Molchat Doma: Belaya Polosa - REVIEWED
After four years, the Belarusian post-punk band Molchat Doma have returned with their fourth studio album, 'Belaya Polosa'. In stark contrast to the dark brutalist architecture featured in Belaya's album artwork... the album was recorded in sunny Los Angeles. You may be familiar with the popular Russian post-punkers from their legendary sophomore record, 'Etazhi'.
The album opens with 'Ты Же Не Знаешь Кто Я / Ty Zhe Ne Znaesh Kto Ya' (translation: 'You Don’t Know Who I Am'). It's a song about heartbreak, the complexity of human emotions, and how we interact with each other. It begins with a brooding staticy synth, piercing choppy synths, and punchy drums. Halfway through the track, there is an instrumental which is reminiscent of late '90s dance tracks, like 'Children' by 'Robert Miles'. Love it or hate it, I love it. Immediately, this album is one for dancing or walking around with your head held high and a beat in your step.
'Колесом / Kolesom' (translation: 'By The Wheel') is the second track on the album. It has that trademark Molchat ominous tone to it, and its lyrics explore the endless cycle of life. How everything changes, but things are somehow always still the same...
'Сон / Son' (translation: 'Dream') opens with an instrumental which makes you feel like you're in a dark jungle during a thunderstorm... surrounded by wild animals that you can't see. When the guitar kicks in, you can't help but feel you're in some sort of final feat scene in Jurassic Park. That feeling of 'it's time'. It's time to fight. Yet, midway through the track you begin to feel like you're in a classic western, ready for a gunfight. I suppose these are all situations one would find oneself in a 'dream'.
'Белая Полоса / Belaya Polosa' (translation: 'The White Stripe') is the title track. It has a more sinister tone to it, robotic, metallic, brutalist.
The next track, 'Безнадежный Вальс / Beznadezhniy Waltz' (translation: 'Hopeless Waltz'), is an instrumental. The title is a perfect descriptor already; the instrumental is a piano track. It is gothic and drenched in melancholy. If there were ever a song to romanticise rain and candlelight to, this is it.
Yet, the next track, 'Черные Цветы / Chernye Cvety' (translation: 'Black Flowers'), could not be more different. It feels as though you've time-travelled from a Gothic-era ball in the 16th century to the R&B/shoegaze-filled '90s.
'III' returns us to the dance floor. It's cathartic, you've had your time to grieve what was. It's time to dance the pain and heartbreak away. The energy is consistent throughout the track, high, adrenaline-inducing.
Egor Shkutko's vocals particularly shine through on 'Не Вдвоем / Ne Vdvoem' (translation: 'Not Together'). They are reminiscent of a church organ. Religious or not, the sound of a church organ is beautiful. Not to mention the feeling of urgency portrayed by the synths, drums, and the dissonant guitar riffs.
'Я Так Устал / Ya Tak Ustal' (translation: I’m So Tired) sounds straight out of the '80s. Synthwave at its finest.
The final track on the album is 'Зимняя / Zimnyaya' (translation: 'Winter Song'), fitting as we enter the colder months. It carries on the vibe of the album thus far and is the perfect closer.
Once again, Molchat Doma have exceeded all expectations, a true light in the post-punk scene.
You can catch the band on their UK/EU tour beginning at the end of October, ticket link: https://molchatdoma.com/tours/
Order the album: https://molchatdoma.com/music/
