It's not hard to see why Stas Mikhailov has become one of Russia's most commercially successful musicians. He's proven to be capable of writing positive, joyous pop anthems full of earnest vitality as much as melancholic ballads sculpted by a mournful gravitas. Since releasing his first album in 1997, Mikhailov has gone on to win not only multiple prestigious awards but also a large following in his home country. His lyrics are often autobiographical, so as listeners peer into his collection, they are also peering into the life of this Russian legend.