A-Wa - Habib Galbi

A-Wa
Habib Galbi
2016
Spotify

A-Wa are Israeli sisters Tair, Liron and Tagel Haim who's sparse electronic instrumentation and traditional vocals have made them famous in Israel and now they have set their sights higher. The first thing you get from the record really is Joy. Each track feels wildly happy and bright almost a direct contrast to what we assume in the west is a day in day out misery. "Habib Galbi" is the major single off of the record by the same name and it has this funky element which you almost never find in music from that region. However these sisters do not shy away from the weird. They are constantly trying to blend both their roots and the music of today. Even though you may not know what they are saying the sentiment really does bleed through, you know what you are supposed to do to this music deep in your bones, dance. The influence of Dancehall also cannot be understated. There are many times where you feel like these songs are right on the edge of being considered some very funky form of Reggae, but it never crosses fully into that territory Habib Galbi more just toys with that idea. Often you will believe a song is going to take a darker turn as it begins, but the Sisters never really take their music that direction, instead they focus on making music fun.

Because all of the record is in a different language you may find it difficult to follow along, and it also means the A-Wa's delivery is very different than what we are used to. The inclusion of male vocals on "AlaWabda" is a welcome change of pace because in reality a great of this record sounds very much the same. There are times especially in the middle of the record where each track looses some of it's distinctiveness and becomes a bit repetitive. There is also this sort of childish sound to the music on Habib Galbi that at times is super endearing but at other times does not come off quite as well. The Haim sisters however are ale to attain this sound when they sing together that is damn near vocal perfection. As they are able to blend this sound into more musically interesting projects they are really going to excel. There are things to love and things to no like on Habib Galbi but this is a record that shows immense potential and what comes next from A-Wa will be very exciting.

7.6 out of 10