SAADI’s new album Birds of Paradise drops September 3, 2025 but the advance singles reveal an art pop sound unique in its fusion of non-Western rhythms, creative almost lo-fi electronic production and imaginatively pointed lyrics. The single “Cowboy in a Ghost Town” is most obviously a reference to the Palestinian genocide but of course in recent events of June 2025 applies to the war being waged on Iran. The layers of percussion provide a rich foundation on which SAADI’s vocals stand out in calmly but not dispassionately describes the horrifying legacy of colonialism playing out yet again. Fans of The Knife will appreciate the way SAADI masterfully utilizes seemingly disparate sound sources to craft a song with sensitivity and urgency in equal measure and worthy of the weighty subject matter. Some may remember Boshra AlSaadi ala SAADI from her time in the great post-punk band TEEN or experimental dance pop group Looker or even her tenure playing with the late, great Bubu musician Ahmed Janka Nabay, music of the latter directly informs this song with its jaunty rhythms and sharply observed social and political commentary. “Cowboy in a Ghost Town” has a refreshingly different sound that stretches the sonic boundaries of pop music even more than AlSaadi’s previous bands did. Listen to “Cowboy in a Ghost Town” on Spotify and follow SAADI at the links provided.
Queen City Sounds and Art 
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