Ziyad Al-Samman shares new single “Hard To Say”
Previous praise for Ziyad Al-Samman:
“Touches of Lee Hazlewood and both Elvises, Presley and Costello, on this suave swooner from the Jordan-born, London-based swinger” – The Times
“Sweet and sleazy” – So Young Magazine
“if you need a new addition to your emotional drunk bus ride home playlist, look no further” – DIY
“Deep, connected lyricism and tales of friendship and identity.” – Gigwise
--
Today, half-Syrian, London-based songwriter Ziyad Al-Samman returns with swooning, hook-heavy new single “Hard To Say”. Released via Handsome Dad Records (Jerkcurb, The Big Moon, Aldous RH, Babeheaven), the track comes on the heels of recent singles “Dark Horse” and “Madness”, which saw Ziyad earn plaudits across a variety of press and radio, as well as early packed out shows across the country.
Brought up in Amman, Jordan and now living deep within the belly of London, Ziyad has been quietly brewing and refining his tales of friendships, love, and identity. Cutting his teeth and honing his chops in numerous bands - he’s has recently stepped out solo without any baggage.
Experimenting with abstract synth sounds and colours, and weaving them together with dreamy guitars, he retains the psych pop sensibilities he has established in various projects. Over the years searching for the fine-tuned alchemy of sounds he now presents, Ziyad has added a deft production string to his bow, fully losing himself in sound and sentiment.
“Relationship crashed and my old band decided to call it a day.” This string of events sparked the creation of the Ziyad Al-Samman solo project and led him to this single. Heavily influenced by crooners such as Edwin Collins and Roy Orbison and their dramatic, but romantic lyrics, “Hard To Say” sees Ziyad take these influences and merge them with his unique psychedelic charms with hazy retro synths, swaggering guitars lines, and his intoxicatingly sweet yet melancholic vocals.
Speaking about the track Ziyad says: "I always wanted a charming and pompous ‘lala’ sing along on a track, much used by my favourites Pulp and Blur in their early writing, and this just fit the song perfectly. I like the innocence and playfulness it brings to the climax of the song. Did you know ‘la’ actually means ‘no’ in Arabic?”
He goes on to say, “writing this originally light-hearted song made me wake up and realise I needed to be more honest with my feelings and not lead people on. The song is about commitment, a common struggle amongst us, it’s about looking for comfort and convenience in selfish ways, which often hurt others when you’re not communicating your true feelings.”
Recorded in his “tiny shell of a council flat” in the quiet moments whilst his housemates were at work, “Hard To Say” also sees Ziyad enlist the help of Tarek Musa (of Dead Nature) on drums, and Yehan Jehan (of Quasi Qui) for mixing duties.
The new single is also accompanied by a new video directed by Andrea Mae Perez. The visual is a delirious and playful drama introducing ‘Big Z’ a distorted future caricature shot on VHS around Hackney.
WATCH / SHARE THE VIDEO FOR “HARD TO SAY” HERE
Speaking about the video director Andrea says:
“Ziyad plays “Small Z”, a frustrated young man trying to realise his dreams of becoming a successful musician. On one fateful day, a (literal) big-headed version of himself appears. “Big Z” personifies everything Small Z hasn’t yet achieved: the lavish clothing, the protection and service from a bodyguard and a driver, the fans and reporters following him wherever he goes… Small Z can’t seem to escape the fear that he’ll never be worthy. Until it becomes too unbearable, and he has no other choice but to face it..."
Ziyad says, “Big Z's presence, haunts me everywhere I go, as he is just a fragment of my imagination - a tongue in cheek representation of the struggle between who I am now & who my ego thinks I should be."
In addition to the new single and video, Ziyad has also announced details of a single release show at Paper Dress Vintage, which is due to take place on 6th October – Tickets are available HERE
“Hard To Say” is the continuation of a ceaseless hunt for words and sounds that make your hairs stand. The new single is the latest in a series of songs that refuse to be brushed under the carpet, and this quest for timeless songwriting means Ziyad never re-treads old ground, constantly evolving and finding new avenues of his own creativity to explore. With just three critically acclaimed singles to-date now is the perfect time to join him on this journey.
LIVE DATES
6 Oct – Paper Dress Vintage, London
15 Oct – La Maroquinerie, Paris w/ Findlay
1 Dec – The Hope & Anchor w/ Yumi & The Weather, Brighton
