It’s not our first encounter with London-based creative Sheykh Forever. Last time we wrote about him, he was proudly presenting us with ‘Sleeping Dogs’, a track that has now made its way into the project’s debut album, ‘Fire in the Master’s House’. The release comes off the back of a busy live schedule, as the talented troubadour graced stages across London in search of a like-minded audience.
Across fourteen eclectic tracks, Sheykh Forever takes listeners on an electrifying sonic journey, a fuzzy collection of moods and cross-genre pollinations that’s hard to resist. A crooner-esque piece such as ‘Eyes’ playfully contrasts with one of the album’s central offerings, ‘Same Disease’, built on nostalgic disco-funk influences. Yet, the record’s aural facade is somewhat misleading, with Mostafa Al drawing from his Iraqi roots for a cryptic dive into themes of identity and anti-war reckonings.
Overall, we are rather intrigued by the juxtaposition between uplifting production, kinetic grooves and deeper lyrical layers. As we are told, ‘Fire in the Master’s House’ explores “themes of displacement, propaganda, war and survivor’s guilt—from the moment the bombing begins to all the heartbreak the victims pass on to their kin—the Same disease.” We sure may be dancing to the album, but we’ll never be too far away from a poignant reflection on our complex world. Sheykh Forever tries to hide behind great tunes, but his comprehensive artistry still shines in intent and clear purpose.
Recommended! Discover ‘Fire in the Master’s House’ now: