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Some albums find their audience slowly and then all at once. Etazhi, the second album from Belarusian trio Molchat Doma, is one of them. A record made by a young band from Minsk, sung entirely in Russian, became a calling card for a new generation of post-punk fans around the world. If you want one Molchat Doma record on your shelf, this is the one to get.
Who made it
Molchat Doma formed in Minsk, Belarus, in 2017. The name translates as "Houses Are Silent." The lineup is a trio: Egor Shkutko sings the Russian lyrics in a deep monotone, Roman Komogortsev handles guitar, synths and drum machine, and Pavel Kozlov plays bass and synths.
Etazhi, written in Cyrillic as Этажи and meaning "Floors," first came out in 2018 on Detriti Records, a label based in Berlin. It spread quickly online and turned into a genuine word of mouth phenomenon. Sacred Bones Records, the Brooklyn label known for dark and adventurous music, reissued it on March 27, 2020, under catalog number SBR3037.
What it sounds like
Sacred Bones places the band at the intersection of post-punk, new wave and synth pop, and that is a fair summary. Picture a drum machine ticking away like a factory clock, a bass line that carries the melody, thin chiming guitar and cold synth pads. Over it all sits Shkutko's low, flat voice, which sounds less like a singer performing and more like someone narrating from the far side of an empty room.
The mood is bleak, but the songs move. This is music you can dance to while feeling a little melancholy, which is exactly the balance that made the album travel so far beyond Belarus.
Here is the official track list:
- 1. Na Dne
- 2. Tancevat
- 3. Filmy
- 4. Volny
- 5. Toska
- 6. Prognoz
- 7. Sudno (Boris Ryzhy)
- 8. Kommersanty
- 9. Kletka
Why it still matters
Etazhi is proof that a regional record can become a global one without a big marketing push. The band's sound nods to the classic post-punk and new wave records that came before it, yet it never feels like a costume. The language barrier ends up working in its favor. Even if you do not speak Russian, the tone of the vocals tells you everything you need to know about the feeling behind the words.
It is also a short, focused album. Nine tracks, no filler, and a consistent mood from the first beat of Na Dne to the last notes of Kletka. That makes it an easy record to play from start to finish, which is exactly how it is best heard.
For a band that may still fly under the radar at home, the reach of this album is striking. Its label notes that the band has reached huge audiences across Europe and beyond, and Etazhi is the record that opened that door for a lot of new listeners.
How to listen
Etazhi sounds great on vinyl, where the bass and drum machine have room to breathe. Sacred Bones offers the album in several formats, including black vinyl, clear vinyl, CD, cassette and digital, with limited color pressings appearing over time. Play it loud enough that the bass line fills the room, and listen from start to finish rather than skipping around.
If you are new to the band, start with Sudno (Boris Ryzhy), then go back to the top and let the whole album run. Late night listening suits it best, ideally on a long drive or a walk through a quiet city.
Who it is for
Buy Etazhi if you love classic post-punk, cold synth records or dark music that still has a beat. It is also a great pick for vinyl collectors who want something modern that sits naturally next to older favorites.
Skip it if you need bright melodies or lyrics you can sing along to in English. This is an album built on mood, rhythm and atmosphere, and it rewards listeners who are happy to sink into all three.
More dark and danceable listening: our Sacred Bones starter guide, the Factory Records starter guide, the Mute Records starter guide and our pick of the best turntables for beginners. Browse the vinyl hub.
