Pussy Riot: CYKA review – debut album from iconic Russian agitators is let down by blunt-force EDM

Pussy Riot released their debut album, CYKA, on June 12, 2026, marking a significant step for the Russian activist collective known for their protest performances. The album, helmed by co-founder Nadya Tolokonnikova, features a blend of electronic music, EDM, and rap, aiming to convey the group's political messages. However, the review suggests that the musical execution dilutes the impact of their powerful point of view. Tracks like "Candy Dopamine," a collaboration with Avenged Sevenfold, are criticized for disguising critiques of big pharma with simplistic lyrics and uninspired musical arrangements, including corny electric guitar and predictable key changes. Much of the record is characterized by generically moody synths and overused siren sounds, alongside blunt-force EDM. The track "Nothing to Lose" is described as a cluttered trance song that addresses being disliked by Russia's "liberal intelligentsia" for supporting Ukraine. The album's release follows Tolokonnikova's and Maria Alyokhina's imprisonment in separate penal colonies between 2012 and 2013.