Yugo Package Deal

Packet Aranžman (or Package Deal) was a 1981 new wave compilation focusing on Belgrade bands Šarlo Akrobata, Idoli and Električni Orgazam and was a rite of passage for every generation in the Balkans. It was released on the state owned Jugoton label no less, which is a unique situation in itself. Heavy duty punk, hardcore or industrial was not so lucky. By the time I was getting into music, the bands of this era were already mythological and either long gone or turned commercial retro rock of some kind. Chances were pretty big that you would hear one of these tunes at a party or being covered by some new group. Jugoton is now Croatia records and a lot of these new wave classics are back in print again and affordable.

These were the kids turned on by Talking Heads, XTC, Public Image, Gang of Four etc and had fellow compatriots in every capital city. You could compare it to the ‘Wanna Buy a Bridge’ Rough Trade compilation although that one has a lot more variety going for it. Of all the acts present, Šarlo Akrobata is the most out there musically and their first and only album is mandatory listening if you’re interested in Yugoslavian new wave post punk whatever. It actually makes me think more of Pere Ubu or The Pop Group with their abstract jazzy dub noise only if they were younger and could barely control their instruments. They would splinter off into two other hugely influential bands E Katarina Velika and Disciplina Kičme.

https://www.new-east-archive.org/features/show/12495/yugoslav-new-wave-1980s-music-40-years-on