Belighted
Belighted builds a detailed musical world around Gleb Kolyadin's piano and Marjana Semkina's voice. Iamthemorning combine classical influences, folk colours and occasional heavier guitar passages without making those elements compete for attention. The arrangements can be elaborate, but their appeal depends on small changes of texture and melody as much as on the skill behind them.
The Howler provides an early surprise. After the brief opening, guitars and active bass give the music a stronger attack. Semkina's singing keeps a clear melodic presence as the performance becomes heavier. The contrast broadens the album without replacing the more delicate character at its centre.
Romance takes a gentler route through its waltz-like movement and expressive vocal line. The piano and strings give the song a rich setting, but there is still room around the voice. Semkina can sound light and unguarded while retaining enough strength to guide the changing arrangement.
Crowded Corridors develops on a larger scale. Harp and quieter singing create an atmospheric opening before the piano leads the music towards more varied instrumental passages with folk-influenced rhythms.
The shorter intermissions are important to the record's shape too. They create pauses between the larger songs, allowing different instrumental colours to come forward. Intermission XII is especially effective, with cello and piano making a substantial impression inside a small space.
5/4 brings a brighter rhythmic character, with changing patterns giving the tune another kind of lift. The Simple Story is more direct in its melodic approach, although it still avoids making its appeal depend entirely on an obvious repeated chorus.
The music often reveals its ideas gradually, so it is less immediate than a set of straightforward rock songs. That patience is worthwhile. Belighted has strong melodies, careful arrangements and an expressive relationship between its two main performers. It is an inviting meeting of piano-led music and progressive rock, with enough detail to sustain its gentler approach.
