Marwan Moussa is in 'Denial’

A couple of weeks ago, Egyptian label Beatroot Records announced the signing of Marwan Moussa and Afroto, along with upcoming projects from these two Egyptian rap giants. This news followed Marwan's recent live performance, where he teased his upcoming album, hinting at a change in sound. He shared that the new album would be an intimate experience, delving back into his personal songwriting and emotions.

I was excited for the album, knowing that some of Marwan's best tracks, like 'El Bosla Da3et', 'Sheraton' and 'Shahr 12', focused on deep and personal themes. A week after the news of his signing with Beatroot, Marwan released the single '3amel Eh', which lived up to his promise. The rapper delivered one of his most personal and intimate songs, with a clear evolution in production and a shift in his sound identity. The track was meticulously written and showcased Marwan's experimental approach.

My anticipation for the album grew even more when the first phase of Marwan's album was released, promising a conceptual work consisting of five phases, each containing three songs that explore the five stages of grief. The first phase, titled 'Denial', presented three songs: 'Airplane Mode', 'Amot Ana' and 'Mozza.'

Marwan begins the album with a female voice narrating, perhaps speaking to him as if in a therapy session, indicating that he is in the first phase, denial. He then delivers verses that reflect his concept and perception of denial as part of the five stages of grief. While the album's concept can feel overly imposed with the repeated intrusion of the female voice throughout the three tracks, constantly reminding us that we are in the denial phase, Marwan delivers his bars skillfully in his distinct style, starting the track with a muffled voice that becomes clearer as he flows perfectly over a lo-fi trap beat, discussing a past relationship, its highs and lows, and contemplating its end.

Marwan relies on his mastered production techniques, creating a coherent blend of trap infusion through swinging drum patterns, his known trademark, accompanied by melodies that reinforce his flows. The track 'Amot Ana' features the same female voice reminding us again of the denial stage. The track samples a classic song by Sabah with the same title, 'Amot Ana', while Marwan's delivery leans to pop into the chorus, introducing the infectioness factor.

We then move on to 'Mozza', the most experimental track on the album. Marwan plays with various sonic elements, from drill’s 808s to looping synth segments and string melodies that intermittently invade the soundscape. Marwan's melodic flows harmonize smoothly with the production. The female voice disappears here, and Marwan says at the end of the track, 'I'll tell you the story.' further asserting the setting of a therapy session.

The concept of 'the five stages of grief' is not exactly new, but exploring it through hip-hop is. The concept seems unusual to the genre, but the first phase of Marwan’s album is of high quality. It may not be an extreme shift in sound in Marwan's sound  - which I think is needed - but it certainly shows a cohesive and evolved sonic style.