We’ve been waiting for weeks with bated breath. Now — after what seems like a year — Ukraine’s Jamala has unveiled her much anticipated album 1944 across Europe.

The 12-track album, which was released by Universal Music Denmark, the producer of the Eurovision Song Contest album, includes nine songs in English and three in Ukrainian. She’s bridging east and west and keeping it real in the process.

The album opens with the enigmatic and familiar title track “1944”, setting an ethereal and haunting pace for Jamala’s first album since winning Eurovision. “1944” is stylistically different from any other Eurovision winner in recent memory. It isn’t pop. It isn’t soul. Nor folk, opera, or R&B. And that makes it a fitting opening for this genre-defying album, which pops from folk to soul to R&B to dance to techno, at times mixing them to great effect.

Track 2 — “I’m Like a Bird” — acts as an interlude, a mysteriously techno sorbet that cleanses your pallet of “1944” before moving on to the unexplored territory we’ve all been waiting to hear. That territory is as varied and undefinable as the title track.

“My Lover” and “Thank You” are by far the most danceable tracks on the album. “Thank you” could very well be a EuroClub dance hit if nudged along by a little remixing and more prominent beats. “My lover”, on the other hand, is better suited for a Brazilian café late at night, when the intelligentsia sip their macchiatos and Dewar’s-on-the-rocks while only pretending to dance.

Jamala comes off more relaxed — almost sensual — as she delivers the rest of her melodies.

“Hate Love”, “Drifting Apart”, “With My Eyes”, “Way to Home”, and “Breath” froth with R&B soul. They sound both new and familiar — akin to an experimental Janet Jackson album. Yet, owing to the other-worldly qualities of Jamala’s breathy but  controlled vocals, they are unmistakably Jamala.

None of the songs stand out as mainstream hits and some will inevitably be lost in the annals of pop history. Her evolution, however, won’t be. Jamala is in a genre of her own — a genre she is creating and grooming in front of us as we listen.

TRACK LIST FOR 1944:

1. “1944”
2. “I’m Like A Bird”
3. “Hate Love”
4. “Watch Over Me”
5. “Perfect Man”
6. “My Lover”
7. “Drifting Apart” (feat. The Erised)
8. “You’ve Got Me”
9. “Thank You”
10. “With My Eyes”
11. “Way To Home”
12. “Breath”

Universal Music Group will release the album in the USA and other territories in the near future.

What do you think of Jamala’s new album 1944?  Is it everything you’ve ever wanted and more?  Let us know!

24 Comments
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tatikka
tatikka
7 years ago

I’d rather have a concert album of these new songs of her. She is, after all, rather a live performer than a studio musician. On Youtube, there are clips from her solo concert in Kyiv after ESC victory. How I wish there were a high quality recording from that whole concert!

#Justice4Margaret
#Justice4Margaret
7 years ago

Yet another very solid piece of work from the most talented Eurovision winner of all time. ‘For Every Heart’ remains my favorite album of her but they’re all 10/10!

El Rosario de Raquel
7 years ago

Mi total rechazo a la extrema derecha Ucraniana, esa que quiere boicotear las fiestas del orgullo gay…dejenos vivir en paz.

musicfan
musicfan
7 years ago

Like it!!!! . Its like a journey through the last 3 centuries. A mix of Funk, Disco, Jazz, Soul, Pop, experimental thing :-). Also, I felt reminded of Janet Jackson, Róisín Murphy, Aretha Franklin and a very good pinch of Jamala…… WOW!
Good Luck for Jamal!

José Gutty
José Gutty
7 years ago

I love this. I was so happy when she won. 🙂

Zebb
Zebb
7 years ago

Woops, sorry for mistakes 🙂

Zebb
Zebb
7 years ago

@Sparrow
Agree with you about release.
For some songs I would love to see remixing, as at some moments I’ve got a feel that it’s lack a bit more energy. But it’s for my taste, othersidly I find her way to deliver music worth to listen.

Richy
Richy
7 years ago

The most forgettable winner ever ! It didn’t last even a month after the competition 🙁
Oh well, we probably will see her next year as a host or something

Amor A.
Amor A.
7 years ago

I love Jamala and I truly believe she deserved to win. I think the reason why so many people did not like 1944 is because it was not a pop song or ballad and it was not about love or peace. It was a serious song and people today tend to shy away from serious topics in their songs. I loved it. Way to go Jamala!

Glorious
Glorious
7 years ago

@eurana

Nobody asked you…

@Charles

I agree.

eurana
eurana
7 years ago

Never in my mp3 player! The worst song Eurovision winner ever! Not my cup of tea, Definately.

Ewan
Ewan
7 years ago

‘Way to Home’ (or the original title Shlyah Dodomu) is my favourite of these tracks, I’ve been listening to it for months now and still can’t get over how beautifully simple it is. Relaxing yet it still has a lot of emotional power. ‘Breath’ is also really nice with the jazz influences. I actually wouldn’t buy it for 1944 though, as unfortunately it doesn’t give me the same feeling as listening to her live performances of it.

Anna
Anna
7 years ago

Like some other people already said, I think I’ve never liked a Eurovision winner’s album this much! I love her voice and the mix of genres and languages 🙂

Sparrow
Sparrow
7 years ago

My only disappointment is that majority of these songs have been previously released on albums or EP’s. Regardless, she is still amazing and yes, the most deserving winner.

Jamala Smile Fan since 2011
Jamala Smile Fan since 2011
7 years ago

I L-O-V-E her discography so much!! Why didn’t Ukraine send Jamala any sooner? The world has simply missed out on this talented young lady’s incredible musical evolution. Hope its not too late for the world to fall in love with her mysic. What ever direction Jamala decides to take, I will always remember her early days when she first released ‘For Every Heart’ & she made my heart melt with her sweet voiceb& charismatic ‘Smile’ 😉

Gav
Gav
7 years ago

Congratulations on the album. I appreciate her talent. Not to my taste from the bits of listened too.

Charles
Charles
7 years ago

The fact that this album is unique in his style and sound evoking Jamala’s very own soulfulness and jazzy influences wrapped in such a contemporary production that brings me Emeli Sandé to mind and drum’n’bass records, is what makes it brilliant … it would have never been Jamala it this had been some random rnb commercial mainstream album. This type of music is sadly not Eurovision’s favourite cupcake .. but anyone who truly loves music no matter what genre of music there is, will have the needed sensitivity to appreciate this kind of musical beauty. The album is to an… Read more »

SpirK
SpirK
7 years ago

One of the most deserved victories in history. Phenomenal artist.

Thiefo
Thiefo
7 years ago

I haven’t enjoyed the album of a Eurovision winner like this since Only Teardrops. I find it relaxing.

mad-professor
mad-professor
7 years ago

Really like Way to Home. I’ll listen to the rest later, but I’ve got a feeling I’ll like it!

Paul D
Paul D
7 years ago

Great stuff here, keep up the good work Jamala!

I am not Jamala
I am not Jamala
7 years ago

I’m Like a Bird is amazing.

The Brightest Falling Star
The Brightest Falling Star
7 years ago

Jamala is the best!

Adam023
Adam023
7 years ago

Reminds me of Rebecca Ferguson from UK, where she was runner-up of season 7 of The X Factor. Love Jamala! 😀