New Composers

New Composers (Novye Kompozitory) are pioneers of the Russian electronic scene, formed in 1983 by Valery Alakhov and Igor Verichev. Based in Saint Petersburg, they were instrumental in bridging the gap between the Soviet avant-garde and the global electronic revolution.

Their sound identity is characterized by the 'sampling' method, utilizing everything from state radio broadcasts to scientific archives, which they integrated into a framework of ambient, techno, and house. In the late 80s, they collaborated with Brian Eno and members of the legendary rock band Kino, cementing their status as cultural conduits between East and West. Their career arc moved from experimental tape loops and post-punk electronics to a more polished, 'cosmic' ambient techno sound in the 1990s, exemplified by their work with Pete Namlook's Fax +49-69/450464 label. Critical consensus views them as the 'godfathers' of Russian electronica, praised for their ability to maintain a distinctively Russian melancholic and scientific aesthetic while participating in the global IDM and ambient movements. Their influence is seen in the works of Biosphere and FSOL, particularly in the use of non-musical vocal samples as a primary melodic and narrative device.