Molchat Doma - S Krysh Nashikh Domov (Album Review)

 

Molchat Doma - S Krysh Nashikh Domov 

(2017)

My copy: 2020 limited reissue on clear vinyl by Sacred Bones Records.

One year before Belarus's Molchat Doma would be launched into indie stardom through a viral TikTok hit, they trio debuted with S Krysh Nashikh Domov (From Our Houses’ Rooftops), which introduces their relatively simple formula for a synthwave/post-punk crossover. 

The band essentially switches between two core formats across the album: gothic synthwave with warm, mysterious progressions and simple post-punk grooves. “Doma Molchat” introduces their dancey-but-chilling sound with drum loops and cool guitar strums. The production is quite tinny and mid-focused, especially on “Kryshi” where the bass is mixed low beneath whistling synths. Each song relishes in a simple verse/chorus structure, with one main melody repeating on each track. The writing leavea much to be desired, but these are purveyors of atmosphere over all else. “Mashina Rabotaet” is the next track of note for having the most spastic energy in its flashy drum loops and digital sound effects.

The vocals are echoed, droning announcements that do little in the way of melody but reinforce the aesthetic well. “Neobychniy Chelovek” is fit for the slow dance at a goth prom, filling the room like thick clouds of smoke. The next two tracks mostly reaffirm the same concepts and are thus quite boring. The final two tracks do impress, as if they saved their most interesting ideas for the end. Finally breaking the pacing with a slow, glistening ambient drone, “Tishina” is the best of the synthwave songs with an extremely catchy hook. The best is saved for last, as “Ya Ne Kommunist” is the best of the post-punk material for finally introducing some much needed dissonance to the guitar. The syncopation of drums and layered melody suits them well, as does the fun vocals in the choruses. 

This collection is not offensively uninteresting, but much of it does blend into a haze of interchangeable genre tropes. The writing itself is not particularly impressive, save for the final two tracks. Still, there are compelling bouts of mania and it gives the sense that the music translates much better in a live environment. S Krysh Nashikh Domov isn’t a record that will knock your socks off, but for its short length this is still a fun patch of vaguely eerie modern synthwave.