For three decades, Theodor Bastard have bridged the traditions of the old world with the new. Now, five years removed from their last full-length journey, the Karelian pioneers of electro-folk are beginning a new venture that reconnects with their earliest roots.

Today, Theodor Bastard are releasing their first single in five years. While written specifically for the award-winning Russian crime drama The Method, “Nebo” offers an initial glimpse at the band’s upcoming ninth studio album. Yana Veva’s vocals continue to twirl with the fragility of snow, but the way the song’s beat rolls like smog recalls their early electronic experiments with World Music.

“We leaned on analog synthesizers, most notably the Soviet-era Polivoks and modern Arturia MiniBrute”, says Theodor Bastard’s founding member Fedor Svolotch. “Our recent albums have focused more on acoustic and ethnically-inflected textures. Returning to analog gear felt like coming home to a language we missed”.

Theodor Bastard were commissioned to write “Nebo” for the third season of The Method’, which premiered on Kinopoisk last Friday, December 12. The song plays during the show’s end credits and will soundtrack one of its pivotal scenes.

Theodore Bastard’s latest album Volch’Ya Yagoda, along with the recently reissued Vetvi and Oikoumene, are available now through Season of Mist.