The Damned Don’t Cry
Asadun Alay, 2024
8/10
Listen to The Damned Don’t Cry
The Cairo resident, composer, producer and vocalist Nadah El Shazly pens the soundtrack to a film by Fyzal Boulifa, where 12 worldly tracks flow with much richness and diversity.
“Claustrophobic Love” starts the listen, and uses Nicolas Royer-Artuso’s well timed violin amid the haunting electronics for a mysterious mood, and “Fight With Auntie” follows with Jonah Fortune’s low bass that suits the darker textures of the 69 seconds of exploration.
Further along, “Mausoleum” radiates Sarah Pagé’s dreamy harp for a very pretty demeanor, while “Adi” manipulates space and tension with sublime minimalism via Shazly’s gorgeous singing.
Arriving close to the end, “Haircut” carries a distinct dreaminess that blends the strings with a poetic mood of grace, and “End Credit” exits with the harp and violin interacting in a stirring fashion that incorporates a light buzzing.
An atypical chamber experience that balances organic versus synthetic gestures, every moment here is sonically engaging, unpredictable and unconventional.
Travels well with: Farah Kaddour- Badā; Ruiqi Wang- Subduing The Silence