Year in review: The best Arabic alternative albums of 2023 

In her first solo studio effort, singer and composer Mayssa Jallad (Safar) chronicles the Lebanese Civil War, taking the listener on a journey across the five-month period between October 1975 and March 1976. (Supplied)
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Updated 29 December 2023
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Year in review: The best Arabic alternative albums of 2023 

  • From groundbreaking Saudi hip-hop to a Lebanese supergroup, Bojan Preradovic picks the year’s best records from the region’s alternative scene 

‘Aykathani Malakon’ 

 

 

SANAM  

Beirut-based producer Fadi Tabbal’s Tunefork Studios has given rise to many a thrilling regional act, but SANAM are probably the first that truly resemble a supergroup. The sextet includes singer, actor and audio-visual artist Sandy Chamoun, accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Anthony Sahyoun, bassist and songwriter Antonio Hajj (Tamara Qaddoumi, OVIID), guitarist Marwan Tohme and drummer Pascal Semerdjian of Lebanon’s dream pop luminaries Postcards, and buzuk player and composer Farah Kaddour. The band define themselves as “a marriage and an exorcism of traditional Egyptian song/Arabic poetry and improvised rock, free jazz and noise”, a unique formula that saw them performing to sold-out venues on their recent European tour. Their debut LP is an absolute must-hear. 

‘Amrat’ 

 

 

Rasha Nahas   

Following her exceptional 2021 debut LP “Desert,” Palestinian singer and guitarist Rasha Nahas made the bold choice to release a record sung exclusively in Arabic. The results of the experiment are compelling: on “Amrat,” the Berlin-based artist not only retains her flair for powerful songwriting and impactful lyrics, but thrives in expressing herself in her native language, symbolically reclaiming her birthplace, Haifa, and the Palestinian identity at its heart through a fusion of skillfully crafted melodies and pristine, impassioned performances. Nahas continues to evolve, settling into a creative maturity that grows more impressive on every release. 

‘Under the Sun’ 

 

 

The Wanton Bishops   

2023 saw the triumphant reemergence of the Wanton Bishops, who dropped their first full-length record in almost a decade. On “Under the Sun,” frontman Nader Mansour maintains the confident turn in sound from the heavy influence of blues rock that dominated both the Bishops’ debut album and their early identity. Mansour doubles down on the use of Arabic-styled synth melodies and guitar riffs that he had begun to explore on the 2016 EP, “Nowhere Everywhere,” which feature most prominently on tracks such as lead single “We Are One.” The new record is a consistent and imposing comeback from one of the heavy hitters of the regional indie scene. 

‘WhimCycle’ 

 

 

Noush Like Sploosh  

UAE-based songwriter, visual artist and filmmaker Noush Anand — aka Noush Like Sploosh — recorded “WhimCycle” in Dubai 10 years ago. This year, she finally got over what she calls “creative shame” and set the record free. As an emblematic totem of the singer’s eclectic approach to her art, the album is a theatrical tour de force driven by Noush’s vocal energy, multi-instrumental guest performances and Joshua F. Williams’ sympathetic production. On standout tracks such as “3 Act Circus,” the strings ‘speak’ in a manner that is both entrancing and expressive. A genuine accomplishment and essential listening.  

‘Marjaa: The Battle Of The Hotels’ 

 

 

Mayssa Jallad  

In her first solo studio effort, singer and composer Mayssa Jallad (Safar) chronicles the Lebanese Civil War, taking the listener on a journey across the five-month period between October 1975 and March 1976. On every track, Jallad navigates the ethereal instrumentation with a vocal timbre and harmonies that are as spellbinding as they are haunting. The narratives of loss, division and displacement evoke the heartbreaking reality imposed on Beirut’s inhabitants, with the song titles serving as a chronological map constructed by the songwriter to mark key points in the armed clash spotlighted by the album. A moving, engaging piece that dexterously carves out its place in this year’s list. 

‘Metropolis’ 

 

 

Japan, Man 

Japan, Man is an unlikely pairing of Letty Acra, a Lebanese-English singer who started writing music at 14, and Julian Cassia (also known as Almost An Artist), her uncle and prolific composer, arranger, singer and multi-instrumentalist. The project began as a one-off single, “Stop Staring,” which garnered almost a million streams on Spotify, eventually blossoming into a six-track EP, “The Bad Days.” On the duo’s full-length debut, Acra entwines her husky, mellow vocal style and elegant falsetto with Cassia’s analogue and electronic instrumentals, enabling a seamless amalgam of sonic templates and influences. It’s a sweetly absorbing bedroom-pop account of the trials of teenagers in the 21st century. 

‘Batn Al-Shaer’ 

 

 

Moayad  

Saudi rapper, comedian and actor Moayad Alnefaie has a deep and longstanding passion for hip-hop and traditional Arabic poetry. On ‘Batn El Shaer’, he mines the common ground between the two artforms with immaculate wordplay and the profound linguistic heritage of the verses he deals out with surgical precision. He is the first hip-hop artist to sign with his MDLBEAST Records, giving the Saudi Arabia-based company its first foray into a broader, non-electronic music milieu. Moayad’s groundbreaking first record features his Palestinian-Jordanian peer — rapper, singer and lyricist The Synaptik — along with multidisciplinary artist Warchieff, among others. The rhyme virtuoso remains one to watch as he stirs up the regional hip-hop scene. 

‘Masrahiya’ 

 

 

Shkoon  

German-Syrian electronic music duo Shkoon complemented the release of their new concept LP, “Masrahiya” (‘theater play’ in Arabic), with the announcement of a 17-date tour starting at Egypt’s pyramids of Giza, and featuring stops in Riyadh, Beirut, Dubai, London, Amsterdam and Zurich. The record leans into the kind of storytelling that Shkoon have become famous for, distilled into three, distinct chapters — tragedy, politics and irony — and woven into an elaborate embroidery of elation and emotion. Shkoon sway effortlessly between tongue-in-cheek explorations of life's complexities to poignant homages to heritage and a sense of belonging, often traversing the frontier between reality and fiction. An act whose catalog and live performances are worth delving into at length.  

‘27’ 

 

 

ElGrandeToto  

The Moroccan rapper (real name Taha Fahsi) released his sophomore LP in 2023, further consolidating his status as one of his country’s most-popular artists following his triumphant 2021 debut album “Caméléon.”  Fahsi transmutes his recent personal and legal tribulations into “27” with both humility and poise while collaborating with eminent producers and other high-profile contributors to bring his vision to life. Through his finely tuned delivery of incisive rhymes and verses, ElGrandeToto scores yet another hit record and shows why he’s in the vanguard of Morocco’s most exciting musical exports. 


Princess Rajwa shows support in sporty style at World Cup qualifier

Updated 06 June 2025
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Princess Rajwa shows support in sporty style at World Cup qualifier

DUBAI: Princess Rajwa Al-Hussein of Jordan attended the AFC World Cup qualifier match between Jordan and Oman on Thursday, opting for a look that blended national pride with contemporary style.

The princess, who is of Saudi origin, wore the official home shirt of the Jordan national football team, featuring a white base with red collar and sleeve accents. She paired the jersey with Victoria Beckham’s structured pocket trousers in the “Sandstorm” shade, featuring a high-waisted silhouette with fine pinstripes and curved front pockets.

To accessorize, Princess Rajwa chose pieces from Bilarabiya Jewellery. She wore the brand’s “Abjad Hawaz” single earring and a custom necklace bearing the name of her daughter, Princess Iman, written in Arabic.

Princess Rajwa sat alongside Princess Iman and Princess Salma, the sisters of the crown prince, who were also dressed in the national team’s shirt. 

The Jordanian national team qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time in its history, following a decisive 3-0 victory over Oman.

Jordan secured its spot on the penultimate day of Asian qualifying for the tournament, which will be held in the US, Mexico and Canada.


Saudi artist Abdullah Al-Othman discusses work exploring linguistic architectural landscapes 

Updated 06 June 2025
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Saudi artist Abdullah Al-Othman discusses work exploring linguistic architectural landscapes 

DUBAI: In the Bawwaba section of the most recent edition of Art Dubai, Saudi artist Abdullah Al-Othman’s installation “Manifesto: Language & the City II” presented photographs and numerous illuminated signs and symbols in Arabic against two black walls, reflecting the urban signage one may find in Riyadh.  

The installation was an evolution of a series that includes 2021’s “Manifesto: the Language and the City,” a multimedia installation exploring the linguistic and architectural landscape of Riyadh for the inaugural Diriyah Contemporary Art Biennale, which went on to be included in the Lyon Biennale in 2022, and “Fantasy Land,” which Al-Othman created for the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival in 2021 — a neon wall installation exploring themes of human experience and the shifts between reality and illusion. 

Abdullah Al-Othman’s installation “Manifesto: Language & the City II” presented photographs and numerous illuminated signs and symbols in Arabic. (Supplied)

“Language & the City II” pulsed with light and color and the expressive characters of the Arabic language made the viewer feel as if they were indeed on a bustling street in the Saudi capital. “Language is akin to history — it’s very deep,” Al-Othman tells Arab News. “Through my research I realized how language is like a brand for a culture — it references history and people. I study the language that we find in cities. The documentation of language affects the architectural style in an urban environment and the relationship between people and their environment.”  

