by Zuzu Lacey (@zu.lacey)
New to Habibi’s highly regarded catalog is the visionary Dreamachine – an embodiment of maturity and self-exploration. The Brooklyn-born band return with a softer and more melodic groove, letting us in with more vulnerability than ever before. Habibi present a different side with Dreamachine, giving room for a sonic evolution and greater depth.
What makes Habibi’s sound so recognizable is their bass-driven tracks and Middle Eastern influence with modern flair. Dreamachine maintains these qualities, often with the addition of digital elements and hypnotic synth. The album builds upon their previous sound and brings an air of expansiveness. MGMT’s multi-instrumentalist James Richardson too contributes to the record’s impact. Straying from their typical sound shows Habibi leaning into growth and the joy of fulfilling new desires.
Dreamachine’s lead single and first track, “On the Road,” reflects the experience of traveling at the world’s mercy. The relentless guitar is immersive, with the dark tone of this track taking its concept to a fearless place. It is a greatly personal track, stating “my daddy came here in 1979,” and tackles the discomfort of mental and literal voyages. “On the Road” shows Habibi slowing down their groove, a clear nod to both the sixties girl-group style as well as Middle Eastern psychedelia. Like the wider lyrics on the album, the song embraces both the past and future self. A new edge in Dreamachine shows Habibi proving their style cannot be contained to any one perception or genre.
The band’s latest album and its standalone sound is also accredited to having an extensive variation of influences. Gaining inspiration from post-punk, experimental pop, and vintage disco, Dreamachine is consistently hypnotic and transformative. Habibi weave the influence of Diana Ross, Kate Bush, and Kim Deal into the album. Its off-centre solos and melancholic dips in sound make Dreamachine’s atmosphere captivating and subsequently inescapable. The record explores the theme of proceeding without certainty, entwined with a sense of pursuing self-understanding, and the challenges which arise from doing so. With encouragement from Rahill Jamalifard’s enigmatic vocal delivery, Dreamachine marks another peak in openness and strength for Habibi.