On February 20, 2026, a shock went through Russia’s independent music scene and far beyond, as it was announced that Nikolai Komyagin, frontman and vocalist of Shortparis, had passed away at the age of 39, after feeling unwell following a boxing training session.
Shortparis’ Creative Voice
As the group’s central figure, Komyagin played a defining role in shaping Shortparis’ identity – both in sound and in presence. Formed in Saint Petersburg, Shortparis developed a style that resists easy categorization, combining post-punk, electronic structures, and a strong performative dimension – an approach closely tied to Komyagin’s expressive presence.
Return to the Music
Today, the challenge is not only to commemorate the deceased, but to remember him living – and to return to the music without the sad note that may now be in it. It was never intended to end up in the mix. It’s a false note, out of tune, all wrong.
Here are three tracks to get back into it, with links to more below.
Thank you for the music, Nikolai Vladimirovich Komyagin (1987–2026).
Русский танец (Russian Dance, 2025)
From Родная земля (Native Land)
Раз, Два, Три, Четыре
Танцуй со мной, Это русский танец
Раз, Раз, Самый страшный танец
Танцуй со мной
One, Two, Three, Four
Dance with me, This is a Russian dance
One, One, The scariest dance
Dance with me
(Full song lyrics on Genius.com)
Муж начальницы (The Boss’s Husband, 2023)
From Гроздья гнева (The Grapes of Wrath)
Слова должны разрывать ебучий экран кина!
Тупая смерть мужа на производстве
Твое предательство, педофилия, гойда!
Words should tear up the fucking movie screen!
Stupid death of husband at work
Your betrayal, pedophilia, goyda!
(Full song lyrics on Genius.com, translation on LyricsTranslate)
Страшно (Scary, 2019)
From Так закалялась сталь (Thus the Steel Was Tempered)
Молчит семья
Наивно уставился
И планы правятся
В ответе я, с кем спит моя
The family is silent
Stared naively
And plans are working out
I am the answer, with whom does mine sleep
(Full song lyrics on Genius.com, translation on LyricsTranslate)
More Shortparis Songs
В первый раз (2023)
Гроздья гнева (2023)
О, как небо черно (2023)
Новое новое (2022)
Гетто в озере (2022)
Охота на волков (2022)
Говорит Москва (2021)
Двадцать (2021)
Туту (2019)
Стыд (2019)
Amsterdam (2019)
Last Performance
Последний перформанс Николая Комягина: Nikolai Komyagin’s last performance (Бумага. Петербург, 2026)
Best Live
Shortparis: Russia’s best live band shows us their St. Petersburg (Arte Tracks, 2019, English subtitles)
More alternative in the playlist Russian Alternative on YouTube (new), and in Russian Alternative / Русская Альтернатива on Spotify. Songs covered here can also be found in this YouTube playlist, and in Music in Russian songs on Spotify.
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© Music in Russian, 2026
