World review: Various Artists, Deeyah presents Iranian Woman (Heilo)
When one hears a mournful, yearning female voice singing in another language, the music can resonate with a greater intensity because we don’t know with any certainty what grieves or moves her. And so it is with this collection of contemporary Iranian artists put together by the film-maker and activist Deeyah.
So even though the English translations provided tell us that these are songs to seasons, lovers, children and God; songs that plead, flirt, comfort and aggrandise – you’ll get a more immediate experience if you just let them seep into your bones and grip your heart.
“The Hunt” by the Tehran-born Montreal-based Azam Ali is particularly impressive with its deft blend of the modern and the traditional.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies