Молчи

Kis-kis' song 'Молчи' (translated as 'Be Silent') delves into the harsh realities and emotional turmoil of growing up in a bleak, urban environment. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a life surrounded by despair, addiction, and domestic violence. The repeated refrain, 'molchi, kogda bukhoy sosed na svoyu telku krichit' ('be silent when the drunk neighbor yells at his girl'), underscores a sense of helplessness and resignation. This line, along with others describing drug use and emergency medical visits, highlights the pervasive sense of danger and instability in the narrator's surroundings.

The song's verses reveal the narrator's internal struggle and yearning for escape. They describe collecting their thoughts in a room, feeling the weight of their bitter experiences, and viewing the world through the 'prism of glass bottles.' This metaphor suggests a life distorted by alcohol and possibly other substances, where the streets seem endless and the buildings resemble tombs. The narrator's friends are depicted as wasting their youth in stairwells, characterized by reckless behavior and naive desires. The home, which should be a place of comfort, is instead a source of consumption and loss, leading the narrator to advise looking down and not listening, as a means of coping.

The desire for a better future is a recurring theme. The narrator expresses fear that nothing will ever change for them, yet they hold onto the hope of growing up and leaving their current environment behind. They acknowledge that happiness cannot be found where they are, and no one can keep them there. The song ends on a note of defiance and determination, despite the suffocating atmosphere. The repeated refrain serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle, but also as a declaration that their song, their voice, will continue to be heard.