Izabo

Izabo sounds like a fever dream where a 70s disco club was built in the middle of a Mediterranean bazaar. The music is defined by Ran Shem-Tov's distinctive, ultra-high falsetto and his 'Arab-flavored' guitar work, which uses microtonal bends and staccato phrasing to create a sound that is simultaneously exotic and familiar. It is rock music that refuses to sit still, constantly pivoting between psychedelic fuzz and tight, danceable grooves.

What makes them truly distinctive is the 'arrogant' catchiness of their arrangements. They layer kitschy synthesizers over heavy, funky basslines that feel like they were pulled from a lost French house record, then top it off with rock energy. It is a maximalist approach where every instrument is competing for your attention, yet it all coalesces into something incredibly tight and professional. They manage to be eccentric without being inaccessible, blending Middle Eastern melodic sensibilities with Western pop structures.

Start with 'The Fun Makers' to hear the band at their most raw and inventive. The track 'Morning Hero' perfectly encapsulates their ability to write a massive indie anthem, while 'Cook Me' showcases the weirder, funkier side of their DNA. It is the ideal entry point for anyone who likes their rock music with a heavy dose of rhythm and a touch of the surreal.