“Stardust Bear Bazaar, Pt. 1” - New Laconia
Photo Credit: Artist EPK
With “Stardust Bear Bazaar,” Ukrainian project New Laconia doesn’t just drop a single — they throw open the door to an entire music-driven multiverse.
At the core of the new saga is the Bazaar itself: a cosmic pub that feels like the crossroads of every sci-fi adventure you’ve ever loved. Presiding over it all is Bartender Bear, a charismatic host who doesn’t just pour drinks but stirs parallel realities into the glass. Alongside him is the Engineer, tinkering with portals and bending time, though things quickly spiral when those portals stop behaving — opening to the past, the future, and who knows what else. It’s equal parts detective caper and cosmic hangout, with enough paradoxes and time loops to make your head spin, all while the bassline holds steady.
Musically and aesthetically, New Laconia wear their influences proudly while still twisting them into something unique. There’s the mischievous, self-aware humor of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, the ragtag, lived-in camaraderie of Firefly, the kinetic color-burst energy of Ratchet & Clank, and even a touch of Guardians of the Galaxy-style adventurism. The difference is that here, the soundtrack doesn’t play in the background — it is the narrative. Each track feels like a scene, each EP like a season, and each video a new “episode” in a constantly expanding cinematic playlist.
And then there’s the genius move of keeping the musicians anonymous. By hiding behind their characters, New Laconia avoids the trap of personality cult and instead leans into the story-first approach. When you hit play, you’re not thinking about who produced it or which city it came from; you’re wondering what the hell Bartender Bear is mixing and whether you should trust the Engineer’s portal. That anonymity turns the music into myth, which feels right for a project that’s building its own lore-heavy cosmos.
Photo Credit: Artist EPK
“Stardust Bear Bazaar” is only the beginning, and New Laconia makes it clear that this is Phase One of a bigger plan. Upcoming locations — from Asteroid City’s underground jams to the Dream Market of traded memories — hint at a whole series of sonic landscapes, each with its own vibe, characters, and conflicts. The talk of future comics, animation, and even merch shows just how ambitious the project is, positioning itself less like a band and more like a multi-platform universe in the making.
But strip away the concept art, the lore, and the quirky characters, and what you’re left with is a track that simply slaps. “Stardust Bear Bazaar” manages to juggle the weight of narrative world-building while still delivering music that’s hooky, cinematic, and weirdly danceable in its own space-pulp way. It’s equal parts soundtrack and invitation — a chance to belly up to a bar in another dimension and decide for yourself whether to take that portal.
If this is just the first step into the New Laconia cosmos, we’re in for one hell of a journey. And honestly? I’m already sold on a round at Bartender Bear’s place.
“Stardust Bear Bazaar, Pt. 1” is available now on all major streaming platforms
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