Wenu Wenu

First studio album from a man who has released 500+ live albums in his native Syria. Souleyman has become famous for bringing his electrified dabke music to weddings throughout his home country, and in the last several years he’s built up a sizable international audience. This recording features keyboardist Rizan Sai’d (whose solos are jaw-dropping) and producer Kieran Hebden (Four Tet). All of these are songs about love—unrequited love, marriage, and anywhere in between. Heavy, hypnotizing, intense—puts most modern dance music to shame. Play all/any. No FCCs.

1. (7:01)—Mid-tempo. Banging beat, looped shouting. “Where is she? Who kills with her beautiful eyes.”
2. (4:29)—Fast, airy. “I beg you mother to let me go and see my darling.”
3. (5:32)—Mid-tempo. Darker, looser sound. “You’re like a high hill that every time I climb I count my steps.”
4. (5:12)—Medium-slow, kind of R&B. Reworking of Souleyman’s big hit. “We came to you to ask for the hand of your daughter in marriage.”
5. (6:53)—Fast, trippy beat. Traditional Kurdish song. Extended intro. Super catchy vocal part. “You can have me and my love easily.”
6. (4:19)—Slow. Heavy beat. Slow-burning tension to this. Vocal improvisation. “He buried the pain in my heart but did not bury me.”
7. (6:21)—Mid-tempo, subdued. Jawdropping keyboard solo. “We’ve been neighbors in the same village for years.”