RUSNAM - de:code (2024) [Hi-Res]

In "de:code," RUSNAM's second EP for Shouka, she invites listeners into a new chapter of her personal and musical evolution. Rooted in the critique of patriarchy and racism, RUSNAM’s identity as a Turkish woman with Arab roots raised in Germany and collaborations with BIPoC women* musicians, she delves into the collective experiences in complexities of female existence through music.

Building off of the themes of her 2023 released EP, ‘Famale’, "de:code" diverges from the densely packed technotic soundscape and emphasizes Middle Eastern melodies, crafting electronic soundscapes around fragments of traditional instruments & voices. This record merges traditional and classical melodies of instruments such as Oud, Kanun, Ney, Harp and Cello with electronic beats and experimental sounds.

In these reworked tracks, hypnotic vocals and ethereal melodies intertwine with dark basslines, heavy beats, and experimental atmospheres. Across the EP's five tracks she presents some of her most emotive compositions to date with emotional textures and effects à la RUSNAM. They dig deeper into the themes of decolonization in music with a serious and melancholic tone. RUSNAM takes the listener to the place of pain and despair, but also to the place of strength and community, blurring the boundary between two seemingly contrasting emotions in an attempt to unite with like-minded people. A musical exploration of pain, hope, oppression, liberation and release.

The music on this release was born during the development of the musical exhibition de:code in 2023 in Berlin. An intensive period of music sessions and recordings reflecting, appropriating, processing, and transforming discrimination stories and experiences in the intersection of experimental electronic music and personal narratives of marginalized female* musicians.

Tracklist:
1.01 - RUSNAM, Zeynep Akdil - Duy Beni (4:09)
1.02 - RUSNAM, Cham Saloum - الصبّار [Sabbara] (4:54)
1.03 - RUSNAM, Samira Memarzadeh - باران [Baran] (4:48)
1.04 - RUSNAM, Dima Dawood - حرب القبول [Harb Al-Qubul] (5:35)
1.05 - RUSNAM, İpek İpekçioğlu - Ötesinde (5:00)