“Language & the City II” was made from a variety of materials, predominantly neon signage, lightboxes and wooden advertising signs that were once hung in the streets of Riyadh. Al-Othman’s installation brought them together to create a portrait of the city through its typographic, visual and architectural styles. 

Riyadh’s identity, explains Al-Othman, is revealed through the language, style and vibrant colors of these lit symbols, offering a collective memory of a city in the throes of change. 

Abdullah Al Othman at Art Dubai Manifesto Language and the City II for Bawwaba. (Courtesy Artist and Iris Projects. Credit Ismail Noor for Seeing Things)

As an artist and a poet, language has always played an important role in Al-Othman’s life. While he began as a writer, he arrived at a point where he could no longer fully express himself with words and turned to art, creating works that incorporate sound, found objects, sculpture, film and performance.  

In 2017’s “Suspended Al-Balad,” for the 21,39, contemporary art festival, Al-Othman wrapped an entire building in Jeddah’s historic Al-Balad district, originally used as a shelter for widows and divorced women, with tin foil.  

Al Othman’s intuitive approach to art creation leads him to organically move between and incorporate different mediums. Light is a significant element in his work, whether bouncing off tin foil or shining in neon to reflect the everyday urban environment of Riyadh.  

Pieces from Al-Othman's latest project, 'Engineering the Unknown.' (Supplied)

“I want to create journeys for people to discover the importance of language,” says Al-Othman. “Language is a deeply important part of being human.” 

Today Al-Othman continues to expand his research and art creation. He has recently published a book on his research supported by The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) and the Saudi Cultural Development Fund.  

Presently he is creating sculptures out of various Arabic words from made from different materials for his latest project, “Engineering the Incomplete.” 

“In my artistic practice, I engage with language as an open field for analysis and reconstruction,” he writes in his statement for the new project. “I begin from moments of absence — from missing letters and fractured words — treating them as signals of the fragility inherent in the symbolic systems we rely on to make sense of the world.  

Al-Othman's 'Manifesto - The Language & The City' at the 2022 Lyon Biennale. (Supplied)

“Failure to achieve perfection becomes an essential part of creation, not a flaw to be corrected,” he continues. “Incompleteness is not simply a void, but an active component that generates new, open-ended meanings. Each missing letter, each visual gap, forms an alternative path of reading and invites the viewer to reshape their relationship with language and the urban environment.” 

“Engineering the Incomplete” uses the structure of the letter as an entity capable of both disintegration and destruction and therefore the resulting text as something that is unstable and constantly changing.  

“My practice transforms language from a tool of communication into a material and temporal organism caught in the tension between structure and collapse,” Al-Othman adds. “Through material techniques that draw from urban elements and the reconfiguration of textual spaces, my work seeks to highlight the continuous tension between the desire for expression and the inherent limits of linguistic possibilities.” 

Al-Othman says that “Engineering the Incomplete” is not an attempt to restore what is lost, but an invitation to read absence, or lacking, as another form of presence and a new beginning. 

Incompleteness, he emphasizes, offers “a way to produce new meaning and vision.” 


Recipes for success: Chef Vincenzo Palermo offers advice and a spaghetti al pomodoro recipe 

Updated 06 June 2025
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Recipes for success: Chef Vincenzo Palermo offers advice and a spaghetti al pomodoro recipe 

DUBAI: Vincenzo Palermo, head pizza chef at TOTO Dubai, has built his career on one belief: “Pizza isn’t just comfort food, it’s a craft.”  

Originally from Apulia in southern Italy, Palermo has spent years refining his skills. His journey began early, watching the baking process in his family kitchen as a child. He went on to study at Rome’s API Pizza Academy.  

Over the past 14 years, his career has taken him from Italy to Russia, France, the US and now the UAE, with his pizzas earning international recognition and awards along the way — including a historic win as the youngest-ever World Champion of Neapolitan Pizza in 2018.  

Vincenzo Palermo is the head pizza chef at TOTO Dubai. (Supplied)

When you started out, what was the most common mistake you made? 

I believed that cooking was just about combining ingredients correctly and adhering strictly to techniques. My focus was on the mechanical aspects of executing everything “correctly,” but I didn’t always bring myself into the dish; that was my biggest mistake. 

Coming from a family where food was never just food — it was tradition, emotion, and memory — I learned discipline and focus. Over time, I realized that every dish must tell a story. It could be a childhood memory, a moment of celebration, or simply a feeling you want to share, but if you do not put your heart into it, then no matter how perfect the dish appears, it lacks soul. 

