by The anointed prince of indie-disco-pop, Ziyad Al-Samman returns with a brand new, wonderfully surreal single in the form of “Bang”. It’s another galvanizing disco-pop anthem from the half-Syrian, half-British artist, and is the first sample of his esoteric new EP “Pleasure Complex” (Nov 2024). The upcoming 5-track EP showcases Ziyad’s boundless creativity, which extends to his unique visuals and outstanding live performances.
Newly signed to Yotanka Records in France, “Bang” is Ziyad’s uncompromising message on unique creativity, arriving with a sudden rush of swirling, staccato noise, the track quickly morphs into an indie synth-driven journey, underpinned by upbeat rhythms and crooning vocals. Frequent sprinkles of jittery, heavily- filtered vocals further embellish the release.
Speaking on the new single “Bang” – Ziyad explains: “The song is about being driven by love and madness. The chase and excitement of a new relationship. I remember trying to channel some David Bowie energy when I first wrote this and I love how direct this song is, it carries a great swag and attitude.”
“When Ziyad came to me with the prospect to roll on some 16mm, I was instantly sold. Shooting on film brings an unspoken magic to the way in which the film is captured and the end result. It creates limitations (we could only roll on 10 minutes total) which spurs creativity and encourages you to adapt in the moment. We wanted to go down an industrial post punk route for ‘Bang’, with a journey of running through the streets at night. We had six hours to shoot everything, we’re all ecstatic with how it turned out.” – Katya Ganfeld, video director
Born in England, with Syrian & Jordanian heritage – Ziyad’s music blends his diverse cultural background, drawing from influences like Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, and a memorable childhood experience of singing along to Amr Diab’s “Habibi Ya Nour El Ain.” This song’s title, “Habibi,” meaning “my love,” became the theme for his standout single “Ya Habibi” on his eagerly anticipated debut EP. His music spans a range of styles, from disco-pop in “Bang” to the indie vibes of “My Sweet”, all infused with his love of dance and emotion.
Previous releases from Ziyad have led to acclaim from the likes of DIY, The Times and So Young Magazine. And achieved radio play on 6Music and Amazing Radio. His exuberant live performances have led to support slots with Hinds, Findlay, TTRRUUCCES, Yumi & The Weather and Noon Garden, and he’s performed at festivals including Green Man Festival, Live At Leeds, Deershed and Left of the Dial.
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