The Classical Source For All The Performing, Visual And Literary Arts & Entertainment News
Jazz/Blues

Habibi Channels Their Garage Rock Roots in New Rebel Punk Single ‘Do You Want Me Now’

Indie-rock band Habibi "kicks down the door" with the release of their new rebellious punk single: "Do You Want Me," ahead of their upcoming album: "Dreamachine," out May 31 through Kill Rock Stars.

The new song is a defiant, dancey anthem that channels the group's defiant spirit and references their garage rock origins, which serves as both a reminder of where they came from and a retrospect on how far they have come.

This sentiment was echoed by the band's lead singer, Rahil Jamalifard, who said: "'Do You Want Me Now' is kind of a punk anthemic ode to finally knowing yourself."

"When you finally can stop listening to the voices outside and put away all this expectation and pressure," she continued, "like caring about what people think and just looking inward. 'Do You Want Me' evolves to 'I actually don't care if you do.'"

Released last Tuesday, April 2, the song also has a visualizer video that was simultaneously shared, which you can watch below.

Habibi
(L to R) Lyla Vander (drums), Yukri Morishima (bass), Rahill Jamalifard (lead vocals, synth), Ana Becker (guitar), and Lenaya Lynch (guitar, synth, backup vocals), members of Habibi, releases new single "Do You Want Me Now."
(Photo : Bailey Robb)

Habibi's 'Dreamachine,' a Collection of Swirling Soundscapes

"Do You Want Me Now" follows Habibi's lead single "On The Road," an off-kilter track that kicks off the "Dreamachine" ride with roaring engines, enthralling loops, and overdriven guitar riffs.

Since its release last March 5, Fader Magazine designated it as one of its "Songs You Need In Your Life," with resident writer Jordan Darville saying, "Ten years on, Habibi's motion is still fun to behold."

The upcoming record itself was named after the stroboscopic flickering lighting device called "Dreamachine," whose use was first popularized by 1960s beat writers like William S. Burroughs and Alan Ginsberg before generational artists like David Bowie and Paul McCartney also adopted its utilization in their shows.

Just like the device it was named after, Habibi's imminent record is a collection of transcendental soundscapes borrowing distinctive elements from niche genres like post-punk, experimental pop, and vintage disco, all of which are processed under the filter of Middle Eastern psychedelic music.

The result? An alternating, dichotomous experience that brings forth both joy and fierceness grounded by the themes of desire and escape, love and surrender, rebellion and reality.

Habibi's "Dreamachine" record was produced by Tyler Love, together with the band's longtime collaborator Jay Heselmann. It also features a performance from MGMT multi-instrumentalist James Richardson.

Later this Summer, the group will embark on a tour commemorating the release of their new album, with stops in Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and more. View the full list of tour dates and venues by clicking here.

You can now pre-order and pre-save "Dreamachine" here.

Read Also: Old 97 Shares Final Advance Single 'Somebody' Off of New Upcoming Album 'American Primitive'

Real Time Analytics