Hojsak & Novosel, Spassov with TO HRT-a: Duckling Soup Rearranged

Rearranged, Reimagined, Reinterpreted

“One does not often come across an album (or even a single piece of music) that grabs the listener’s attention for both its virtuosity and ease of expression…” It is so easy to side with such a statement, conveyed as a never-ending intergenerational complaint or as an enduring cry in search of the “real thing”.

However, with the development of technology and the growing influence of AI over our everyday lives, remarks of this kind might resonate more than ever before. As algorithms increasingly guide our taste – either by serving us music predefined as alike and reinforcing what we already enjoy, or by creating micro-genres and obscuring what we might also appreciate – it is becoming more difficult to step outside our preassigned boxes and hear something else.

The same could be said for musicians fighting for every second of streaming: in an effort to make a living, many rely on tried-and-tested creative formulas, thus confining themselves in ready-to-consume cartons. In such a sonic environment, a listener can easily conclude that the “real thing” is gone – whatever that meant in the first place.

There are, of course, alternative paths taken by musicians not willing to put their artistry at stake. Such is the one that Hojsak & Novosel have been treading since their first album in 2016. From then on, each album is conceptually different from the previous, showcasing the musical versatility of a tambura-double bass duo.

Duckling Soup Rearranged comes with auspicious timing, as the year 2026 marks a decade of the duo’s career. It is then only fitting that the release features some of their most productive musical partnerships: Theodosii Spassov was among the guest artists featured on the duo’s first album, Bow vs. Plectrum. They’ve performed across Bulgaria and Croatia, with a concert in Slavonski Brod published as the live album Duckling Soup (2023). Similarly, throughout the years, Hojsak & Novosel have regularly appeared alongside the Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT) Tamburitza Orchestra, featured here with their rejuvenated membership in their first release under the baton of Matija Fortuna.

Julija Novosel