Iskala (translation)

Zemfira's song 'Iskala' is a poignant exploration of the relentless search for an idealized love, one that feels almost dreamlike in its perfection. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and desperation, as the narrator describes searching for this elusive figure over 'long long years' and through 'dark dark backalleys.' This imagery suggests a journey filled with obstacles and uncertainties, highlighting the emotional toll of such a quest. The repetition of these phrases emphasizes the passage of time and the depth of the narrator's yearning.

The chorus, where the narrator compares the beloved to a dream and to images painted in albums with gouache, adds a layer of artistic and almost surreal quality to the love being sought. Gouache, a type of paint known for its vibrant colors and opacity, symbolizes the vivid and idealized nature of the narrator's vision of love. This dreamlike quality is further underscored by the repeated assertion that the beloved is 'just like a dream,' suggesting that the reality of this love may never fully align with the idealized version in the narrator's mind.

As the song progresses, it delves into the complexities and challenges of maintaining this idealized love. The mention of 'night phone calls,' 'tears, nerves and love,' and 'dates in Poland' paints a picture of a relationship fraught with emotional highs and lows. The reference to 'children, but not mine' and 'old sweethearts' introduces themes of past relationships and unfulfilled desires, adding layers of melancholy and realism to the narrative. Ultimately, the song captures the bittersweet nature of searching for and sometimes finding a love that feels like a dream, only to realize that reality is far more complicated.