The kitchen is not just about skill and technique, it’s a place for passion. Food is a language, and love is the message. That is what I try to pass on now, both to my team and on every plate that leaves the kitchen. 

What’s your top tip for amateur chefs? 

My journey began in a very humble way. I was just a child when I first stepped into the kitchen, helping my mother, making my first pizzas and simple pastas with curiosity and joy. That passion never left me. So, my top tip is this: Do not underestimate yourself just because you are cooking at home. Get into the flow, cook with heart and love, and do not place limits on what you think is possible. Everything we create in a professional kitchen, even the most refined dishes, can absolutely be recreated at home with the right mindset. Cooking is mostly about emotion, not technique, and that emotion can be felt whether you’re in a Michelin-level kitchen or your own. Believe in your hands, trust your ingredients, and enjoy the process. 

Margherita pizza. (Supplied)

What one ingredient can instantly improve any dish? 

I’d say flour. The right flour for the right dish is absolutely essential. In Italy, we don’t just say “flour,” we talk about “tipo 00,” “semola rimacinata,” “integrale”… Each type of flour has a specific purpose, and choosing the right one shows respect for the dish and the tradition behind it. Using the right flour is like choosing the right language to express yourself. It’s the base of everything, the foundation. Even for home cooks, this choice can make the difference between something good and something truly authentic. 

When you go out to eat, do you find yourself critiquing the food?  

As a chef, it is natural to notice the details, but I try to approach it with an open mind. 

What’s the most common mistake or issue you find in other restaurants? 

A lack of authenticity and a disconnect between the dish and its cultural roots. Authenticity and consistency are key, and when they’re missing, it affects the overall experience. 

When you go out to eat, what’s your favorite cuisine or dish to order? 

Honestly, I love to try everything. For me, eating out is about enjoying food and learning. Every culture has its own traditions, techniques and flavors, and I want to understand the story behind each dish.  

I’m always curious. I taste something new, study it, and then think about how that ingredient or idea could inspire something in my own kitchen. That is how we grow as chefs — by keeping our minds open and constantly learning from others. 

What’s your go-to dish if you have to cook something quickly at home? 

Without a doubt, it’s spaghetti al pomodoro. What could be more Italian than that? It is full of soul. I love it because it represents everything I believe in: simplicity, quality and passion. When I cook it at home, even if I’m short on time, I give it my full attention, from choosing the best tomatoes and olive oil to making sure the Gragnano pasta is cooked perfectly al dente, which is non-negotiable. 

TODO Dubai. (Supplied)

What customer request most annoys you? 

Requests that compromise the integrity of a traditional dish can be challenging. While I fully respect dietary restrictions and personal preferences, altering a classic recipe beyond recognition takes away from its authenticity. I believe in educating diners about the origins and significance of each dish to foster greater appreciation and respect. 

What’s your favorite dish to cook? 

Pizza. It’s more than just my profession, it’s a piece of my heart. I have a vivid memory from my childhood: my mother and sister in our home kitchen, cooking pizza in a pan. Of course, it was not the “right” way by traditional standards — she was not a trained chef, she was a home cook — but, like many Italian mothers, she found her own way to make something special with what she had. 

Even if the technique was not perfect, the love and passion she put into it made it unforgettable. Sometimes my sister would join her, and for me, that pan pizza became a symbol of family, comfort and creativity. Pizza means everything to me because of what it represents: love, family and the joy of making something beautiful from the heart. 

What’s the most difficult dish for you to get right? 

For me, it’s fish. It may seem simple, but it’s not easy to cook perfectly. Fish is delicate. You must respect the texture, the temperature and the timing. One second too much, and it’s dry. One second too little, and it’s raw. I always need to stay focused and keep learning. That challenge is part of what makes it so rewarding when you get it just right. 

As a head chef, what are you like? Are you a disciplinarian? Or are you more laidback? 

Honestly, I can’t stand chefs who shout. We’ve seen it too many times in movies and on TV: the angry chef screaming, throwing pans, creating fear in the kitchen. Unfortunately, this happens in a lot of kitchens. But this is not leadership. This is not how great food is made. The kitchen is not a battlefield, and the people around me are not soldiers or slaves — they are humans, artists, professionals. As any of my team will tell you, I’m calm; I like to joke, and I create a relaxed environment. That doesn’t mean we’re not serious. When it’s time to push, I push. But we push together — fast, sharp, focused — as a team. Respect is the true foundation of a great kitchen. When people feel valued and inspired, not afraid, they cook with love. And that love is what reaches the plate. 

