Souad Massi is charting a new course. After two decades building a luminous discography rooted in freedom, justice, and poetry – albums largely defined by acoustic arrangements – the Franco-Algerian singer is embracing a bolder, more electric sound with her ninth studio album, ’s Zagate.
Massi first captivated audiences in with Raoui, a folk-infused debut that resonated with listeners drawn to its raw emotion and what some described as “exotic” vibrations. It offered a refreshing alternative to mainstream pop, and demand for the album quickly outstripped expectations. As one former record store employee recalls, “We were getting orders by the carton, from customers who were as curious as they were music lovers.”
The early 2000s were a period of significant change in the music industry. The digital revolution promised to level the playing field, challenging established labels and opening doors for artists from diverse backgrounds. “World music” gained traction, fostering a sense of community among musicians and audiences alike. Raoui benefited from this climate, finding a receptive audience eager for something different.
But Massi’s artistic journey hasn’t been defined by stagnation. Following Raoui, she released a string of studio albums, best-of compilations, a live acoustic record, and contributed to several film soundtracks – including Mauvaise foi and Azur &. Asmar. Throughout it all, she consistently made what she considered the right artistic choices, collaborating with a diverse range of musicians, from Francis Cabrel and Salif Keita to Paul Weller and Mehdi Haddab.
Zagate represents a particularly significant shift. The album’s title, a distortion of the French phrase “ça se gâte” (meaning “things are getting worse”), is a statement of intent. It reflects Massi’s experience navigating two worlds – Algeria, where she was born, and France, where she creates – and explores themes of anger, revolt, and hope. It’s a linguistic play that encapsulates the album’s willingness to break conventions and reveal a side of Massi that many listeners may not have fully known.
For years, Massi has been characterized as the “bitter-sweet voice of exile,” a troubadour with an acoustic guitar and poetic lyrics. Albums like Deb and Mesk Elil, the latter earning her a Victoire de la Musique award, solidified this image. However, those who followed her career closely knew there was more to her musical identity. She’d long expressed a desire to return to rock, to the sound of her early band, Atakor, which toured Algeria during a turbulent period known as the “years of lead.”
Zagate isn’t a simple return to Atakor, but it’s an artist taking a risk, refusing to play it safe. The album opens with a reggae-infused track that immediately signals Massi’s evolution. A sultry chorus invites listeners to dance, while a surprising Ney solo – a traditional Arab flute – is seamlessly woven into the groove. This sets the stage for an album that defies easy categorization.
The project reunites Massi with producer Justin Adams, who previously worked with her on the acclaimed Sequana. Adams, known for his work with artists like Robert Plant and Tinariwen, has a knack for transforming textures and notes into something “incredibly just and bluffing,” as one source described his talent. He’s joined by a stellar lineup including John Baggott (Massive Attack), Billy Fuller, and guest appearances from rappers Gaël Faye and Youssoupha.
The sound of Zagate is a vibrant tapestry of influences: Chaâbi-folk, Afrobeat grooves, binary rock, Arabic song, proto-slam, and Arabo-Andalusian melodies. It’s an album that demands to be listened to from beginning to end, captivating the listener with its energy and complexity. As one observer noted, it’s reminiscent of the impact Raoui had over twenty years ago.
The first single from Zagate, “Samt” (Silence), released on , offers a glimpse into the album’s sonic landscape. Built upon a hypnotic Afrobeat loop, layered with guitar and percussion, and featuring Sylvain Barou’s zurna, “Samt” redefines silence not as passivity, but as a spiritual refuge. Massi will be performing this new material live at the Barbican in London on .
Souad Massi’s journey is one of constant evolution, a singular artistic path where questions of identity, politics, and justice intersect. With Zagate, she’s not just releasing an album; she’s making a statement – a declaration of artistic freedom and a refusal to be confined by expectations.
