Walt (album)

Walt is the seventh studio album by Croatian alternative rock band Pips, Chips & Videoclips, released in May 2013 after a six-year gap following Pjesme za gladijatore (2007). The album marked a return to a guitar-driven rock sound and was the band’s first release largely self-produced, with guitarist Ivan Božanić assuming primary production duties.^[1]

Lyrically, Walt combines intimate relationship narratives with broader social observation. Its title references Walt Disney as a symbolic figure associated with illusion, hope and cultural mythology, a theme frontman Dubravko Ivaniš repeatedly addressed in interviews surrounding the album’s release.^[2]

Upon release, Walt received strong critical acclaim and was frequently described as the band’s most convincing studio work of the 21st century. In 2014, the album won the Porin for Best Rock Album.^[3]

Walt was developed during a prolonged period of reduced studio activity following Pjesme za gladijatore. In interviews, frontman Dubravko Ivaniš described the album as a conscious attempt to refocus the band on songwriting and rock instrumentation after years of stylistic experimentation.^[4]

A defining feature of the album’s production was the band’s increased internal control. Guitarist Ivan Božanić assumed the role of producer, marking the first time a core band member led production duties on a Pips, Chips & Videoclips studio album.^[1]

Recording and editing for the album took place at Dan, Mrak Studio in Zagreb, which served as the primary recording location for Walt.^[5]

The recording sessions were characterised by an emphasis on live performance, restrained overdubbing and direct arrangements, reflecting the band’s intention to preserve immediacy and clarity rather than pursue a heavily layered studio sound.

Musically, Walt has frequently been described as a return to the band’s earlier rock foundations, foregrounding distorted guitars and steady rhythmic structures. Several critics noted the album’s stylistic coherence and avoidance of filler material.^[6]

Several reviewers explicitly described Walt as a return to the band’s earlier guitar-driven rock sound, emphasising its reliance on distorted guitars, compact arrangements and a more direct performance aesthetic compared to the band’s preceding studio releases.^[7]

Lyrically, the album juxtaposes intimate emotional states with ironic or critical reflections on contemporary Croatian society. Ivaniš has described the record as predominantly relationship-focused, while acknowledging its broader social subtext.^[2]

The song “Trubač” is notable for its vocal concept. Originally written as a duet for Ivaniš and his wife, singer Jadranka “Yaya” Ivaniš, the final version features Yaya as the sole lead vocalist after the band concluded during recording that the song functioned more convincingly with a single voice.^[8]

Walt was released on compact disc and vinyl formats in May 2013.^[9] Its promotion focused on a sequence of singles accompanied by music videos rather than an extensive touring cycle.

Shortly after the album’s release, the band presented a series of stripped-down studio performances of selected tracks, later issued on DVD. These recordings emphasised a raw, performance-based presentation of the album’s material and complemented the main release rather than serving as a conventional live album.

Promotion of Walt was centred on three singles released between 2013 and 2014. The lead single, “Htio bi da me voliš”, attracted immediate attention for its lyrics, which were frequently cited as among Ivaniš’s most accomplished. When asked about the song, Ivaniš stated that he himself could not fully explain how the lyrics were written, describing the process as unusually spontaneous.^[10] The accompanying video, directed by Radislav Jovanov Gonzo, starred dancer and choreographer Matija Ferlin.^[11]

The second single, “Bi li ili ne bi”, followed later in 2013 and gradually became a regular feature of the band’s concert setlists. Its music video includes appearances by Ivaniš and Jadranka Ivaniš’s daughter, a detail that contributed to the song’s personal resonance.^[12]

Released in early 2014, “Trubač” served as the album’s third single. In addition to featuring Yaya as lead vocalist, its music video includes appearances by members of the Vinkovci-based band Punčke.^[8]

Walt was met with broadly positive reviews upon release. Music critic Aleksandar Dragaš described the album as having no weak moments and identified it as the band’s most compelling studio release of the 21st century.^[13]

Zoran Stajčić emphasised the album’s thematic cohesion and cultural commentary, framing it as a late-career high point within the band’s catalogue.^[14]

Retrospective rankings and reassessments have frequently placed Walt among the band’s strongest releases, noting its balance between guitar-driven immediacy and reflective songwriting.^[15]

At the 2014 Porin Awards, Walt received multiple nominations across major categories and won the award for Best Rock Album. The album was also nominated for Album of the Year, while individual collaborators were recognised for production, recording, visual presentation and music video work.^[3]

Track listing and songwriting credits adapted from the band’s official website and the ZAMP authors’ database.^[1]

Credits adapted from the original CD liner notes.^[9]

Pips, Chips & Videoclips

• Dubravko Ivaniš – vocals, keyboards
• Ivan Božanić – guitar, production
• Marko Levanić – bass
• Tin Ostreš – drums, percussion
• Zdeslav Klarić – piano, Rhodes
• Krunoslav Tomašinec – guitar

Additional musicians

• Jura Ferina – keyboards
• Pavle Miholjević – guitar, bass
• Jadranka Ivaniš (Yaya) – vocals
• Mario Bočić – baritone saxophone
• Miron Hauser – trombone
• Igor Pavlica – trumpet

• Walt – lyrics and credits (in Croatian)
• Walt at Discogs