If the music of Liraz makes you confused at the first listen, that’s actually the very right effect of her bewildering performances.
Iran
Lebanese producer and multi-instrumentalist Samer Etienne Chami also known as Etyen recently teamed up with Iranian-American violinist and singer Saideh Eftekhari for what’s turned out to be one of the most captivating and original instrumental songs we’ve heard this year yet.
It’s been more than 10 years since Iranian singer and poet Shahin Najafi had to leave his home for political reasons and flee to Germany. But he remains one of Iran’s most prolific and singular voices.
Oriental guitar riffs, European folk fiddle-melodies, fatten distorted bass-lines played by a cello and energetic drum patterns all along lyrics by Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet.
Coming form Iran and singing in Persian, the singer, poet and composer Aida Shahghasemi is currently based in the US where she continues to explore her cultural heritage in a respectful, but revealing way.
Rotterdam-based singer Sevdaliza made this utterly beautiful new track “Marilyn Monroe” with her go-to producer Mucky. We’ve never heard the Iranian-born artist this vulnerable before. The hazy and minimal production reminds us of the likes of FKA twigs and BANKS.
Calling their new single with the band’s name, the Iranian group Fazanavardan seems to declare what matters in music most for them. And we’re happy to agree.