Since 2023, over 1.9 million Palestinians have been displaced from the Gaza strip. After generations of bombings and displacement, the preservation of Palestnian narratives remain paramount. In the face of genocide, the stories of remarkable Palestnian resilence uphold an unwavering belief in liberation.

Art has always played a major role towards the documentation and catalyzation of social change, and for global pop artist Elyanna, sophomore album GHAZALI is a declaration of pride for her Palestnian-Chilean identity. The nine-track record comes two years after her debut album Woledto and a world tour with Coldplay. “This album is my journey,” Elyanna says, “the Ghazali represents the young girl in me from Nazareth, Palestine, who got to collect art from around the world.” 

GHAZALI is named after the gazelle, an icon of beauty, grace, and freedom in Middle Eastern folklore. Her songwriting, an intricate mosaic of Arabic, English, and Spanish, depicts the gazelle as a woman carrying peace through music, prevailing from the forces that seek to constrain her. The gazelle prances free, despite war and heartbreak.

Titular “Ghazali” flips a traditional wedding chant into an anthem of independence. Family tradition is baked into the track, executive produced by Elyanna’s brother Feras and features their mother as a contributing writer and vocalist. 

Cross-cultural influences are found through the rest of the album: “Sunburn” is inspired by translated poems by Rumi, embodying the sun as a force that endures across arbitrary borders. “Manifesto” is a cover of Chilean icon Victor Jara and “Burlesq” pulls from Spanish folk and 20th century Egyptian cabaret. 

GHAZALI is an inventive synthesis across cultures, generations, and genres, and a nuanced portrait of Elyanna’s background and blossoming career. The record is a rich euphony of lively drums, somber string arrangements, and drifting vocals. Through it all, Elyanna says, the sun shall rise again.