Aklì

About

" Aggressive and weirdly romantic at the same time, this is perfect for both headbanging and self-reflection "

The COVID-19 pandemic and frustrating lockdowns – these are things that musicians and fans would rather forget about. However, these difficult and uncertain times also produced some very interesting music. Take Aklì, for example. Hailing from the city of Kaunas (European Capital of Culture 2022, lest we forget), they are now shining stars of the Lithuanian alternative music scene. However, it all started while the world was locked down – isolation and solitude shaped the themes and musical ideas composed by the artist Kristijonas Valančius (leader of Aklì).

It took just a couple of radio plays and some buzz on the internet, and suddenly, anyone with the slightest interest in rock and alternative sounds started talking about this band. “Philosophical contemplations of self-worth, lust and disorder” is how Kristijonas himself describes his music, and we couldn’t put it better. The debut album ‘Taika‘ (meaning Peace), released in 2020, was met with rave reviews, and almost immediately the band was nominated as Best Rock Act at the M.A.M.A. awards (the Lithuanian answer to the Grammys). Sophomore effort ‘Refleksija‘ (Reflection) followed in 2021, showcasing the band’s evolving sound and focus on singing in Lithuanian. Another Best Rock Act nomination followed, and, with concert life slowly getting back to normal, the band performed numerous gigs in Lithuania, Estonia (including Tallinn Music Week festival), the Czech Republic and Germany.

Being invited to support legendary rockers Pixies at their first concert in Lithuania in 2022 was just the icing on the cake – by that time, Aklì (the band’s name means “blind”, by the way) had already proven themselves to be one of key rock acts in Lithuania. Aggressive vocals, screaming guitars, distorted drums and lyrics exploring dark alleys of the mind – this has become their trademark sound, captivating hearts of many like-minded fans.

However, they can also be unpredictable. Who would have thought that these tunes, that seem tailored for sweaty underground clubs, could also sound great in a church, performed unplugged? That’s what Aklì did at a special concert, which can now be enjoyed as a live EP, available on streaming services.

While we wait for the band’s next move, there are some things we can be certain of. First – it’s going to be interesting and exciting. Second – the band will wear any colour, as long as it is black. Some things simply do not change, and black goes well with the mood. But make no mistake – their music is anything but monochrome.