LAMA – Meny tak treba

"I would like every person who listens to this album to find a piece of their own love story in it and perceive the music as its soundtrack. © LAMA

Lama is a well-known Ukrainian pop project from Kyiv and one of the defining phenomena of the 2000s. Meni Tak Treba is the release that helped shape the sound of Ukrainian music of that era. This album firmly established Lama as one of the most recognizable voices and sonic signatures in Ukraine.

The musical project Lama was founded in 2005 by Nataliia Dzenkiv (songwriter and vocals) and Vitalii Telezin (sound producer). The project’s name originates from Sumerian mythology, where the goddess Lama is a protective figure symbolizing the individuality of every human being and living creature. A distinctive element of the stage image of the band’s vocalist Nataliia Dzenkiv at the beginning of her career was the bindi — the symbol of truth in Hinduism, the so-called “third eye” drawn on the forehead.

Meni Tak Treba is the band’s debut album, consisting of 11 tracks. Its central motif is the fusion of Eastern musical elements with Hutsul aesthetics. Almost immediately after its release in 2006, the album achieved platinum status, attracting great interest from both listeners and critics. This success was made possible by its experimental arrangements and deeply emotional lyrics. Music videos for the songs Litak, Meni Tak Treba, and Moie Sertse became iconic and secured Lama’s place in Ukrainian pop culture. Nearly 20 session musicians took part in the production of the album. Two academic symphony ensembles were also involved in the recording: the Kyiv Philharmonic Orchestra and the Symphony Orchestra of the Municipal Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the album Meni Tak Treba, Lama is releasing it on vinyl in collaboration with TILKYTAK Records. The record has received a special remaster by Vitalii Telezin and returns in a format that highlights its musical value. The gatefold edition will be released in two color variants:

Light Blue Vinyl: light blue 180g vinyl, limited edition of 399 copies, the first 99 of which include the artist’s autograph. Each copy contains a photo insert intended for signing.

Dark Blue Vinyl: dark blue 180g vinyl, limited edition of 99 copies, the first 49 of which include Lama’s autograph. Each copy includes a photo insert for autographs and a large poster.

Both versions are decorated on the outside with a hand-numbered Obi-Strip, adding collectible value to the edition.