Omar Souleyman Gets Four Tet, Modeselektor for 'Bahdeni Nami' LP

BY Sarah MurphyPublished Mar 26, 2015

Syrian electro-folk musician Omar Souleyman has announced plans for the follow-up full-length to 2013's Wenu Wenu.
 
The new record is titled Bahdeni Nami and it's slated to arrive on July 28 via Modeselektor's Monkeytown label.
 
It's a move that makes sense since Modeselektor is amongst the high-profile producers that contributed to the album. Four Tet and Gilles Peterson also receive producer credits, while a remix by Legowelt made the record as well. A remix from Black Lips' Cole Alexander is expected to be released on a 7-inch single in August.

The material was recorded in Instanbul, and according to a press release, the lyrics tackle familiar themes of "declarations of eternal love" and "consolation of one's aching heart." It goes on to say, "Despite the world's insistence to associate him with his home country's unending war, Omar gives back nothing but love."
 
In a statement about Monkeytown signing Souleyman, Modeselektor said:
 
They say that we, Modeselektor, play at an awful lot of parties. Omar Souleyman has sung at a very, very large number of parties — wedding parties. We reckon that fits! The coolest man on the planet threw the wedding bouquet our way and we had no choice but to catch it. Welcome to the Monkeytown family!
 
In addition to news of the forthcoming album, the singer has unveiled lead single "Enssa El Aatab." Clocking in at nearly 10 minutes, the track was produced by Modeselektor and features an eclectic mix of traditional Syrian folk sounds and electronic experimentation.
 
Finally, Souleyman has revealed plans for a world tour that includes stops in Halifax on May 21 and Toronto on June 12. See the full list of dates below, and scroll past the upcoming concerts to hear the aforementioned new song.

Tour dates:

03/26 Boise, ID - Treefort Music Festival
03/27 Athens, GA - Slingshot Festival
03/28 Knoxville, TN - Big Ears Festival
05/21 Halifax, NS - Obey Convention 8
05/22 New York, NY - Le Poisson Rouge
05/23 Los Angeles, CA - Jewels Catch One
05/30 Bristol, United Kingdom - Colston Hall
06/06 Copenhagen, Denmark - Distortion Festival
06/12 Toronto, ON - Bestival Toronto
06/26 Beuningen, Netherlands - Down The Rabbit Hole
07/11 Trencin, Slovakia - Pohoda Festival
07/16 Dour, Belgium - Dour Festival
 

 
 

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