There are many anecdotes around Nemah Hasan, a chatter that is growing exponentially in recent weeks, with the release of his debut album “Verbathim”. But it's not just about good publicity, the genesis of this work is part of an incandescent context, the author has therefore decided to put the pedal to the metal to convey a message that is as honest and direct as possible, as can be seen from the title of the album, even net of that extra “h”.
Born in Toronto to a family of Palestinian refugees from the West Bank, Nemah grew up safe but in poverty, also working as a gas station attendant and absorbing the harsh realities of a battered and divisive cultural heritage – her choice to bring thehijab and be the spokesperson for your own slice of life, while being comfortable with sports clothing and a typically Nordic cynical sense of humor. An inevitably political cultural “clash”, which ostracizes her in certain circles, but also makes her recognizable among others social media. And Nemahsis seized the opportunity: during his last trip to Palestine to visit his family, in March 2024, he shot the images that accompany the bombastic single “stick of gum” in just a few hours, humanizing the inhabitants of a strip of land caught between multiple fires. In its simplicity, it is one of the most touching films of the current year.
But the arrival of this debut was anything but linear, as told during an interview on Tom Power's podcast. In summary, “Verbathim” was already ready over a year ago, disputed between various offers before signing with an unnamed record company in early October 2023. But a few days later, the attack by Hamas extremists against Israel reignited the spotlight on an unquenchable conflict, and Nemahsis had his contract terminated without even the courtesy of a phone call, with the excuse that “Verbathim” has the potential to be record of the year but is impossible to publicize. An ordeal therefore followed during which the author felt “untouchable” and dehumanised, prey to heated perceptions of identity, personal disappointments and new logistical and financial problems, until she decided to publish herself.
And then “Verbathim” isn't even a markedly political record, it simply wants to offer the point of view of a young woman, as granted to many other Western singer-songwriters. Not an easy feat, as confessed during an episode of “The Breakdown” for Rolling Stone:
[…] I don't like being heavy, there's already so much seriousness around my music and my image and even if I try to detach myself from it the rest of the world doesn't make me forget it. I hate being serious, I would like to write love songs […] but the world expects something more from me…
In fact, although melodically angular and sparse in the production – sometimes accompanied by a carpet of freshly plucked strings – “Verbathim” is intense right from the melancholy opening of “old body, new mind”, associated with the intimacy of Lorde and Lykke Li, or even to the most desert-like Feist. Nemahsis also has an indie-rock heart, as when, on “you wore it better”, she opens to a shrill chorus reminiscent of Britain's Rachel Chinouriri.
But “dead giveaway” has more to do with the hypnotic roughness of 070 Shake, demonstrating a modern and varied taste, especially when compared to the bitter acid-folk of “miss construed”, almost a ghost out of the closet by Linda Perhacs. The listening soars with the crescendo of “spinning plates” and reaches its peak with the splendid “coloured concrete”, a lively autobiographical art-pop of childhood memories and reasons for hope.
There is no shortage of hybrid moments, such as the compelling folk/funk suite of “delusion” and the spirited progressive collage “furniture killer”, in addition to the mundane cut & sew interferences of “fine print”, capable of permuting a sweet pop song with a hip spirit -hop. Subdued ending with “chemical mark”, a simple but effective love song: under that much debated hijabthere is a girl like any other, both rough and compassionate.
With these elements available, “Verbathim” already seems to be among the most loved and debated singer-songwriter releases between now and the end of the year.
01/10/2024
Daniel D`Amico for SANREMO.FM
