To Syria, With Love
Given the involvement of Diplo’s Mad Decent label, it’s tempting to listen for an increased focus on electronic sounds on Omar Souleyman’s *To Syria, with Love*: Is that a hint of a house beat bubbling beneath the whoops and synth riffs of “Khayen”? In fact, Syria’s most famous wedding singer is still doing what he does best: driving, upbeat jams (“Ya Boul Habari”), midtempo cuts (“Chobi”), and mournful ballads (“Mawal”), all suffused with hypnotic Middle Eastern scales and the singer’s gruff, bittersweet, incomparably expressive voice.
The latest from Syria’s Omar Souleyman comes via the Mad Decent label, making him labelmates with the likes of Major Lazer and Riff Raff. He works with producer Hasan Alo for a sleek, hypnotic sound.
The latest from Syria’s Omar Souleyman comes via the Mad Decent label, making him labelmates with the likes of Major Lazer and Riff Raff. He works with producer Hasan Alo for a sleek, hypnotic sound.
Omar Souleyman's 503rd (ish) album is a love letter to his homeland of Syria - but not at all as bleak as you'd expect that to sound.
Omar Souleyman's 503rd (ish) album is a love letter to his homeland of Syria - but not at all as bleak as you'd expect that to sound.