Sheherazaad – ‘Qasr’ album review: A testament to defying genre
THE SKINNY: Sometimes, you have an inkling for an album within the first few seconds of hearing it. It’s unspoken, just a feeling that what you’ve decided to settle in for is probably going to be something you subsequently become addicted to. That’s the feeling you get with the opening notes of Sheherazaad’s Qasr, and the album that follows doesn’t disappoint.
As the first few seconds of ‘Mashoor’ ring through, you know you’ll hear masters at work. The instrumentation sounds improvised, and a run of notes comes through as someone warms up their fingers and tunes before the track steadily builds around that initial run and more and more layers are added. This record will withstand the test of time, with instrumentation and lyricism both so poignant and beautiful that you would need a shovel and 20 years to get to their roots and fully understand what you’re listening to.
Sheherazaad is the embodiment of finding and expressing identity through music. Her sound comes from a disconnect with the English language, a fall away from what she initially heard and finding something that better reflected who she was and what she stood for. In broadening what she listened to and working with various other artists, she has arrived at Qasr, a triumph in every sense of the word.
As we step closer and closer to a world where genre is a thing of the past, the possibility of embracing various cultures and sounds continues to show itself. This time, it presents itself in the form of Qasr, a record that feels like an engulfing midday trip to the cinema.
For fans of: Music that takes centre stage regardless of where it’s heard.
A concluding comment from a disgruntled record store owner: “Well, which bloody section do I stick this in? ‘Other’? Pick a lane!”
Qasr track by track:
‘Mashoor’: The song has an atmosphere set from the word go. Trickling guitar with an almost improvisational feel fills the airwaves for 30 seconds before sweet-sounding vocals kick in, and the rest of the song builds around them. You end up with a trippy and sensual tune, almost cinematic in its layering and execution. [5/5]
‘Dhund Lo Mujhe’: A song filled with personality and mischief. Every element of the song is incredibly intricate, each part coming across as complex but still combining in a way which is cohesive and entirely accessible. It’s a wonderful thing to behold. [4/5]
‘Koshish’: Sheher’s voice is a monument within itself. Where steady instrumentation provides a ground for her to walk on, she runs, every note brimming with steadfast beauty. There is a slight echo in her voice throughout that song, which gives the illusion of open space. If you were to turn the lights off and close your eyes, you would experience truly transformative music. Sheher dances from high notes to low as easily as she breathes, with talent that only mirrors the magnitude of the music. [4/5]
‘Khatam’: This record’s ability to create mood is truly inspiring. Even songs such as ‘Khatam,’ which are relatively stripped-back, accomplish a great deal with very little. Simple chords and Sheher’s vocal ability are all that’s needed to provide a listening experience that is full-bodied and glorious in every sense. [5/5]
‘Lehja’: An odyssey-esque outro. There isn’t much faulting this album; the 7-minute extended ending to the tracklist goes by in a flash, with every single second seeming intentional and purpose-driven. Nothing is wasted; no note fails to land, and no sound goes unnoticed. A masterpiece in every sense of the word. [5/5]
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