The weather is heating up, and so are the region’s latest releases. From pop to dance to grime, we round up four of the latest singles to hit the digital shelves in the Middle East.
Hadi – Sun Will Rise
This nasally electro-rock tune from Hadi is already a summer favourite for us. It works on every level. Hadi’s voice is rich and captivating, inching high and dipping low, lending itself perfectly to the charged lullaby quality of the song. The result is a dusky, addictive ride that lulls you into a false serenity before taking you on a muddied trip of instrumentals.
Hadi Sarieddine, known professionally by his mononym, is a Lebanese singer-songwriter. He describes Sun Will Rise as “a song about having faith. When you feel like you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, and start doubting yourself, wondering whether you belong or if you’re doing the right thing.” (If you like what you hear, a sped-up Shaun Warner remix of the track is out, too.)
Zirra – Payphone
UAE-based Nigerian singer-songwriter Zirra teams up with British rapper Malik and Iranian-Filipino artist Izzy on his risque sophomore single, Payphone. The global trio bring together a smooth mix of grime, hip-hop and R’n’B on this catchy mid-tempo track, which was recorded in Dubai.
Zirra’s sound fits seamlessly into today’s hit-making landscape, and would look right at home next to The Weeknd or Fetty Wap.
The singer-songwriter is inspired by Peter Tosh, Fela Kuti, Lagbaja and Kid Cudi, and has lived around the world — from his hometown of Lagos to Houston, Manchester and, most recently, Dubai. In February, he released his first single Agbada. He’s currently working on his self-titled debut album.
Ahzee ft. Gohary – Beybosso
Ahzee and Gohary come together on this contemporary Arabic-language electro-dance track that’s sure to split listeners. Fans of classic Arabic pop may switch to a throwback radio station instead. But a newer generation of listeners, raised on a saturated diet of EDM hits, will get hooked on this catchy, Daft Punk-esque single, which addresses people’s unwanted stares (‘beybosso’ translates to ‘they look’).
Gohary, born Sarah Al Gohary, is an Egyptian singer-songwriter. Ahzee, born in Guyana, has released his debut album, Addict.
Jimi & the Saint – Helleni
There’s something therapeutic about listening to Helleni, the latest mellow pop-rock track from Jimi & the Saint, steeped in nostalgia. Expertly produced, Helleni sounds like Weezer meets the Beatles, building to a gradual wail of guitars and layered vocal work that will have you instantly hit the repeat button. Helleni has us curious to hear what’s next from the boys.
Jimi & the Saint are a Cairo-based duo; Jimi Al Gohary is Sarah Al Gohary’s brother, and the two used to be in a band together before embarking on separate musical journeys.
