By 2020, Molchat Doma had released their breakout album, Monument (Монумент) before the world paused during the pandemic. During this time, the Belarusian synth-rock trio found their 2018 single “Sudno” (“Vessel”) unexpectedly revived on TikTok with a frenzy of mostly comical or goth-themed scenarios—and nearly 165 million uses—even if the lyrics were centered around Russian poet Boris Ryzhy, who ended his life in 2001 at age 26.
That year was one of changes, personal and professional as the band also relocated from their hometown of Minsk to Los Angeles, where they remained during the pandemic and began working on their fourth album, Belaya Polosa.
Translated as “white stripe” in Belarusian, Belaya Polosa has a deeper meaning for the band, beyond any political connotations—referring to the stripped flag used to promote a democratic Belarus—and suits the “theme” of the album. “‘Belaya Polosa’ symbolizes bright moments in life after difficult times,” vocalist Yahor Shkutko tells American Songwriter. “It’s a metaphor for how periods of good fortune follow challenging experiences.”
There’s symmetry between the impalpable, darker tones and the electronic synth-pop, austerity and levity, on Belaya Polosa, and a testament to the band’s surmounting challenges—a new home, life upheavals, and making it out into lighter days from the opening “Ty Zhe Ne Znaesh Kto Ya” (“You Don’t Know Who I Am”) and overcast, dreamlike single “Son,” moving between the light and darker viewpoint—The sky is falling down on us like red sparks / The dome of hope melted during that time / You can’t deceive them with pitiful glances / It is too late to do the sign of the cross: we can’t be saved (translated from Russian to English).
Midway through, the eerier interlude “Beznadezhnyy Waltz” settles in before returning to the dystopian dance of “III” through “Ya Tak Ustal” (“I’m So Tired”) and closing “Zimnyaya” (“Winter”).
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“The entire album is a prism through which we tried to reflect what has happened to us,” said the band in a previous statement.
Molchat Doma’s Shkutko and multiinstrumentalists Raman Komogortsev and Pavel Kozlov spoke with American Songwriter about the years leading up to Belaya Polosa, what they discovered after uprooting to the U.S. and finding a “maturity” in their sound.
American Songwriter: Los Angeles was your new “home base” for Belaya Polosa. What brought you from Minsk to the West Coast of the U.S. for this album?
Yahor Shkutko: Moving to Los Angeles was not only a step forward in terms of musical opportunities but also a challenge for us. We were seeking new sources of inspiration and a space for experimentation, and Los Angeles provided that freedom. This place helped us reassess our creativity and bring fresh ideas into the process of making music.
AS: How did Belaya Polosa start piecing together after Monument?
Raman Kamahortsau: Some songs started to take shape after Monument. Ideas for some tracks were born during our European tour. The work on Belaya Polosa spanned four years, starting right after Monument and continuing until we moved to Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, we finally dove into recording in the studio, combining all the ideas into a cohesive whole.
AS: Did the songwriting come together in the same way for Belaya Polosa as it did on Monument, or earlier on with your 2017 debut? Was it different, or more collaborative, this time around?
Pavel Kozlov: The process of creating songs for Belaya Polosa was diverse. Some ideas were fully formed, while others came out of jam sessions. We experimented with ideas, and many of them evolved into tracks. While the songwriting process was more dispersed, the studio work was a collective effort and more organized.
AS: So much has happened within the past four years since Monument. As you spent more time with these new songs, what did they start to reveal—lyrically, emotionally?
RK: As we delved into the writing process, the songs started to take on more emotional maturity. There is a lot of reflection on change in the lyrics—about what we leave behind and what lies ahead. This theme became central to many tracks on the album.
AS: Take us through some of the tracks: “Ty Zhe Ne Znaesh Kto Ya” and “Kolesom,” the title track, “Beznadezhniy Waltz,” or any others where there was a significant connection for you.
YS: Ty Zhe Ne Znaesh Kto Ya is about inner conflict and the search for understanding. The title track, “Belaya Polosa,” symbolizes bright moments after tough times, while “Kolesom” is about the cyclical nature of life. As for the other tracks, we prefer to leave their interpretation up to the listeners. Telling the full meaning of the songs can sometimes rob listeners of their personal resonance with them. We believe everyone can find something personal in these songs.
[RELATED: Molchat Doma Reimagine ‘80s Cold Wave On ‘Monument’]
AS: “Son” talks about leaving the familiar for the unknown. Does this still reference how you feel now? Is the band still based in Los Angeles?
PK: “Son” reflects feelings of anxiety and uncertainty when facing new circumstances. It’s about personal experiences of what lies ahead and the fear of the unknown. While we’ve settled in Los Angeles, these themes are still relevant to us, especially in the context of living and creating in a new place.
AS: Why did you land on the title Belaya Polosa?
YS: Belaya Polosa symbolizes bright moments in life after difficult times. It’s a metaphor for how periods of good fortune follow challenging experiences. The title perfectly reflects the album’s overall theme.
AS: There’s a different sonic slant to this album, compared to your past releases. What were you hoping to capture on Belaya Polosa?
RK: With Belaya Polosa, we aimed for a new sonic direction that sets it apart from our previous work. This reflects our growth both musically and personally. We’re maturing, and this sound captures our desire for a higher quality of sound. We wanted to grow as musicians and become more professional. This album is the result of our musical and personal development and a step toward achieving new heights in professionalism.
AS: Though it was only seven years ago, it seems like your debut, S krish nashih domov (2017), was released at another time and place. How do these songs resonate with you now?
PK: These songs will always be an important part of our history. They represent a stage in our lives when we were in a different emotional state, and they still resonate with us, but from the perspective of experience and growth.
AS: What’s next for the band?
YS: There’s a lot in store for us, and first and foremost, we’re preparing for major world tours. We have long-awaited meetings with our listeners from all over the globe, and we can’t wait for these moments. We hope to continue surprising our listeners, expanding our musical horizons, and bringing something new to each performance.
Photos: Alina Pasok and Karim Belkasem
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