World Coming Down, Hold on to me
Only Mess
Only Mess’s music can easily be categorised as post-hardcore; if you are close to the sounds of the Washington scene, labels such as Dischord or Frenchkiss, then you will definitely find something here for you.
Released in 2023, the ep “6 handmade songs recorded some time ago” is a mix of dense guitars, a driving rhythm section and emotional singing. Check out at least 1,2,3,4 c’mon! This track is the quintessence of their sound: motoric rolling stanzas lead into catchy choruses and that outro…. Unreal, completely out of another world. Add to this the bitter existential lyrics and the whole makes for a fractious whole, the work of very conscious and talented people.
Key tracks: 1, 2, 3, 4, c’mon!, Nowhere to hide
Kisu Min
Waldorf Waves and Riot Guitars! The socially and politically engaged band Kisu Min wants only one thing: for rock’n’roll to become dangerous again. If we take the slogan from their forthcoming album “Rudolf Steiner House”: ‘THERE MAY BE A FUTURE, BUT IT’S DAMN UNCERTAIN’, we have to realise what this band is really fighting for.
Education, the right approach and the creation of an environment for children and young people is an opportunity to lead the development of civilization in a much more sustainable way. Their spiritual guide is Joe Strummer, but they also refer to themselves as continuing what Manic Street Preachers abandoned around the ‘Know Your Enemy’ album.
Musically and lyrically you can hear a multitude of influences, but at the core is 90s guitar alternative. If we add to this the love for pop artists such as Roxette, Texas or Dido, we can more fully understand what the uniqueness of their sound is all about.
Key tracks: Je Suis, Uncanny Valley
