G.Œ Records Unites MENA Artists on ‘Resistentia Sonora Mediterranea’

Gros: Œuvre Records (G.Œ), a Mediterranean label based in Marseille, France, has just released its first VA compilation album, ‘Resistentia Sonora Mediterranea’, a 14-track body of work that ties the region’s diverse musical landscape, from Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia to Lebanon, Palestine and Egypt.

Rooted in the current avant-garde scene, G.Œ Records explores the nuances of bass, trap, and all forms of electronic music enriched by influences from the Middle East and North Africa. The label specializes in musical and cultural creation, publishing, and artist management, with a mission of amplifying Arab voices from the MENA region and its diaspora whilst deconstructing stereotypical notions. 

The compilation is a rich amalgamation of various sounds - from rap, bass and dub to electro, trap, industrial and shaabi – all connected by a shared intention and sonic approach, that is exploring music as a form of resistance. Featured on the compilation is a roster of some of the most exciting talents from the MENA region and its diaspora, such as Sabine Salame, William Mahfoud, 3li3bboud, SHLTF, 3YN, Koumiya, El Hakim, just to name a few.

Lebanese producer and songwriter 3li3bboud kicks off the compilation with ‘Batata Hara’. Sharp and precise, the track is a refreshing take on modern hip-hop, incorporating elements of drill, trap, and lo-fi with anthemic samples and archived word snippets that evoke emotions of mourning. NAAHA’s bilingual track ‘Titan’, as the name suggests, delves deeper into the noisier rap sounds, veering away from conventional rap structures in favour of embracing the rage style, incorporating elements of cloud rap and industrial aesthetics. 

Meanwhile, Lebanese rap and spoken word artist Sabine Salame lends her politically-charged and bold lyricism to William Mahfoud’s dark and ominous production on ‘3ENF’. The track is packed with deeply penetrating sub-energy and Berghain-esque experimental noise textures that would make your headphones tremble at their might.

France-based Moroccan DJ and producer Leïla Koumiya jumps on the compilation as well with ‘Ayaw’, a stormy left-field bass concoction, mixing chopped rap samples, percussive bass music, and Amazigh syncopated rhythms that shine through the synthswork. 

One of the standouts on the album is ‘Blghsa’ by Palestinian producer SHLTF with Hadi on vocals, where SHLTF’s signature unorthodox production, intricately weaving drum n bass elements within hip-hop textures, is accompanied by Hadi’s conscious and politically-charged lyricism, reflecting on the Palestinian resistance and the ongoing genocide committed by the Israeli armed forces.