Neha! – Svetu (CPL-Music / CPL-Musicgroup, 2026)
Svetu presents the stirring polyphonic singing of Slovak vocal ensemble Neha! Svetu features ten joyful traditional songs from six countries. Throughout the album, beautifully-crafted layered vocal arrangements interact with guest instrumentation that brings together various folk traditions, modern arrangements, and cross-cultural perspectives.
Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic by Zuzana Vranka Žiaková, Neha! cropped up as a creative collaboration between six singers who shared a commitment to artistic exploration and vocal performance. Soon after, choir director Bohdana Ljashko joined the ensemble. She provided musical guidance that helped refine its developing sound.
By 2021, Neha! had begun appearing at festivals and cultural events across Slovakia, including Letná slávnosť na Sekierskych lúkach, HippieJam, and StreetArt Fest Piešťany. The group also expanded its reach internationally with performances at Pilsen Busking Fest in the Czech Republic.
The ensemble increased its activity in 2022 with six concerts dedicated to peace in support of Ukraine, alongside nearly 30 additional performances throughout the year. During the same period, producer Anton Popovič became the group’s artistic supervisor and contributed to its continued artistic development.
The name Neha!, which translates as “tenderness,” reflects the ensemble’s emphasis on empathy, mutual support, and human connection. These values also affect the group’s artistic direction, which frequently engages with social themes and community-focused initiatives.
Notably, Neha! has developed a performance style that combines polyphonic singing with improvisation and audience interaction. This approach encourages participation and reduces the distance between performers and listeners.
Over the past several years, the ensemble has appeared at prominent events and venues, including World Music Festival Bratislava, Aux Heures d’Été Festival in Nantes, Atmosféra Festival, and Budapest’s A38 Ship. Among its notable projects was the Radically Tender Tour, which brought performances to four Roma settlements in eastern Slovakia.
In 2024, Neha! completed its debut album following a successful crowdfunding campaign. The recording process took place under the guidance of Anton Popovič and vocal coach Lenka Paulíková. Various guest musicians also contributed to the project, including beatboxer Emil “Esso” Smoliga, percussionists Roman Turtev and Michal Fedor, cellist Juraj Škoda, and harpist Andy Aquarius.
Ensemble members:
Belinda Rašnerová – Organizer, manager, artist with wide-ranging interests from music to visual arts, dance, and performance. Lives in Bratislava.
Denisa Parobeková — Singer.
Mária Valentová – Singer, full-time mother, co-creator of women’s circles focused on ritual singing, rooted in Slovak traditions.
Kristína Kikon Kluvánek – Voice researcher and sound designer, active in artistic collectives in Copenhagen and Berlin. She explores embodiment through sound and movement.
Sára Halíková – Musician and performer, visionary and social activist. She brings unconventional art and community projects to life.
Zuzana Vranka Žiaková – Animator, singer, cultural organizer. She combines visual arts, music, and digital technology; and promotes Slovak world music internationally.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.