Коста Лакоста, also known as Costa Lacoste, is a rather special case in the Russian music world. Perhaps in the world в общем, tout court, überhaupt. Make way for the Ukrainian-born Russian pop artist who mixes retro pop, electronic beats and dance music – into songs you may not want to dance to at all.
In your face
To address the proverbial elephant head-on: that stain or scribble you thought you saw on Коста Лакоста’s face is actually a tattoo. It represents a crocodile – to be more specific, it is the logo of fashion brand Lacoste, named after a French tennis player.
Why would you want to have that immortalized on your face? you may wonder. And I did, too – without finding an answer. Maybe Коста is a very dedicated follower of fashion. Perhaps some explanation can be found in tarot cards.
From Ukraine to music in Russian
Коста Лакоста (or Costa Lacoste) is the stage name of Константин Бондаренко (Konstantin Bondarenko), born in Pervomaisk, Mykolaiv Oblast, Ukraine, in 1997. He built his musical career in Russia and in the Russian language, starting out with the group Чёрное Кино and going solo in 2018.
When it works, his music leans towards dance, but his distinctive, understated vocals add a dark undercurrent and a sultry atmosphere. It is not necessarily music to dance to – but it seems perfectly suited to driving a car. It could just be that when Константин Бондаренко is behind the wheel, he plays Коста Лакоста too.
Not everything works
It needs to be said: it does not always work out. Certainly, not all Коста Лакоста songs are masterpieces of artistry. Take, for instance, Баккара (Baccarat) from the early days (2019), check Черри Леди (Cherry Lady) from 2026. These are songs that make you want to do one thing only: turn them off a.s.a.p.
The video for Раздевайся (Undress) is another matter. Simply a painful watch – embarrassing, even. It must not be easy to have something like that attached to your name and live with it for the rest of your days.
And if you were asked to pick your favorite things and tell us why – would you go for hair gel, underwear or a game console? Guess who picks all three (and some more), in Коста Лакоста показывает свои любимые вещи (Costa Lacoste shows his favorite things).
So how did Коста Лакоста make it to Music in Russian? you may wonder.
The answer is in the songs below.
Сатурн (Saturn) (2025)
From the album Мужчина, который чувствует. Часть 1. The track «На ночь» (For the Night) is on the same album; it was also released as a stand-alone single, and has its own music video. Safe to assume, Коста and his management picked it over «Сатурн». I picked «Сатурн» over «На ночь», and kept playing it. Full song lyrics on Genius.com.
Но любовь, как спичка, в холодной воде
Пока по орбите гуляет Сатурн
Ты моя законность, я твой беспредел
but love is like a match in cold water.
While Saturn wanders through its orbit,
you are my lawfulness, I am your lawlessness.
А ты говоришь (And you say)
Stand-alone single (Soundcloud, Spotify). Full song lyrics on Genius.com.
А я тебе верю, но не доверяю
А я тебя выучил в каждом движении
Твои победы – моё поражение
and I believe you, but I don’t trust you.
I’ve learned you in every movement,
your victories are my defeats.
Поневоле (Involuntarily) (2022)
Stand-alone single (Apple Music, Spotify). Full song lyrics on Genius.com.
Либо любовь либо я синий
Унесённый ветра муссоны
Либо любовь меня кружили
Either love, or I’m blue
Swept away by monsoon winds
Either love was spinning me around
Номера (Rooms) (live) (2025)
After some harsh words about Коста Лакоста, it is only fair to let him have the last word. And what better way to do that than with an acoustic live performance – perhaps the fairest test of his voice. Not only does he hold his own without layers of synths and elaborate production; he may actually do better without them. Full song lyrics on Genius.com.
Попробуй объяснить, почему в небе не звёзды горят
После заката наступит рассвет, люди так говорят
Но я не этого жду, я жду, как и прежде, тебя
Try to explain why there are no stars in the sky.
After sunset comes the dawn, people say.
But that’s not what I’m waiting for, I’m waiting, as before, for you.
More Коста Лакоста songs
You may also like
Дожди (2024)
Революция (2024)
Дым с ментолом (2024)
Весна (2023)
Иностранец (2022)
Звенит январская вьюга (2022, see this article)
По-другому (2021, with Лолита Милявская)
Самолётик (2019)
Венера (2019)
Дискошар (2019)
More about Коста Лакоста
Read more about Коста Лакоста (Costa Lacoste) on Dzen, Rambler, 24smi, 100biografiy, Stories of Success (all in Russian).
Listen on Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube.
Follow Коста Лакоста on Instagram, Telegram, VK.
More electro in the playlist Russian Electronic by Music in Russian on Spotify. Songs covered here can also be found in this YouTube playlist, and in Music in Russian songs on Spotify.
Follow Music in Russian on Telegram, Facebook, X, YouTube.
© Music in Russian, 2026
