Belaya Polosa

From the opening synth swell and drum machine throb of “Ty Zhe Ne Znaesh’ Kto Ya,” to the goth / post-punk austerity of “Son”, to the swirling electronic textures mixed with reverb-drenched guitar flourishes, expansive space, and yearning vocals of title track “Belaya Polosa”- that suggests Depeche Mode at their most reflective or The Cure at their most downtrod-den - to the sultry and seductive “Chernye Cvety” -  a track reminiscent of Duran Duran’s early ‘90s output in its fusion of dreamy guitars and authoritative mechanized beats - and the interwoven layers of instrumentation, soaring chorus, and melodic sophistication of “YaTak Ustal”, it’s clear that Molchat Doma are operating on another level.Molchat Doma gained following with earlier albums that sound like third-generation boot-legs of banned recordings from the Eastern Bloc made after a few key entries in the Factory Records catalog were smuggled in from the West. Belaya Polosa propels them into a new direction while retaining their cold minimalist delivery they’re known for. The basement grime and dirty tape-head sound of their previous work are now making space for digital luster and shimmering production values.
And while Molchat Doma’s broadened aural spectrum adds a synesthetic power to Belaya Polosa, the mood remains rooted in stark and unflinching self-reflection.Molchat Doma retain the duality of being both cold and feverish in their delivery while pushing their music into expanded territories through an armory of new textures. The trio continue to harness the sound of harrowing beauty thriving under harsh realities.