24 Mar 2020 // A review by IslaMusic
Activist and musician Yasamin’s single October was written about the ongoing anti-government protests in Iraq and inspired by the hideousness of the Christchurch mosque shooting. She used the song as an outlet, and in an attempt to bring more attention to the “ongoing brutality being used against peaceful protestors in Iraq”. October is the first song to be released from Yasamin’s upcoming album Songs Over Baghdad.

The song begins with plodding guitar and breathy vocals stating, “wake me up when October ends, I can’t watch you murder these perfect men”. There is a nonchalant tone to Yasamin’s performance, which heightens the regularity of these severe acts of violence and hate against peace. She seems worn down by the evil in the world. The song is simple. Stripped back and bare, it allows the message to be communicated with sincerity. The shifting pulse of October paints the unsettled feeling that resonates in a nation after such an awful event.

Yasamin attacks the masculinity of the people who take part in the violence in Iraq with the hook line “no real man hides behind a gun”, which is left to be sung acapella at the end of the track. The message that “peace will always win, if not now, then in the end” is both powerful and important.

October is a charming acoustic peace that is easy to listen to despite its heavy subject matter. Keep an eye out for the full length album to be released this year.

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ ( 5 / 5 )

Yasamin is a Aotearoa-based 'artivist', musician and songwriter who is incredibly dedicated to using her artistic voice to draw attention to what is happening in her birthplace of Baghdad, and to her people every day. Her album is due for release later in the year, with further singles to come.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Yasamin

View All Articles By IslaMusic

• 1
  Anxiety Club
• 2
  Devilskin
• 3
  Coridian
• 4
  Take Hold
• 5
  Skinny Hobos
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  Head Like A Hole
• 8
  Shihad
• 9
  Villainy
• 10
  Katchafire

• 
  When The Cats Away @ Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington - 21/04/2024
• 
  Luke Buda @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 20/04/2024
• 
  Phoebe Rings @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 20/04/2024
• 
  Geoff Ong @ Big Fan, Auckland - 19/04/2024

• 1
  TOO SWEET
  Hozier
• 2
  BEAUTIFUL THINGS
  Benson Boone
• 3
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 4
  I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME
  Artemas
• 5
  SATURN
  SZA
• 6
  STICK SEASON
  Noah Kahan
• 7
  END OF BEGINNING
  Djo
• 8
  LIKE THAT
  Future And Metro Boomin feat. Kendrick Lamar
• 9
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 10
  WE CAN'T BE FRIENDS (WAIT FOR YOUR LOVE)
  Ariana Grande

View the Full NZ Top 40...

100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem

• Privacy Policy
• Disclaimer
• Copyright Statement

• Contact
• Advertising
• About Us