Tamara Qaddoumi, the Beirut-based Lebanese/Kuwaiti artist, has once again captivated audiences with her latest single, “Under The Knife,” released on September 29th. This haunting track is a soft surrender to the imminence of death, skillfully navigating the intricate stages of grief. As the debut single from her upcoming EP, “Sorry Signal,” the song explores the universal experience of mortality, using ethereal vocals, resonating bass, subdued guitars, and slow-train drums to create an atmosphere akin to discovering how to breathe underwater.
“Under The Knife” doesn’t shy away from the discomfort of confronting one’s own mortality; instead, it embraces the inevitable with grace and elegance. The song encourages listeners to contemplate the fragility of life, allowing it to shimmer with enchantment even in the face of mortality.
Recorded by Fadi Tabbal at Beirut’s Tunefork Studio, “Sorry Signal” is a four-track album set to be released on December 8, 2023. This EP delves into themes of death and grief, processing these emotions through electronic elements while synthesizing silver linings and graceful insights to ultimately arrive at a certain peace. The sleek and innovative Cold Pop sound of the album is rich with emotional articulations, highlighting the complex dynamic between man and machine. Drawing inspiration from hospital environments, it infuses cold and sterile atmospheres with suggestive guitars, emphatic synths, and heady lyrics.
One of the most striking aspects of Tamara Qaddoumi’s artistry is her ability to weave her diverse cultural background – Kuwaiti, Palestinian, Lebanese, and Scottish – into her music. Her songs often delve into conscious questions and discoveries surrounding identity and belonging. Since 2018, Qaddoumi has released two EPs, been featured in prestigious publications such as Marie Claire, Vogue, and Bazaar, and consistently graced Lebanon’s stages with her band.
“Under The Knife” serves as yet another manifestation of Tamara Qaddoumi’s immense talent as an artist and singer-songwriter. It is a testament to her ability to create music that not only resonates with its listeners but also encourages them to explore profound emotions and contemplate the mysteries of life and death.
Qaddoumi’s willingness to tackle such weighty themes in her music, combined with her distinctive sound and unique cultural perspective, sets her apart as an artist who continues to push the boundaries of the music industry. “Under The Knife” is a hauntingly beautiful offering that reminds us of the power of music to confront life’s deepest questions and sorrows, ultimately offering solace and understanding in the face of mortality. As we eagerly await the release of “Sorry Signal” in December, it’s clear that Tamara Qaddoumi’s future in the music world is one filled with promise and potential for even greater artistic achievements.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Endowed with voice, melody, and word, Tamara Qaddoumi’s striking vocals lead musical layers composed of galactic synths, expressive drums and searing guitars, embracing the conflicting dynamics of electronics.
Qaddoumi’s hybrid Kuwaiti, Palestinian, Lebanese and Scottish upbringing weaves conscious questions and discoveries around identity and belonging into her repertoire. Traveling through complex melodic arrangements, her lyrics oscillate between desire and observation. In the past few years, Tamara Qaddoumi has released two EPs, been featured in Marie Claire, Vogue, and Bazaar, and regularly graces Lebanon’s stages with her band.
Tamara Qaddoumi’s third EP “Sorry Signal”, a rumination on death carried by a sleek Cold Pop sound, will be released in the fall of 2023.
