This is Tehran?

Getting their music heard outside of Iran can be tricky for artists working in the oppressive environment enforced by the Islamic regime. Under the current sanctions the government prohibits direct dealing with American and European platforms or customers; yet, by some clever loophole, the enterprising German label 30M is able to release their music to a worldwide audience. And it is fortunate this is possible because they have a lot to offer.

This is 30M’s second release to date. Essentially it is a compilation of recordings from several different Tehran artists, but it doesn’t sound like a loose collection of taster tracks. Rather – and despite comprising electronica, folk, jazz, trip-hop and many other elements – it somehow works as an album in its own right. An airy kamancheh (spike-fiddle) solo, complemented by delays and reverbs gives way to a tense, galloping sorna (shawm) rave. There’s a track from RAAZ (30M’s first release), some wonderfully wistful vocal and piano numbers, and a kind of Super Mario jazz-race through the streets of Tehran. This album offers a strikingly modern navigation of traditional culture, showcasing some of the most exciting sounds currently emanating from Iran’s capital.