Star Crystal Power Of Love EP Review
Star Crystal
Power Of Love EP
Self-Released
2025
Some days are better than others, and then there are days when a piece of music lands in your inbox that scratches a very specific itch. If you’ve read much of my work, you know I have a serious soft spot for Glam and Sleaze - I’m an ’80s kid, after all. With that in mind, the latest act to hit that sweet spot is the Ukrainian Glam/AOR band Star Crystal.
The band has been around for a while and is fronted by powerhouse vocalist Susanna Radimovskaya. I don’t know a great deal about the rest of the group, aside from the fact that they’ve been playing shows across Europe and steadily releasing singles and EPs over the years.
What I’ve got here is a three-track release that was sent in as an EP. The band’s Spotify page lists the songs as standalone singles, but for the sake of this review we’ll treat it as the “Power Of Love” EP.
Musically, Star Crystal lands somewhere between classic ’80s melodic Hard Rock and glossy AOR. The overall vibe recalls bands like Vixen and Femme Fatale, with an occasional flash of Cyndi Lauper when Radimovskaya launches into her soaring falsetto range - she can really reach those upper registers.
The opener, “Come On Baby, Come On,” kicks things off with a punchy Hard Rock feel reminiscent of late-’80s radio Rock. It carries the kind of driving energy that helped define that era, though this track has a slightly rougher edge than many of the bands it brings to mind. Either way, it’s undeniably catchy and sets the tone nicely.
The title track, “Power Of Love,” serves as the centerpiece of the release and leans further into the AOR side of the band’s sound. Rich keyboard textures weave through a strong bass line, giving the song a big, melodic feel.
Radimovskaya’s vocal performance is the highlight here. She navigates the chorus with impressive control and range, hitting every note cleanly while still giving the melody room to breathe. The guitar lead is tasteful and fits the song perfectly without stealing the spotlight.
Closing track “Wild Wind” shifts gears into ballad territory. It opens with soft keyboards and restrained vocals before gradually building toward a sweeping, melodic chorus. Radimovskaya’s vocal range is fully on display here, and at times the sheer height of the notes she hits reminds me of the early 90’s Pop divas. It’s an effective closer that adds a different dimension to the release.
Overall, “Power Of Love” delivers a strong dose of feel-good nostalgia. The songs channel the spirit of late-’80s melodic Rock while still sounding fresh enough to stand on their own. It’s the kind of music that instantly transports me back to junior high - when holding hands, sneaking off for a quick kiss, and feeling like you were getting away with something were the highlights of the day.
I’d love to hear what Star Crystal could do with a full-length album. Until then, these tracks are well worth seeking out on YouTube or Spotify.