The poet laureate trip hop Tunisian voice of the Arab Spring Emel Mathlouthi, whose “Kelmti Horra (My Word Is Free)” was the theme to the uprising that upended the Arab World and is still shaking out: her pro-democracy songs has since forced herto live in France since 2007.
Today, Mathlouthi makes her second New York City performance in as many years. In 2013 Jon Parales in the New York Times wrote “Her concert offered resolve and compassion, not stridency. She introduced songs in English: a homage to “people who fought for our freedom,” a song against fear, a song called “Dhalem” (“Tyrant”) that vowed, “Kill me, and I will write songs.” Each one was a musical narrative, unfolding in multiple sections, moving between delicacy and fierce tenacity, mourning and defiance.”
Sounds cool right? This is emel’s PR stuff
“Firebrand Tunisian singer, songwriter, and composer Emel Mathlouthi stands with the great divas of the Arab World but has also inherited the legacy of protest singers from the ’60s. She gained attention when her song “Kelmti Horra (My Word is Free)” was adopted by the Arab Spring revolutionaries on the streets of Tunis and soon became an anthem throughout the regions. Mathlouthi’s gorgeous, intricate sound moves between rock (she plays guitar and cites Joan Baez as an influence), trip-hop (she has collaborated with Tricky), and electronica, with a strong Arabic music connection. Her intimate songs express love, suffering, and longing for home, in a deeply confessional style verging on sacred Sufi music.”
I am, obviously, quite familiar with Arabic pop and this sounds less like Trip Hop goes to Palestine, and more like The Weeknd or maybe I mean Lorde with all the electronica going on, meets Fairuz and it is very very good.
Tonights show, at 365 5th Avenue (between 34th and 35th Street) is nearly sold out though if there are any tickets you can get em here
