Dépaysé
City Slang (41 mins)
Sinkane’s Ahmed Gallab was born in London to Sudanese parents, moved to Omdurman at age five and then eventually to the US; it’s a story that will be familiar to millions in diaspora communities around the world.
Gallab’s contemplations on his identity as an Amreekee-Sudani (Sudanese-American) are the theme that runs through Dépaysé. His lyrics ponder of his place in a world full of unities and divisions that come in these times of Trump’s Muslim ban and the recent overthrow of Sudanese dictator Omar al-Bashir; despite these weighty topics, the feeling is one of cautious positivity and hope.
This theme of multi-identity isn’t just expressed in words. Sinkane’s overall sound is one of indie rock and pop, but there are nods to Sudanese music ingrained throughout the album. This usually comes in the subtle forms of polyrhythmic percussion, pentatonic scales and occasional Arabic refrains, but some tracks, such as ‘Stranger’ and ‘Ya Sudan’, are full-on tributes to the music of Gallab’s parents’ generation. It’s sort of like if Vampire Weekend were obsessed with vintage Sudanese pop rather than Congolese soukous.
The result is compelling on each level: the lyrics are thoughtful and insightful, and the music turns them into feel-good summer anthems.