Release date: October 18, 2024
The album, a five-piece collection, serves as a testament to her ability to craft sonic narratives that bridge geographical and emotional divides, drawing listeners into a world where the past and future collide.
From the outset, Dožam establishes itself as a deeply personal and collaborative work. Each piece is rooted in a specific Iranian dastgah or mode, breathing new life into these ancient musical frameworks. The contributions of Iranian-based performers Negin Mohammadi (kamancheh), Hiwa Seyfizade (voice), Samar Araghi (tar), Anahita Azimi (violin), and Bahar Amrollahi (qanun) add authenticity and emotional depth to the compositions.
Kimia’s approach is both bold and deliberate, juxtaposing the organic timbres of traditional instruments with the abstract textures of electronic manipulation. The opening track introduces listeners to this dynamic interplay, as fragmented kamancheh melodies dissolve into shimmering waves of synthesized sound. It’s a striking introduction, one that sets the tone for the album’s exploration of tension and release.
Midway through the album, the haunting vocals of Hiwa Seyfizade emerge, weaving through electronic distortions like a distant cry reverberating across time. The emotional weight of this track encapsulates the album’s title: Dožam, a word laden with feelings of anger, sadness, and frustration. The soundscape here is dense yet spacious, offering moments of raw vulnerability alongside flashes of resilience.
The final piece, featuring Bahar Amrollahi’s qanun, brings the album to a reflective close. Its cascading arpeggios and electronic undercurrents evoke a sense of bittersweet resolution, a reminder that while emotions like those captured in Dožam are universal, they are also deeply personal.
Kimia Koochakzadeh-Yazdi’s Dožam is a bold and deeply affecting work. It not only reimagines the possibilities of Iranian music but also serves as a poignant reflection on the human experience. For those seeking music that challenges, resonates, and lingers, Dožam is an album that demands attention.