Chef Vincenzo Palermo’s spaghetti al pomodoro recipe 

Ingredients: 

200 gr spaghetti from gragnano  

300 gr San Marzano peeled tomato 

Fresh basil 

2 cloves of garlic 

Salt 

Pepper 

4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil 

Parmesan cheese 

Instructions: 

In a pan, gently sauté crushed garlic in olive oil. 

Add the tomatoes and let cook for about 10–15 minutes and add salt and pepper. 

In a pot, put water and salt and make it boil. 

Boil spaghetti until al dente, then transfer it to the sauce with a bit of cooking water. 

Toss everything together and finish with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil.  

Serve it with a gentle parmesan cheese on the top. 

Buon appetito!  


Highlights from Bashir Makhoul’s ‘The Promise’ at Zawyeh Gallery

Updated 06 June 2025
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Highlights from Bashir Makhoul’s ‘The Promise’ at Zawyeh Gallery

  • Highlights from Bashir Makhoul’s ‘The Promise,’ on show at Zawyeh Gallery, Dubai until June 30

‘Drift’

The Galilee-born British-Palestinian artist’s solo show’s title, according to the gallery, “encapsulates a poetic and ambiguous statement of intent — an assertion that is both an event and a transformation. A promise is made and, inevitably, can be broken.” That is the duality at the heart of Makhoul’s practice, as is the recurring motif of the house.

‘Deep Wounds’

This work is part of a series of painted wooden sculptures, each of which bears a carved hollow scar, disrupting its ‘wholeness.’ “These wounds are marks not just of trauma but also spaces of beginnings, resonating with Edward Said’s notion of origins as an act of cutting open, a rupture that invites multiple directions.”

‘My Olive Tree’

Makhoul has been experimenting with electroplated 3D printing to produce crystalline machine-generated structures that “paradoxically resemble organic formations” such as those seen in this work representing Makhoul’s own tree which stands between two plots of land he does not own.


Playwright Caryl Churchill pulls out of theater project over Barclays’ ties to Israel

Updated 05 June 2025
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Playwright Caryl Churchill pulls out of theater project over Barclays’ ties to Israel

  • Churchill, who is a long-time advocate for Palestinian rights, called on the Donmar Warehouse to cut ties with Barclays

LONDON: Acclaimed playwright Caryl Churchill has withdrawn from a project with a London theater over its sponsorship by Barclays and the bank’s links to companies supplying arms to Israel.

In a statement, Churchill, who is a long-time advocate for Palestinian rights, called on the Donmar Warehouse to cut ties with Barclays, The Guardian reported.

“Theaters used to say they couldn’t manage without tobacco sponsorship, but they do. Now it’s time they stopped helping advertise banks that support what Israel is doing to Palestinians,” she said.

The project had not yet been publicly announced but would have marked Churchill’s return to the Donmar for the first time since “Far Away” in 2020.

Her move has been backed by more than 300 artists and arts workers, including actors Harriet Walter, Juliet Stevenson, Alfred Enoch, Samuel West and Tim Crouch, who signed an open letter in support.

Barclays has faced increasing pressure from arts and activist groups over its provision of financial services to defense companies operating in Israel.

In 2023, the group Culture Workers Against Genocide published a letter condemning Barclays’ sponsorship of Sadler’s Wells, with signatories including Maxine Peake, an actress.

Last year, the Bands Boycott Barclays campaign led to the bank being dropped as a sponsor by several UK music festivals, including Latitude and The Great Escape.

Barclays declined to comment on Churchill’s withdrawal but said on its website: “While we provide financial services to these companies, we are not making investments for Barclays and Barclays is not a ‘shareholder’ or ‘investor’ in that sense in relation to these companies.”

Barclays CEO C.S. Venkatakrishnan defended the bank’s position in a 2023 Guardian article, writing: “These companies are supported by our democratically elected governments for their role in protecting the UK and allies in Europe. We will not undermine our own national security by de-banking them.”

Responding to Churchill’s decision, Culture Workers Against Genocide said: “Arts institutions have an ethical duty not to contribute to oppression and injustice. By continuing to accept sponsorship from Barclays, Donmar Warehouse is helping to launder the bank’s reputation as it profits from Israel’s genocide in Palestine.”

The Donmar, which lost its £500,000 ($679,355) annual government grant in 2022, has increasingly relied on private support, including corporate sponsorships. It has been approached for comment.

Churchill was previously stripped of a European lifetime achievement award in 2022 following criticism of her play “Seven Jewish Children” and her public pro-Palestinian stance.