Mishaal Tamer is the East meets West musical prodigy reconfiguring Middle Eastern pop.

Tamer’s youth-oriented music represents a changing of the guards – a pivot point between tradition and progression in his native Saudi Arabia. When music was legalised in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Mishaal began to post DIY experiments on Instagram. He was later accepted to the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music in New York. Tamer directed and released his first music video for his song ‘Arabian Knights’ in 2019, a tribute to his hometown of Jeddah. From the offset, with multiple transitional projects to his name since, Tamer’s goal has been to ingratiate international listeners to the picturesque natural beauty, the customs and the characters that make up his homeland.

Tamer’s oeuvre is fleshed-out, expansive and cinematic in scope on debut album, ‘’: it comprises of 33 songs spread across five chapters each representing a theme personal to Tamer’s; THE DEEP, THE HEART, THE HEARTBREAK, THE DREAM, and THE RETURN. It’s a compendium moving between bluesy confessionals, laconic RnB-rap reveries and stadium-pop strummers.

In conversation with CLASH, Mishaal Tamer opens up on his ambitious debut full-length, his repartee with One Republic, and the creative inspiration he derives from being the connecting node between cultures.

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For many people, their point of introduction to your music was the viral success of ‘Can’t Love Myself’. What was that moment like for you?

It happened during a dark time in my life that I refer to as THE DEEP. I stayed mostly anonymous and I didn’t want to be seen, but I took pleasure in seeing how the music (although it was sad) was making a positive impact on the people exposed to it. So that’s why when people came wanting to sample my work I would give it away for free. 

How did you adjust to viral fame? It must have been so unexpected.

At first the viral fame came only to the music (this was when i was still anonymous online) but it felt so strange. I remember once walking by my dorm room in NYU and hearing my voice singing from a nearby dormitory. It felt surreal. 

You’ve since released a number of projects, and recently shared your debut album and two EPs before that. Was it important for you to build gradually?

Yes, because it all ties in together. THE DEEP, THE HEART, everything is connected and it’s all real. This wasn’t music made for money or fame, this is pure self-expression. Gradually it reveals a story, and that story in full is what you hear on ‘HOME IS CHANGING’. 

It’s been a whirlwind year for you, how do you stay grounded?

I play video games with my friends and cook for my dog. 

What makes this the right time to tackle your debut album?

I am no longer afraid to put myself out there. Home is Changing and so am I. I have found my purpose and the only thing that can stop me now is death. 

It’s a broad work with five chapters. What drew you to this structure?

It was actually composed out of an even broader work of over 800 songs. These 33 simply summarise that story in a way that intertwines. Even numerically there is meaning to be found within the album – hidden details and clues that tie things together give new meaning where one might have not seen it on first listening. 

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‘BABA FEIN’ samples a nursery rhyme, which is a unique decision. Can you tell us a bit more about that song?

It also has an easter egg in that the name mentioned in the song ‘Solaire’ is a character from Hidetaka Miyazaki’s ‘Dark Souls’. Baba Fein the nursery rhyme roughly translates to “Where is father?”. The song is meant to be interpreted in whichever way the listener sees fit but to me it’s about chasing that sun, and chasing your dreams especially in the creative field. The rhyme goes “Where is father? Father is here”, meaning we (the creatives) are here and we are taking over. 

What do you think the biggest challenge you faced during the album process was?

Mixing and mastering. The tracks were taken from archives of 800+ songs made on different rigs across many years. Piecing it all together was a big challenge but in the end it was worth it. 

Is there a song that is particularly close to your heart?

I’d say ‘NASKAR‘, as it was the song i recorded after my first heartbreak. I was 19 and that same recording with all the instruments and voice is from that time. I didn’t change a thing. I left it as a raw, unfiltered emotion of my first heartbreak, recorded in .wav format (laughs). 

You’ve both worked and toured with OneRepublic. How are they as tour buddies? You must be close. Where does that connection come from?

They’re awesome. I’ve been a fan since I was a child. Also they’re very humble and just genuinely great people. I’m grateful to call them friends. 

You’ve worked on a few gaming projects. Are you a big gamer? How do you unwind after a day (or night!) in the studio?

I am yes. I unwind by playing video games. I also think that some video games can be very important pieces of art that (just like music) can save lives, such as Dark Souls. 

You played London this year, how was it? Do you have plans to come back?

This was my first show outside Saudi! We sold out Camden Assembly which is a legendary space. I’m definitely coming back. Thank you so much London! 

What’s next for you?

To keep improving and learning everyday; to give you the listener more of my absolute best.

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‘HOME IS CHANGING’ is out now.

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