Captivating vocals, atmospheric electronics and commanding percussion collide on ‘Walk’, the latest single from Sufi-inspired singer and composer, Mentrix. The track is lifted from her debut album, My Enemy, My Love; which is set for release via her female-led record label, House of Strength, on 3rd April.
Born in Iran but now based in Berlin, Mentrix (aka Samar Rad) blends her experiences of eastern and western culture, along with traditional Sufi instrumentation to create her beguiling, bold soundscapes. Mentrix moved to France aged eight to escape war in her home country. At age fourteen, she moved back and had to relearn her Farsi mother tongue from scratch. She then spent time in the UK before settling in Germany. Her extensive travels and multiple influences – from Latin, French Literature, The Qu’ran, to traditional Persian poetry – give her music a diverse and fascinating edge.
Her single ‘Walk’ is accompanied by an equally fascinating set of visuals, which Mentrix produced herself. The footage contains motifs that symbolize womanhood, unity, solidarity and spirituality, from the urban scenes in Tehran, to the beautiful dunes of the Iranian desert. “It is very important for me to associate my music with the landscape of Iran,” explains Mentrix. “I am forever attached to my birth place, and my identity and aspirations are very rooted in Iranian culture. Since the West so often portrays Iran in a questionable way, I feel obliged to share its diverse and positive faces to the world.”
Mentrix plans to do just that with her debut album, My Enemy, My Love. It’s a powerful exploration of female resilience, independence, and what happens when women are caught between two cultures, each filled with their own flaws and freedoms. Watch the video for ‘Walk’ below, and follow Mentrix on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.
Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut
Get In Her Ears 