A roundup of new Israeli songs released this week.
Some new Israeli songs we think you should know about as you head into the weekend. Shabbat shalom from MyIsraeliMusic.com!
1. Static’s New Album – “Liraz”
The big news this week? Static is out with his long-awaited solo album, his first effort ever since parting ways from Ben-El Tavori. And after conquering the country (and the world) as his alter-ego “Static”, he’s ready for the public to get to know his real identity, Liraz Russo. Static and a team of producers and creators “locked” themselves in a villa in Caesarea for a month, and are finally ready to unveil their creations.
The album contains deep and honest texts that reveal new sides of Static, with the idea that everyone already knows Static, but there is another whole side of Liraz that has not yet seen the light of day. Static: “I went through an extraordinary year full of bumps both personally and professionally. I got divorced twice [from his wife, Sarit Pollak, as well as from Ben-El] and it crushed me both as a person and as a musician. Everyone knows me from the beginning as part of a duo and suddenly there is no longer a duo. At the same time my relationship also collapsed and this made me realize that I have to take a step back…and to go out and discover Liraz and Static again, and that’s where the growth and creation came from.”
The album features collaborations with Eden Ben Zaken, Agam Buchbut, and Itay Levy, as well as nine additional songs from Static himself. Listen to the entire album here.
2. Yehuda Poliker – Mevulbal (Confused)
In 1996, Michael Gerzon passed away at age 50. In addition to his work in math, physics, acoustics, and digital audio (he invented the first stereo microphone), he was also a gifted poet. Shortly after his passing, his friend Gilad Keren translated his poems into Hebrew. Yehuda Poliker took note and was moved by the poetry. He set many of the songs to music, and even recorded them in 2007. However, 16 years later, one of these recordings is finally seeing the light of day. In light of the division in Israel nowadays, Poliker felt that the lyrics now take on a whole new meaning.
“And if you think I have answers // it’s an illusion //
I’m confused confused confused // I’m looking for truth and I’ve found a lot //
But the illusion of truth is shattered // by a light breeze of reality..”
3. Eden Hason – Shuv (Return)
Eden Hason begins 2023 as one of the most listened to singers in all of Israel. He topped the Spotify and Apple Music charts as the most-streamed artist of 2022, and shows no signs of slowing down. This soft, authentic new ballad, written by Eden himself, once again allows Eden to open up and share a piece of himself with his many fans.
4. Amir Benayoun – Shuv MeChadash (Starting Over Again)
Though the video just might make you a little dizzy, Amir Benayoun’s newest single is a return to his roots as he reunites with producer Shmulik Daniel. “20 years have passed since the release of his first album ‘Only You’,” the press release reads, “a significant milestone in his career and in Israeli music in general. Amir Benayoun’s songs capture hearts thanks to his unique voice, his delivery full of emotion, his unique sound and the moving lyrics. Amir Benayoun, an Israeli singer-songwriter, one of the most decorated and respected in Israeli music for years, releases a new single and returns to collaborate with music producer Shmulik Daniel, with whom he collaborated at the beginning of his career.” On May 11, Amir will celebrate his upcoming album with a special concert at Ampi Shuni in Binyamina.
5. Tamir Greenberg – Roses
An Israeli singer who sings ENTIRELY in English. That’s been the marketing strategy behind Tamir Greenberg – and it’s working. The former “HaKochav Haba” winner is enjoying a flurry of popularity in Israel over the past year, with a number of huge singles and many sold-out concerts behind him. Tamir wrote the words and melody for the new song, and is very excited to share it with the world. “The song ‘ROSES’ was written years ago,” Tamir writes, “and since then I have always looked for how to touch it and refine it, in the production, the arrangement, the text. Recently, everything has gathered and crystallized into the creation that I have been waiting to play for you for a very long time.”
6. Queenta Ensemble – Shoshana
On March 23, Israeli musical diva Shoshana Damari would have turned 100 years old. She’s been gone since 2006, but her legacy lives on in a big way. Now, five accomplished female musicians breathe new life into her repertoire. While musician Chen Levy was working on the artistic direction of the inaugural “Queenta” Festival in Israel for female jazz, which included ensembles led by female musicians only, she watched Kobi Farange’s documentary film “Queen Shoshana” about Shoshana Damari. She discovered that Shoshana – the queen of Israeli music – actually had strong ties to the Jazz community overseas. Shoshana performed with Dizzy Gillespie’s orchestra at the Canada Jazz Festival, and established a close relationship with another queen, Nina Simone. Chen decided that the Queenta Festival would center around the music of Shoshana Damari, with an album to follow. Listen to the entire album here, and read more of Chen’s story in The Jerusalem Post.
Heard any other great new songs lately? Let us know in the comments!