Molodost', Part 1 by LIZER (which translates to Youth, Part 1) is an album released on the 22th October 2020 with a total of 9 tracks. Lizer is a young, 22 year old, Russian singer and rapper. His real name is Arsen Magomadov and Molodost’ is his 7th album.
The photographer of the album cover was Alina Pasok (she was also the director for the music videos of a couple of songs from the album). Alina is a 30 year old music video director, producer and creative director of the music group Little Big. After graduating with a photography degree she found a bigger passion and interest in videography, but still does some photography works from time to time like she did for Lizer’s album. Throughout her career, the photographer worked with various big names in the music industry in Russia like Hleb, Feduk, LSP, The Hatters, Eljay, Basta, and more.
Alina Pasok and Lizer have already worked together on past album covers and music videos,since they work for the same label “Warner Music Group.
The album cover is a pretty direct representation of the overall album theme, which consists of Lizer’s reflections on his childhood, youth/teenage years and the process of growing up. In this album the artist speaks to people in their youth/teenage years in a simple way and discusses: how sometimes difficulties that someone encounters in the real adult world can make them want to return to theirchildhood, about the fear of being a failure in your family’s eyes, about lost friendships and more. As examples of lyrics that relate to the album cover, I will be looking at the songs Grew Up Quickly and To Figure Out.
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Grew Up Quickly (selected parts, not the full song)
Here it is - adulthood
Problems change, everything around takes on a new color
A boy has to make money
A boy has to deal with all the problems on his own
But I'll go through it myself, I chose the hardest path
I don’t know what’s right, but I know for sure that I’ll get through
Even in total darkness I can see my guiding star
And nothing can put out my spark anymore
I'm leaving my home
Let this world burn with fire
Who told you it would be easy?
I grew up quickly ...
Every day seemed endless, and now you're in your twenties
It seems like I graduated from university, but my soul has a dull sediment
All groups of friends disperse in all directions
My look at everything is completely different, who would have known, huh?
And childhood cannot be returned, although one wants to return to it
It's time to grow up​
This song talks about the coming of age period as well as the hardships and feelings during the transition to an independent life. Lizer talks about moving out of his home and family, leaving his childhood self behind without looking back and we see this reflected on the cover photo. The apartment building and the group of people behind the singer refer to acceptance of that stage of life to be finished and left as good memories. The singer encourages the listeners to pursue their dreams and ambitions, while reminding that life will not be easy, which is why on the picture he’s looking forward (into the future). Also he literally sings “Let this world burn with fire”, which is directly depicted on the album cover.
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To Figure Out (selected parts, not the full song)
Sometimes it happens that you have lost everything.
And you have absolutely nowhere to go.
Only those who you always trusted let you down.
Who is my enemy and who is my friend?
And how to figure it out
Where is the lie, where is the truth.
When you are young, everything it's so incomprehensible
Always stepping on the same rake
And no one will say what you will be tomorrow
How long do we have to go, and where does fate lead?
When this whole world is half of lies?
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​This song reflects on the problems and negative feelings that occur in life. Lizer talks about finding himself lonely, without support and confused in front of the unknown future. This storyline can also be sensed in the album cover. The burning empty house and friend group behind can mean that he lost those things and now is alone, left with fear and uncertainty. While listening to this song, the cover art seems more sad and lonely rather than nostalgic and somewhat motivating, like with the first song.
I have heard a couple of songs from Molodost’ way before seeing the cover art work. I really liked the music, lyrics and vibe of the songs. When I saw the album cover, on the other hand, at first glance I did not particularly see the songs reflected in the photo. The house on fire looked somewhat violent to me and reminded more of a rap album cover. Also I did not quite understand why there was a group of friends hanging out in front of the building and why the signer was distanced from them. However, after looking at more lyrics from the album and putting all the pieces together, it made more sense and connections to me.
I can say that I do connect with the lyrics, because Lizer talks about subjects that are quite relatable to the majority of people who are going or have gone through the process of maturing and getting thrown in the adult world filled with new obstacles. I relate with the feeling of uncertainty andfear for your future as well as the stress from the weight of new responsibilities. I appreciate that despite talking about his difficulties, Lizer motivates his listeners to keep moving and working hard.
Link to chosen songs:
Grew Up Quickly - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzhDO0L8l88
To Figure Out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-YVYJiqZMw