Explore Uzbekistan’s fascinating sound state during the Karimov era, where popular music shaped political landscapes. Kerstin Klenke’s pioneering study unveils *estrada*’s pivotal role as state-sanctioned sound, examining its deep roots in Soviet legacy and bureaucratic oversight. Based on extensive fieldwork, this book offers critical insights into music’s power within authoritarian contexts, challenging established theories. A must-read for Indian scholars, researchers, and students of musicology, political science, and cultural studies seeking nuanced understandings of statecraft and popular culture in Central Asia.