“STOMACH BUTTERFLIES” by Max Barskih

Max Barskih’s Stomach Butterflies arrives as more than just a debut English-language single—it’s a heartfelt bridge between worlds, a testament to the power of resilience, and a radiant act of artistic courage. Known across Ukraine and Eastern Europe for his genre-defining pop sound and magnetic stage presence, Barskih now turns a deeply personal page, crafting a song that pulses with hope, inner strength, and quiet defiance in the face of upheaval. At its core, Stomach Butterflies is a celebration of emotional survival. It speaks to the fragile but persistent flutter of love and vulnerability that endures—even amid the dissonance of war. With tender sincerity and understated strength, the track reflects the inner world of a people determined not just to survive, but to feel fully, to trust again, and to continue building something beautiful.

It’s a pop song with a soul—a shimmering, modern anthem grounded in lived experience and collective healing. Barskih, a two-time MTV EMA winner and one of the most streamed and decorated artists across the CIS and Baltics, is no stranger to crafting hits. But here, he channels his songwriting prowess into something raw and restorative. Stomach Butterflies is not merely polished; it’s profoundly human. Every note feels carefully placed, every lyric imbued with a quiet emotional urgency. There’s warmth in the melody, but also weight—an acknowledgment of pain that’s been transformed into motion.

The accompanying video, directed by longtime collaborator Alan Badoev, heightens the song’s emotional reach. It is not just visually arresting, but spiritually affirming. With intimate scenes of connection and unspoken understanding, it captures the communal heartbeat behind Barskih’s message: that the light we carry forward is often born in the darkest places. In Stomach Butterflies, Max Barskih gives voice to a shared emotional truth—one that transcends borders and language. It’s a love song, yes, but also a call toward healing, toward hope, and toward remembering the things that make us feel alive. As a piece of pop music, it soars; as a statement of purpose, it shines even brighter.