Delving even more deeply into the Arab underground music scene, we have managed to put together a second round of our initial indie playlist, discovering some truly awe-inspiring musicians in the process.
These artists are everything the independent music industry is about; they are gifted, expressive, imaginative, blatant and, above all, not a carbon copy of each other. Each has their own distinctive style.
Prepare yourself for some positive, optimistic vibes accompanied by a whole load of genuine talent:
Alaa Wardi
Originally Iranian, Alaa’s actually the product of a mixture of Arab cultures, having lived in Saudi Arabia and Jordan. This blend of muses can be heard in his amazingly mellow tunes that feature his own quite velvety vocals, alongside the strums and alternative beats of the Hayajan band members.
Hany Mustafa
The acoustic guitar is basically the epitome of all indie muses, and that’s exactly what makes Hany an exceptional Egyptian indie act, alongside his rich, goosebump-inducing vocals and lyrical talent. A personal favourite of ours is EP September, which tops our go-to stress-freeing playlist.
Akher Zapheer
This Jordanian foursome definitely reminds us of Radiohead with their indie, alternative vibes. Their hit single “Akherto Lahen Hazeen” is one we have admittedly played over and over again, and remains perhaps one of the catchiest indie tunes we’ve heard in a while. Their lyrics are extremely relatable and blunt, in ways we cannot really begin to describe.
Shady Ahmed
With a sound that can be classified as a refreshing fusion of genres that range from rock to soul, Shady’s an Egyptian talent to watch out for. His integration of unique instruments, such as the ukulele in “California”, in some of his tunes makes him all the more exceptional. He also records his own original tracks alongside covers of other artists.
Tania Saleh
This Lebanese underground artist seems to hold a certain melancholy in her voice, which makes it all the more softer and extraordinarily soothing. With four albums under her belt, she is by no means new to the scene, yet her constantly evolving sound is timeless.
Egoz
An Egyptian band that definitely satisfies all the rock cravings we ever get. Their sound somehow manages to draw some acapella influences and merge them with their signature new wave rock n’ roll style. Their own original tracks, including “Temple of Small Things” which draws some subtle oriental muses, as well as their innovative covers are all worth a listen.
Taraband
With a an Iraqi/Egyptian lead vocalist, Taraband, which was originally formed in Sweden, draws heavily from Arab influences, which can easily be heard in all its songs. The lyrics depict a lot of nostalgia and homesickness as they tell stories of struggle and survival in the most beautiful sense. The true diversity that’s found in Taraband’s beats is unlike anything we’ve ever heard before/ Give them a listen and see for yourself.
Dina El Wedidi
This daring young Egyptian artist’s unapologetic lyrics and beautifully sharp vocals make her quite a joy to listen to. Her sound can definitely has direct oriental influences, as she stays true to her Middle Eastern heritage.
Massar Egbari
This one’s a politically-charged Alexandrian band that does not shy away from audaciously tackling societal issues. Formed of five members, Massar Egbary has been making its voice heard since 2005 by releasing many successful singles and a full-on album, and has managed to gain quite a remarkable fan base.
Maryam Saleh
The best way we can describe this eccentric artist is: a chilling combination of the classic with the unheard. She somehow manages to merge the piano with over-the-top, statement vocals, making us doff our hats to her creativity.
As always, independent Arab artists seem to have yet again restored our faith in the Arab music industry, by proving that mass-produced, auto-tuned music is not all that it has to offer. The true creativity as well as passion they seem to present with every beat they play and every word they utter is truly extraordinary.
WE SAID THIS: Don’t miss 9 Indie Arab Artists You Should Be Listening To.