MÖW presents Hayyah

Sabo’s record label, Sol Selectas presents a desert dwelling organic house release by MÖW, which also features a remix from Hot Oasis.

MÖW is an Egyptian artist from Cairo who is back on Sol Selectas after contributing to the label’s Summer Sol VIII compilation. This time MÖW is back with three original tracks that combine traditional instruments and ancient melodies with modern electronic sounds. In addition to Sol Selectas, his music can also be found on other respected imprints such as Cosmic Awakenings, Pipe & Pochet, and Harabe.

On remix duty, Hot Oasis is a Sol Selectas regular whose compelling style of organic house fuses sun-drenched melodies and chugging rhythms with Arabic influences. His music has been a feature of labels ranging from Bar 25 to Stil Vor Talent, and he travels the world as a headline DJ.

The EP’s title track “Hayyah” opens the release with an instrumental intro played on a Mizmir Baladi, which is a traditional Egyptian instrument. The track has powerful vocals by Nass Makan that are layered over a throbbing bassline and shuffling drums.

Next up, “Ya Habayeb” is a powerful track utilising the oriental “bayat” scale, which is played using traditional instruments including the Zurna, Oud, Duff, Riq, and Tabla. The defining element is the emotive male vocal and upbeat percussion that give this track a joyous vibe.

Hot Oasis’ remix of “Ya Habayeb” is true to the original, but with an altered structure that refines the track for a dance floor. He also adds some additional synths to give the track some indie dance undertones.

Closing the release, “Disco Saba” makes use of the traditional “Saba” scale that is at the heart of Arabic folk-law. The arpeggio synth that is central to the track creates upbeat energy that’s augmented by melodies played on Zurna and Mizmir instruments. The track’s powerful drums subside for the tension of the epic breakdown, before the groove takes flight with renewed vigour.

The artwork by Helia Jamali takes us through the lucid dreamscape of the pyramids, where the serpents dance in the sand and the blue lotus flower blossoms.

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