At first glance, it might seem like a matter of style. But in the case of Sababa 5, the distinction between retro and vintage becomes musically relevant. While reissue labels like Mr Bongo serve up vintage psych-folk directly from the 1970s, Nadir, the fourth album by the Tel Aviv quartet, is unmistakably retro: inspired by the sounds of past decades, yet firmly rooted in the present.
Comparisons with contemporary acts such as Khruangbin or Altın Gün come naturally—with laid-back grooves, wah-wah guitars and squealing vintage synths leading Arabic and Persian scales across cinematic landscapes. Japanese influences, still present on their previous album Kokoro, recede here in favour of a more dramatic orientation: at times evoking film noir, at others sounding like an otherworldly Middle Eastern sci-fi soundtrack.
This is especially effective in melancholic moments like the near-ballad »Tell«, where a church organ takes over the melodic lead in place of a voice. Even those unfamiliar with the musical traditions of the Middle East will find Nadir instantly engaging—thanks to moods that oscillate between tension, nostalgia and gentle detachment. Retro? Absolutely. But never without feeling.
Nadir
