Jun 19, 2025

Otnicka: Belarusian Producer Marrying Trap Beats & Synthwave

The Shadow and the Synth: How Otnicka Is Crafting a New Era of Sound

If you've ever found yourself spiraling into a rabbit hole of moody synths, slow-burning beats, and the kind of music that feels like it should be soundtracking a rainy cyberpunk noir film—you’ve probably met the sound of Otnicka, whether you knew his name or not.

Hailing from Belarus, Aliaksei “Otnicka” Stanulevich isn’t your average producer behind a laptop. He’s the quiet type—less press conference, more underground frequency. Since 2014, he's been crafting his way into the global consciousness with a sound that’s instantly recognizable: dark synthwave laced with deep-house grooves, analog synths purring like muscle cars from an ‘80s action flick, and a surprising layer of live instrumentation—guitar, mandolin, and even charango (yes, that tiny Andean guitar that gives some tracks a strangely haunting folk twist).

Now that’s range.

Who Is This Guy and Why Should You Care?

Aliaksei, born in 1993, didn’t arrive on the scene with fireworks or TikTok dance challenges. He did it the old-fashioned way: track by track, hook by hook, beat by beat. His breakout hit “Where Are You” has now clocked over 45 million streams, and there’s a very good chance you've heard it in the background of someone's moody Instagram story or at 2 AM while driving through the city, wondering why life suddenly feels like a music video.

But Otnicka isn’t a one-hit phenomenon. He’s got albums that stand as cinematic journeys:

Babel (2020): Atmospheric, layered, and a little bit existential.
Peaky Blinder EP (2021): Think leather jackets, whiskey, and rainy cobblestones.
Instinct (2025): His latest masterpiece, turning emotion into waveform.

We’ll get to Instinct later—spoiler alert: it’s absolutely loaded.

What Makes Otnicka’s Sound So Addictive?

It’s like this:

You take the dark neon glow of synthwave.
Add deep-house pulse that doesn’t rush, it moves.
Mix in organic strings and folk textures, almost contradictory in electronic music—but somehow, it works.
Then there’s the atmosphere. His music feels like something. It doesn’t just play; it transports.

Honestly, if Blade Runner opened a lounge bar in Berlin, Otnicka would be the house DJ.

He even plays many instruments himself, which is rare in a scene dominated by pure digital production. Whether it’s that haunting mandolin on “Babel” or ambient textures that don’t sound pre-made—this guy isn’t looping samples he found on the third page of Splice.

Recent Hits That Deserve a Loop

Let’s talk about what’s been playing on our headphones recently:

“Euphoria” (2023): Ironic name, considering it’s more melancholic than manic. Perfect for staring dramatically out of windows.
“Delhi” (2024): Eastern flair meets bass-heavy production. This track eats.
“Anywhere” and “Falling Stars” (2024): Absolute ear candy. Beautifully structured, never overproduced.

And if you’re ever in the mood to feel like the main character of a dystopian romance, throw on “Memories” or “Stronger”. Trust me.

Big Names, Bigger Collabs

Otnicka isn’t a lone wolf all the time—he collaborates with an impressive range of artists that bridge continents and genres:

Gustavo Santaolalla (Yes, The Last of Us Gustavo)
Selda Bağcan (Legendary Turkish singer with protest soul)
Kaskeiyp, Duke Luke, ONEIL, Artem Mikhaenkin, Josh Charm – a who’s-who of the electronic underground.

The result? Tracks that blend cultural roots with futuristic production. It’s the audio equivalent of seeing a retro-futuristic movie where everyone wears trench coats but still checks Instagram.

From Belarus to the World

You might not expect a dark synth maestro to emerge from Belarus, but that’s exactly what makes Otnicka's story more cinematic. His debut at Sunburn Festival Goa in 2022 was a statement: he’s not just a bedroom producer anymore. He’s global, and the crowd loved it.

He’s also not just floating around SoundCloud. Otnicka has launched his own label—Otnicka Music Lab—in 2023, stepping into the role of tastemaker and curator. The guy’s building a world.

And that world is catching fire. At one point, he had over 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify. Right now? Around 684K. That’s not a dip—it’s a solid, loyal following in a genre where trends shift faster than your ex's dating preferences.

Oh, and about that plagiarism scandal? The Indian film Leo was accused of lifting “Where Are You” for its soundtrack. And let’s be honest—if a big-budget movie wants your beat, that means you're doing something very right.

Fashion Meets Frequency

While we’re deep in the retro vibes, let’s not forget that this entire wave of sound has been pairing beautifully with a visual comeback—retro aesthetics. Neon lights, vintage VHS overlays, and of course, those slick outfits that look like they time-traveled from 1987 and came back cooler.

This is where Newretro.Net slides into the chat.

If you’re vibing with Otnicka’s music, you already get it. We’re talking retro leather jackets, futuristic-yet-classic sneakers, and bold sunglasses that scream synthwave protagonist. It’s like wearing the soundtrack. Whether you’re hitting the street or just making a statement from your bedroom studio, Newretro.Net fits the mood.

