Review | Songlines

Dar Disku

Rating: ★★

View album and artist details

Album and Artist Details

Artist/band:

Dar Disku

Label:

Soundway Records

January/2025

Dar Disku’s debut album aims to blend the vibrant sounds of Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA) with modern electro, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. Bahraini duo Mazen Almaskati and Vish M have a recognised passion for their musical heritage, and their live DJ sets are known for their dynamism. However, this album feels more polished than personal, leaning heavily into commercial trends rather than pushing creative boundaries. Recorded across countries like Algeria and Turkey, the potential for an innovative cross-cultural fusion is there, but many of the tracks fall into familiar electro patterns, making the project feel less fresh than it could be. The collaboration with Aymen Attia is a highlight, though it struggles to elevate the overall sound. Still, this album is likely to please dancefloor regulars. It just leaves those expecting something more daring a bit underwhelmed. Here’s hoping Dar Disku’s next effort will dig deeper into that rich musical well that deserves global recognition.

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