Féras Chatila & Baraka Will Make You Float Away on 'In Your Blood'

Cairo-based singer and songwriter Féras Chatila has just dropped ‘In Your Blood’, an indie, neo-soul track which holds the same name as his album. Produced by Baraka, the track was released on Memphis Records, a Cairo-based funk and soul label. Characterized by an amalgamation of lofi, entrancing chords and a stanky bass, the genesis of this project took place during an impromptu jam ultimately culminating in a two-day production session.

The lyrical narrative paints a picture of Féras’ life, one that explores the hardships that come with lack of support from his family. The sonic composition exhibits Féras’ palpable angst through the use of samples, background vocals, and saturated drums and bass. Féras strives to craft a track that lies beyond a simple "dreamy chill lofi track" but rather one that exudes vulnerability and represents his inner turmoil.

As Féras describes it, amidst the intimate setting of his home studio, a disruption from his frustrated sister is aligned with the song's overarching theme. Her outburst, captured at the 1:23-minute mark with the resounding Arabic phrase "معندكش دم" (you have no shame), coupled with the forceful shutting of his bedroom's door, became an integral sample within the track.

Baraka's dual role as the track's producer and mixer brought an added layer of intimacy, infusing the composition with emotions and embracing the intentional DIY aesthetic Féras sought to embody. Inspired by American jazz trumpeter Tom Brownes’ ‘Weak In the Knees’, Baraka sought to use a similar chord progression.