You don’t need a DeLorean to bring retro back. Just a good sense of taste and a few well-chosen pieces. The future is retro—and it looks damn good on you.

We’ve only scratched the surface here, and if you’re still with me, buckle up. There’s a lot more to say about Otnicka’s rise, his latest album, and how he’s quietly becoming one of the most innovative names in electronic music.

So where were we?

Right—standing in the neon-soaked alleyways of Otnicka’s soundscape, jackets zipped up, sunglasses on at night, waiting for the beat to drop. But now it’s time to go deeper into what makes this Belarusian sound architect such a force—not just in music, but in culture, aesthetics, and the emotional frequency of a new generation.

“Instinct”: The Album That Hits Hard in All the Right Places

Released in 2025, “Instinct” doesn’t try to reinvent Otnicka. It refines him. This is the sound of an artist who knows exactly what he wants to say—and how to say it with reverb, restraint, and the kind of emotional pull that sneaks up on you halfway through track three.

Let’s break it down a bit:

No filler tracks: Every song earns its place. It’s a rare album where you don’t feel the urge to skip.
Guitar-driven moments: Some tracks bring in a rawness that’s hard to fake. Self-played guitar gives it a human touch that’s honestly missing from a lot of electronic albums.
Sound evolution: While earlier works leaned heavily into synthwave noir, Instinct brings in more cinematic, even orchestral elements, layered with ambient house and modern trip-hop shadows.

You can feel the maturity. It’s not experimental for the sake of being weird. It’s confident. And moody. Very moody. In the best possible way.

Honestly, if Otnicka’s early work was a cool underground film, Instinct is his full-blown A24 directorial debut. The vibe is immaculate.

The Fanbase: A Quiet Cult of Cool

You won’t find Otnicka’s fans screaming on TikTok or spamming Instagram reels with dance routines. This isn’t that kind of fandom.

His audience is more like a secret society. A digital underground of music lovers, audiophiles, nighttime drivers, and hoodie-clad laptop warriors who want more from their music than a drop and a trend.

They want a feeling. They want a scene.

Here’s a little checklist to spot an Otnicka fan:

They listen to entire albums, not just singles.
They know the difference between a preset synth and one that was handcrafted in a sleep-deprived haze at 2 AM.
Their playlists have track names like “Rainfall_Alone” or “VHS Dreams in Tokyo.”
Their fashion? You guessed it: retro, clean, dark tones—often leather or denim. They shop like they sound.

Which is, let’s be honest, another perfect fit for Newretro.Net. If you’re the type of person whose music taste sounds like a stylish night drive in a dystopian city—you’re gonna want to dress the part too. Our latest drops are practically built for Otnicka fans. The jackets? Sharp. The sunglasses? Main character mode. The sneakers? VHS nostalgia meets streetwear edge.

(We’re not saying Otnicka wears Newretro. But we’re not not saying it either.)

Otnicka in the Live Arena: A Controlled Explosion

It’s one thing to produce dark, brooding music in the comfort of your studio. It’s another thing entirely to bring that mood to a live crowd—and somehow not lose the intimacy.

But Otnicka? He gets it.

At Sunburn Festival Goa in 2022, he stepped onto one of Asia’s biggest stages and didn’t try to out-volume anyone. He didn’t need pyrotechnics or a bass cannon to prove himself. Instead, he delivered a masterclass in slow-burning tension. The crowd moved. Slowly at first, then like a wave caught in the undertow of a very calculated drop.

That’s his secret weapon. He doesn’t chase hype. He lets it build naturally.

And that’s how he’s doing it globally, too. With connections to Sony Music Mexico, Lithuania HQ, and more, he's plugged into a circuit that spans continents. Yet his own label, Otnicka Music Lab, ensures that he keeps full creative control. Which, in this era of algorithm-chasing singles, is pretty punk rock.

Is He Underrated? Probably. But Maybe That’s the Point.

Here’s the thing about Otnicka: he’s not trying to be the next Calvin Harris or Zedd. He’s not showing up at red carpets or DJing for influencer beach parties. His whole presence feels more… deliberate.

He’s the kind of artist who prefers to stay in the shadows—because that’s where his music lives. It’s the soundtrack for the side streets, the late nights, the moments you don’t post online.

And in a world that’s screaming louder every day, that quiet intensity stands out.

That’s the magic of Otnicka.

He’s built an entire sound universe out of subtlety, style, and synths. A world that welcomes everyone—but never tries too hard to invite them. If you get it, you get it.

If not, no worries. The rest of us will be over here, headphones on, jackets zipped, feeling like the lead role in our own neon-tinted story.

And if you’re ready to live that story in full color, don’t just listen like a main character—dress like one. Browse Newretro.Net, pick your statement piece, and let the music do the rest.

Because whether you’re in the club, on a train, or walking through the rain like it's a music video…
The vibe is Otnicka. The look is Newretro.

Welcome to the future of sound. And style.