Words: Hamad Al Mujeem


ZULI - Lambda



Berlin-based Egyptian producer ZULI comes into bright focus with the arresting artistry and deep desire for timelessness in his new album Lambda, released on Subtext / Multiverse LTD. Following a clutch of celebrated records like All Caps via UIQ and Trigger Finger, ZULI cuts a unique path in Lambda. It unfolds in a more avant-garde ambiance, the nostalgic achromatic swings between subtle disorientation and deep-striking reflective solace. His restless harmonics, Lambda captured this escaping in tension, while negotiating the intimate touch of memory via textural depth. Perhaps, this is more striking on the eighth track entitled "10000 (Papercut Pt. 1)" with Hamburg-based British composer MICHAELBRAILEY. Here, ZULI lets through a softer, more contemplative side of his production, whittling out moments of vulnerability and grace. The contributions of Coby Sey and Abdullah Miniawy raise the narrative of the record, a symphonic tapestry of the complex anxieties and longing to transcend the worldly constraints. Together, they create a sound world that feels somehow immersive and in transformation, guiding listeners toward an empathetic understanding of escapism. Lambda leaves us in a state of tranquil clarity, as though suspended in a gauzy, lucid dream. It invites us to confront the boundaries of the unknown with open hearts and flourishing minds, offering a delicate yet profound exploration of what it means to search, reach, and ultimately find peace.