Malayeen
Malayeen [12-inch; Discrepant]

Albums like Malayeen’s self-titled effort have a way of re-configuring your expectations for audio going forward. You could a) Go on living your life as you are, vaguely fulfilled, or b) free yourself from the shackles of your favorite genre and learn something about yourself you didn’t know. For example: I didn’t realize I could so easily acquire a taste for Lebanese musics, much less Lebanese musics inspired by (or derived from interpretations of) Egyptian guitarist Omar Khorshid’s large body of work. Yet there it is, a new habit formed, a fresh affinity for hand-drums, modal guitars, and quirky keyboards developed. I’ve reviewed a lot of music from around the world for TMT, but rarely has actual World music crossed my desk, so when it does I’m always hankerin’ to tell you about it. Doubly so when it’s as exploratory as Malayeen, an album that cares not for any road that would have it as a driver, nor genre that would have it as a micro (strike my reference to ‘World music’ earlier). As much as I keep reading about Khorshid’s influence on this project, my ear instantly wraps around the synths for some reason. They’re hypnotic and swirly, like a zebra-striped Abba Zabba spinning taffy laps around the globe. Once again: Pleasure doing business with you, Discrepant.

Links: Discrepant

Cerberus

Cerberus seeks to document the spate of home recorders and backyard labels pressing limited-run LPs, 7-inches, cassettes, and objet d’art with unique packaging and unknown sound. We love everything about the overlooked or unappreciated. If you feel you fit such a category, email us here.

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