No matter what images we manifest for ourselves, they seem to fit into them over time. We might imagine excelling in one way but then finding another vehicle in which the comfort level is just right… thus taking us in a vastly different direction.
Born in Moscow, Russia (at the tail-end of the Soviet Union era), Yana Kedrina quickly became interested in music. Eventually joining a Punk Rock band, she would also play drums in another band but soon realized she was not completely satisfied with her musical identity. Soon, she explored the Electronic music world in her early twenties, assumed the stage name Kedr Livanskiy, signed on with the American record label 2MR, and began releasing her own music in 2015.
A unique blend of Electronic music with a Shoegaze ascetic, Kedr Livanskiy clearly showed her influence from the ‘80s and ’90s Electronic Pop music, such as Aphex Twins and Mazzy Star. Bleeding through within her unique approach, she has songs that mix Russian and English lyrics, with four full-length albums between 2016’s January Sun and 2021’s Liminal Soul. Each shows different textures; since then, she continued to grow after the 2017 breakthrough album Adridna. Now, the progression continues in 2025 with Myrtus Myth.
Kedr Livanskiy’s fifth studio album overall, and first in four years, Myrtus Myth, comes after 2023’s five-track K-Notes EP. Adding a new wrinkle to the story, the album arrived on March 7, 2025, through 2MR, consisting of eleven songs that travel a path of ambient music that leaves you feeling like you are amidst a very pleasant dream.
Putting Kedr Livanskiy’s exceptionally beautiful voice in the forefront, the synthesizers are warm, with solace, and complimentary to the overall euphoric mood created. This is evident right from the start with “Orpheus,” and it is built on with others like “Farewell,” “Zver,” and the more uptempo “Anna” and “Agata Dreams.” Then there is the sophisticated sound of “Spades on Hearts,” before Kedr Livanskiy’s voice dances throughout “Easy Rider,” with emotion wandering in each note sung, but also “Smoke and Ashes,” which is the perfect mix of Electronic Pop and downtempo elements.
Overall, Kedr Livanskiy’s ethereal sound is impossible to ignore, and this is also evident with her other project, Kosaya Gora. Simply put, Kedr Livanskiy carefully crafts songs with interesting structures that are drenched with surreal effects. So, even if you do not speak Russian, Kedr Livanskiy’s music will still strike a chord in your longing heart. That is why Cryptic Rock recommends checking out Myrtus Myth and giving it 4 out of 5 stars.
2MR
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