Music: Gogol Bordello – “Ignition”: Punk Heart Meets Post-Punk Pulse in a Celebration of Lifelong Bonds

Gogol Bordello are a New York–based gypsy punk outfit led by Eugene Hütz, revered for fusing Eastern European folk, punk ferocity, and theatrical performance into a globally recognisable sound. Formed in 1999, the band blend punk urgency, violin and accordion flourishes, and an unmistakable carnival energy — a style often dubbed gypsy punk — rooted in cultural cross-pollination and political consciousness.

Over more than two decades, Gogol Bordello have become one of alternative music’s most exhilarating live acts, known for high-octane shows that feel like a shared celebration of rebellion and unity. Their work reflects a diasporic spirit and social urgency, mixing raw rock drive with global influences that defy easy categorisation.

“Ignition” is the latest single from Gogol Bordello’s forthcoming album We Mean It, Man! (out February 13, 2026), and it channels the band’s evolving post-punk groove into an anthem of lifelong friendship and trust. Produced by Nick Launay and Adam “Atom” Greenspan, the track melds driving rhythms with melodic urgency, forging a sound that’s both kinetic and deeply heartfelt.

The music video for “Ignition” stars award-winning actor Liev Schreiber, whose decade-plus friendship with frontman Eugene Hütz forms the emotional core of the visual narrative — a tribute to the bonds that pull you out of life’s toughest moments. Hütz describes the song as centred on “the hardest currency there is: lifelong friendships and trust.”

With “Ignition,” Gogol Bordello demonstrate that their signature fusion of punk spirit and global sonic textures continues to evolve — explosive, sincere, and alive with connection.