Samuum released “Coffee Cup Reading (Yaman, Pt. 2)” on major platforms, accompanied by a music video that reinforces the song’s themes. The collective, founded by filmmaker and musician Ando Berberian and singer Lusine Kocharian, blends Middle Eastern influences with rap, rave, punk, and ethnic melodies. The single focuses on shared anxiety common in the Middle East, where daily life feels uncertain and even ordinary actions can carry weight. The song draws on coffee ground reading, a ritual that offers comfort and reflection during chaos. The video contrasts a typical Middle Eastern cityscape with surveillance and modernity, following young women and prompting reflection on freedom and agency.
"The new single addresses the collective experience of anxiety, particularly prevalent in the Middle East. In a region marked by uncertainty, 'Coffee Cup Reading' reflects on how individuals grapple with the anxiety of daily life, where even the most mundane actions, like sipping coffee, can carry profound implications. The song draws from the cultural practice of coffee ground reading-an intimate ritual that serves both as a source of comfort and reflection amid chaos."
"Founded by filmmaker and musician Ando Berberian alongside singer Lusine Kocharian, Samuum's music merges Middle Eastern influences with elements of rap, rave, punk, and ethnic melodies, crafting a sound that is both distinct and compelling. Their work has garnered attention from notable outlets, including Clash Magazine, Headliner US, KALTBLUT, Fred Perry Subculture, and Louder Than War."
"“Nothing's permanent in this region. Regimes rise and fall faster than your last playlist shuffle... It's the small, vital rituals that keep us sane. Reading coffee grounds is one of those rituals: half-mystic, half-playful, but quietly comforting.”"
"The accompanying music video, directed by Berberian and Alisa Zolonz, presents a narrative that juxtaposes a typical Middle Eastern cityscape with themes of surveillance and modernity. The visual journey highlights a group of young women navigating through their environment, revealing layers of reality that prompt introspection on issues of freedom and agency."
#middle-eastern-anxiety #coffee-ground-reading-ritual #womens-freedom-and-agency #surveillance-and-modernity #rap-and-ethnic-fusion
Read at KALTBLUT Magazine
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