Винтаж - Biography and discography, all albums and songs

The group “Vintage” emerged in 2006 as an independent creative experiment by two strong artists — Anna Pletnyova and Alexey Romanov. Both already had stage experience, but neither was a “star of a single era”:

• Anna had been the lead singer of the pop group “Licey” for eight years,

• Alexey worked in the project “A-Mega” and wrote music for other artists.

They met at a moment when each of them was going through a creative turning point. The idea of forming a group did not come from a producer’s office, but arose spontaneously — as an inner need to make music without limits, yet with aesthetics: bold, sensual, intelligent, and musically polished.

They were joined by the dancer Mia — graceful, theatrical, and instrumental in shaping the visual side of early “Vintage.”

The first phase: provocation, style, and success (2006–2009)

As early as 2007, the debut album “Criminal Love” was released — and it immediately set the project’s standards:

• a musical collage of pop, electro, trip-hop, and ethnic influences;

• references to world music and cinema;

• an emphasis on visual aesthetics and female sensuality without vulgarity.

The singles “Gomen Nasai,” “All the Best,” “9½ Weeks,” and “Mama Mia” entered chart rotations, while the videos went viral long before the TikTok era.

In 2008, “Vintage” took over the airwaves with the song “Bad Girl” — a daring duet between Anna Pletnyova and actress Elena Korikova. The group cemented its status as “the boldest and most beautiful pop project in the country.” They were put on the air, invited to television, and called to major award ceremonies.

In 2009, the group achieved the most important thing — creating a hit that became an era: “Eva”. It stayed at No. 1 on the radio for 9 weeks, became an anthem of refined melancholy, and finally turned “Vintage” into a brand.

The album “SEX” and the peak of popularity (2009–2011)

On October 14, 2009, the second album — “SEX” — was released.
It was not just a collection of singles, but a conceptual work about love, physicality, spirituality, and taboo. Musically, it was a blend of electro-pop, drum and bass, Eastern motifs, and symphonic passages.

The project turned into a fashionable cultural phenomenon:
✔ costumes, latex, whips, masks — theatrical eroticism without vulgarity;
✔ provocative lyrics, yet presented with irony and intelligence;
✔ performances as mini-theatrical productions.

The group began to be described as “fashion pop” and “the Russian Goldfrapp.”

In 2010–2011, the album “Anechka” was released, more lyrical and intimate — this was where songs such as “Roman” and “Mama America” appeared. At that moment, the original dancer Mia was replaced by Svetlana Ivanova, who brought a new stage style to the project.

A new phase: maturity, changes, and experimentation (2012–2015)

After the success of the first albums, the group did not fall into formula, but continued to experiment.

• The years 2012–2013 were a time of major concert tours, participation in award shows, television projects, and soundtrack recordings.

• The music became more cinematic, with more acoustic elements and retro aesthetics.

• The songs “Trees,” “I Believe in Love,” “Mickey,” “Sexy Groove,” and “Aquarius Sign” were released.

• Gradually, the original lineup began to lose momentum — for the first time, “Vintage” started changing from within.

In 2014, Anna Pletnyova gave birth to her third child. There was no conflict within the group, but the pace slowed down. Alexey Romanov focused on writing for other artists.

Pause and lineup change (2016–2017)

In 2016, the most unexpected twist took place: Pletnyova and Romanov announced a temporary departure. The “Vintage” brand remained, but the lineup changed completely.

A female trio/quartet took the stage:

• Evgenia Polikarpova

• Anastasia Kreskina

• Anna Kornilyeva

• later — Anastasia Kazaku

From a musical point of view, the project remained recognizable: the old hits were still performed, and new songs were released (“You and Me,” “When You’re Near”). But without Anna’s charisma and Romanov’s songwriting, the group lost some of its depth and provocative edge.

The return of the legendary lineup (2018)

In 2018, what fans had been waiting for finally happened — Anna Pletnyova and Alexey Romanov returned to the project.
They released updated versions of songs, new singles (“Fresh Water,” “Gold,” “Higher”), and refreshed the live lineup (guitars, electronic percussion, a live dance troupe).

This comeback was conceptual: not “nostalgia,” but a grown-up version of “Vintage” — more musical, yet still just as beautiful, sensual, and intelligent.

Vintage 2020–2025: new aesthetics and continued relevance

In the 2020s, “Vintage” did not disappear — it adapted:

• actively performing at festivals, private events, and open-air venues;

• releasing singles such as: “Girl from the Past,” “My Ocean,” “Maldives,” “Lower,” “Cosmos”;

• taking part in TikTok projects and updating its sound (retro synths, 1980s wave, neo-disco);

• collaborating with DJs and electronic producers;

• Anna Pletnyova simultaneously pursuing a solo career, while “Vintage” remains an active live project.

In 2024–2025, new concert programs appeared: acoustic versions of hits, live guitars, brass instruments, and a trio of backing vocalists. The music of “Vintage” began to be heard not only on pop radio, but also on retro stations, lounge playlists, and even at fashion shows.

Complete discography through 2025

Studio albums:

Most famous singles:

2006–2010:
“Mama Mia,” “All the Best,” “Gomen Nasai,” “9½ Weeks,”
“Bad Girl,” “The Loneliness of Love,” “Eva.”

2011–2015:
“Roman,” “Mama America,” “I Always Remember You,” “Trees,” “Mickey.”

2016–2017 (new lineup):
“When You’re Near,” “You and Me,” “Night Scooter.”

2018–2025 (return):
“Fresh Water,” “Gold,” “Cosmos,” “Maldives,” “Higher,” “My Ocean.”

Interesting facts

• The name “Vintage” means “aged wine” — not old age, but style and quality.

• Pletnyova and Romanov first met because of a chance road accident.

• “Bad Girl” became the first Russian music video to be discussed as an art performance rather than just a pop video.

• The song “Eva” contains an encoded story about singer Eva Polna’s departure from the stage.

• Pletnyova has a classical vocal education and a teaching diploma.

• Some videos were filmed in pavilions built specifically for a single video production (for example, “Mama America”).

Today, “Vintage” is not just a pop group, but a rare example of a project that managed to survive every wave of musical fashion and remain relevant. Their songs still play on the radio, in playlists, and at concerts, while the group’s name is associated with artistry, sensual aesthetics, and high production standards. “Vintage” has proven that style and sincerity are stronger than trends, and that music infused with personality and feeling does not age. They are not trying to catch up with time — they shape it themselves, remaining vintage in the very best sense of the word: refined, recognizable, and eternally modern.