Baklava: From Skopje With Love

With “For Skopje With Love,” the Macedonian band Baklava proudly presents its fifth album. Combining traditional sounds with modern influences from around the world, this is a true standout from Skopje! Released on CD by CPL Music. Baklava made their debut in 2006 with their self-titled debut album, on which they boldly set out to reinterpret traditional songs. Now, with this album, they continue their musical journey—not by venturing far afield, but by looking closer to home and telling stories from the capital of North Macedonia. Baklava breathes new life into urban legends and revels in childhood memories, colors, and aromas. Their music can be described as “progressive world music” with elements of jazz and ethno. The band currently consists of founding member Elena Hristova, who is active not only as a singer but also as a composer, lyricist, arranger, producer, and ukulele player. Dejan Sibinovski is also a co-founder, as well as a lyricist and player of the daf and darabuka. Other members include Vladimir Stojcevski (bass guitar), Petar Hristov (clarinet and saxophone), Timko Chichakovski (kanun), and Dejan Teodosoevski (cello). The blend of “everything and anything”—tradition and innovation, the abstract and the concrete—creates an utterly fascinating heterogeneity in which the listener cannot predict exactly where it will lead them, ensuring that there is always an element of surprise. “For Skopje with love” is a musical postcard in which Baklava sings of the beauties of her hometown and offers one of the most beautiful tributes to musical freedom.