Charlotte de Witte has fused underground techno, Persian culture, and artificial intelligence to create her latest release, an EP titled ‘Azadi’. Set for release on KNTXT on the 5th November, the EP features NAVA (Farbod Mehr’s AI musical entity) to create a release that turns the dance floor into a platform for cultural expression, rebellion, and hope.
The EP centres around the Farsi word for freedom, ‘Azadi’, with pounding beats, dark acid tones, and soaring echoing vocals from NAVA. It then carries on into ‘Omid’, a song meaning hope, with driving basslines and punchy electronic elements. The EP finishes off with ‘Tales of the Desert’, a track filled with slow chord progressions, soft tones, and melodic vocals.
NAVA was created by Farbod Mehr, an Iranian artist based in London. She has created a beautiful blend between Persian culture and digital art and technology. She brings a classic look to her visuals and has brought back traditional Persian influences in her music but with a futuristic twist. This has led to her becoming a virtual artist with a wide audience. NAVA represents Iranian women who aren’t allowed the freedom to perform. As she is an AI character, she can carry a message without the personal impact that Iranian women may face. The artists want to bring attention to those whose voices are being silenced.
For Mehr, ‘Azadi’ helps connect the generations by bringing Persian culture, poetry, and music into the modern era. The main theme is to show that no matter how dark the night gets, there is still hope for a new dawn. This release has a real charitable aspect too. All of the money from the EP will be going to Femena. Femena help women human rights defenders and feminist groups throughout the SWANA region and Asia.
This follows de Witte continuing her rise in the electronic scene. She has been named as the world’s top Techno DJ for the 7th time and has made it into the top 10 DJs poll at number 6.
‘Azadi’ EP is out November 5th on KNTXT. Get it HERE.
Tracklist:
A1: Charlotte de Witte feat. NAVA – Azadi
A2: Charlotte de Witte feat. NAVA – Omid
B1: Charlotte de Witte feat. NAVA – Tales of the Desert
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