Eto ne lyubov… – The Story Behind Kino’s 1985 Album
Released 14 September 1985, Eto ne lyubov… is the fourth studio album by Soviet rock legends Kino, fronted by Viktor Tsoi. It was recorded in just two weeks at Alexey Vishnya’s apartment and spans genres from jangle pop and new wave to post‑punk and indie rock
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Why Eto ne lyubov…Still Matters
• Rapid, inspired creation: Tsoi burst into the studio in spring 1985, recording song after song — noted by Vishnya as “the bassist Alexander Titov recorded all parts in a single day” .
• Innovative production: Drum machine programming by Yuri Kasparyan and Vishnya (despite drummer Georgy Guryanov being credited)
• Tsoi's visual vision: The album cover was entirely designed by Tsoi — he selected a cut‑out photo of a woman from a foreign art magazine, then hand‑added the purple stripes and “КИНО” title from magazine letters
• Remakes & legacy: In March 2024, Kino re‑recorded the full album with cleaner, modern sound, with Alexander Tsoi emphasizing "the gap between original and what's in our heads”
Track Highlights & Musical Depth
The album blends introspective lyrics and evolving sounds—tracklist includes fan favorites:
1. Этот не любовь (“This is Not Love”)
2. Весна (“Spring”)
3. Уходи (“Go Away”)
4. Город (“City”)
5. Проснись (“Wake Up”)
…through to “Музыка волн” (“Music of the Waves”) and bonus tracks in later editions
Critics called it "fashionable, innovative, and a masterpiece" — it even placed 14th in Rolling Stone’s "100 Best USSR Albums"
Own the Icon: Eto ne lyubov… T‑Shirts & Merch
Bring history into your wardrobe. Our exclusive T‑shirt features the authentic album cover — Viktor Tsoi’s original collage, recreated in vivid purple stripe detail.
• Premium cotton/organic fabric
• Exact‑print artwork with hand‑drawn text and stripes
• Modern/unisex fit
• Ships worldwide — limited stock
Why Buy From Kinoband.com?
• Authentic reproductions, approved by rights holders
• High‑quality print craftsmanship
• Collector’s appeal: Own a piece of cinematic Russian rock history
• Upcoming merch drop: hoodies, flags, sweats—stay tuned!
Shop the Eto ne lyubov… T‑shirt now!
In Conclusion
Eto ne lyubov… wasn't just an album—it was a rapid-fire, emotionally raw statement that shaped Soviet rock. Featuring Tsoi’s own handwritten visuals, it remains a timeless emblem of underground artistry. Now, you can wear it — and soon even more.