Vesna Pisarovic‘s upcoming album PORAVNA features the track “Vrbas vodo, što se često mutiš”- a modern take on an old Bosnian Sevdalinka song. From the beginning, the song takes the listener on a deep, introspective journey. Since this is a traditional folk song that has been passed down through the ages, the author is unknown.

Vesna Pisarovic is a Croatian musician who has found success in various genres from pop to jazz and further experimentation. On this album, she collaborated with international stars such as Tony Buck (The Necks), Greg Cohen, Axel Dörner and Noël Aksot.

While listening to the song, it feels like some agitation lies concealed within the river’s still waters. Vesna’s voice is soft and slow but full of emotion—a muffled groan runs through each line. The instrumentation creates impulses across a lot of empty space: nervous drums, light trumpets, and muted guitar tones.

Even though the lyrics concentrate on the turbid waters of the river, it is also a tale of deeply shattered reminiscences, uncertainty, and sorrowful affection. You do not only listen to this song; you feel it. This track does not merely bring back tradition; it captures tradition in a new light, surrendering to silence and stillness to fill the absence where sound would typically reside. It is an immersive experience best described as beautifully thought-provoking.