News DeskDubai, UAE – Toronto-based Syrian/Lebanese musical duo Kazdoura delves into the emotional complexities of being an immigrant with their new single, ‘Khayal.’ The song addresses the ‘shadow existence’ of immigrants, characterized by haunting memories of war and displacement, contrasted with the challenges of forming a new identity in their host country.
In ‘Khayal,’ Kazdoura paints a vivid picture of an immigrant’s emotional turmoil through evocative lyrics and a neo-psychedelic Middle Eastern sound. Drawing influence from the vibrant Turkish rock scene of the 1960s and 1970s, the track features a groovy bass line, Middle Eastern guitar, electric sitar, synths, and soulful saxophone, accompanied by enchanting vocal melodies in Syrian Arabic.
The band, formed in the summer of 2020 by Syrian singer and songwriter Leen Hamo and versatile jazz-trained Lebanese multi-instrumentalist Johnny Abou Chacra, has gained recognition for their unique blend of Arabic fusion with jazz, funk, soul, and trip-hop. Kazdoura’s music seamlessly combines nostalgia with reinvention.
Leen Hamo, who often draws from personal experiences for her lyrics, captures the immigrant experience in ‘Khayal.’ She explains, “Those of us who had to leave our home country in the shadow of war are burdened by loss, loss that is far from one-dimensional; it is a loss of home, of community, of culture, of country, indeed, a loss of self and identity. Going by the feedback so far, we have successfully conveyed this to our audience, making for a shared emotional experience, which is, after all, what music is all about.”
Kazdoura released their debut EP ‘Wain’ in June 2022, which received support from major radio stations across North America, including CBC, CUIT, CKUA, and the Tracks from Abroad Podcast. The group is currently working on a new album, expected to be released in March 2025.
