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Iran / Czech Republic: The Entropies –“Chonan Mastam”
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. The Entropies...
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Tunisia: Joujma –“Ala Hallet ‘Aini”
One of the shortest, but also one of the most intense songs we heard recently, “Ala Hallet ‘Aini” comes off the soundtrack of the French-produced, by Tunisia-based movie “As I Open My Eyes“. While the...
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Jordan: Arabs With Synthesizers –“Nabd”
Based in Amman, Jordan, Arabs With Synthesizers are carving a sonic space out for themselves on SoundCloud with several releases including original productions, mixtapes, and remixes. The electronic...
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Israel: Erez –“Proper Lady”
Produced by Ori Winokur, Erez Sivan’s ‘s debut album sounds like nothing last year. It’s strong but delicate arrangements leave the singer enough space to show her incredible talent, and especially her...
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Jordan: El Morabba3 –“el Mokhtalifeen”
Founded by Jordanian songwriter and singer Muhammad Abdullah about 8 years ago, the trio El-Morabba3 (المربّع) have been constantly breaking boundaries of places and genres to deliver their very own...
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United Arab Emirates: Within You Without You (WYWY)
Dubai-based duo Within You Without You (WYWY) have only released two singles yet. But you can hear they’ve already found their own sound, which is a surprisingly clear amalgam of quite broad...
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Lebanon: Who Killed Bruce Lee –“Born Addicted”
Who Killed Bruce Lee are a Lebanese quartet presently based in Germany where they’re busy cooking their upcoming album. Known for their killer grooves and catchy riffs, the four bearded dudes from...
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Norway: Farida –“Solo Ride”
Norwegian newcomer Farida made some stir a few weeks ago with her debut single “Three Weeks“. Now she takes us on another R’n’B trip, “Solo Ride”. In her first track, the young Scandinavian...
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Tunisia: Emel Mathlouthi –“Ensen Dhaif”
Emel Mathlouthi is a bad ass. Even before 2010, her music was banned from radio and TV due to her dissident songs and growing popularity. Despite this, her track “Kelmti Horra” went viral online during...
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Lebanon: Michelle & Noel Keserwany –“Zaffatleh El Tarik”
You don’t have to speak the language to catch the wittiness behind Lebanese sisters Michelle & Noel Keserwany, who recently released the video for their single “Zaffatleh El Tarik”, or “He paved my...
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Morocco: Tawargit –“Elulu”
A hidden gem, Moroccan band Tawargit – or “The Dream” in English – are five young musicians from Tangier portraying their Amazighi identity through music. 2011 saw them come together to release their...
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Tarabband –“Ashofak Baden”
Tarabband’s 2012 debut album “Ya Sidi” was a sensation to anyone who loves to cross music genres and time barriers. Their new album, “Ashofak Baden”, deserves as much hype. The Malmö-based group...
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Egypt: Massar Egbari –“Cheerophobia”
Alexandrian veterans Massar Egbari (مسار إجباري) are one of the longest lasting underground bands, not only in the Egyptian but also the Middle Eastern scene. Actively involved for the past 10 years...
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Israel: Ninet Tayeb –“Superstar” / “Child” / “Parachute”
With three singles already out, we can safely expect Ninet Tayeb’s third album will be one of 2016’s liveliest rock records not only in Israel. An already acclaimed artist in the Israeli scene, Ninet...
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Israel: Sivan Talmor –“Fire”
Listening to the single “I’ll Be” by Sivan Talmor raises two significant feelings. First, you might be thinking you are listening to Joni Mitchell or Janis Ian. And secondly, you will get the sense it...
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Egypt: Salalem (سلالم) –“Nefsi”
Alternative Egyptian sextet Salalem (سلالم) come back with an accessible yet imaginative single “Nefsi”. The Cairo-based group have been around for more than decade. During that time they’ve developed...
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Israel: Neomi Hashmonay –“8 Lines”
Up-and-coming Israeli singer-songwriter Neomi Hashmonay (נעמי חשמונאי) recently gave us a fascinating debut album, “8 Lines”, recorded with a group of talented local musicians. On her first effort,...
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Yemen / Germany: Kabreet –“Momken Bokra”
Berlin-based Yemeni-German duo of Ibi Ibrahim and Hanno Stecher have successfully crowfunded their debut album, “Momken Bokra”, which came out at the beginning of this year. The band combines Arabic...
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Interview: Gal De Paz (The Paz Band) – Israel
It is quite difficult nowadays to find a rock band in the Israeli indie scene that actually makes it through. And although many alternative groups take their inspiration from rock, The Paz Band stick...
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Egypt: Aqsa Alwasat
Alexandra-based duo Aqsa Alwasat (أقصى الوسط) have been combining Arabic words with folk and all kinds of contemporary influences for three years now. And they keep getting better and better at it....
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