Delving into the recent past in order to revisit forward-thinking projects that, owing to the social, musical or outright political climate, struggled to find an audience, Lost Futures returns with a record from Cairo based project, PanSTARRS. An assured and intriguing blend of post-punk and electronics, ‘Ghaby Ghaby Ghaby’ is the confident and personal work of Youssef Abouzeid, a fixture within Egypt’s unique underground music scene.

“At the time, I was actively occupied by arguments on the fusion of culture in creative context, specifically between western and arabic elements.” recalls PanSTARRS founder, Youssef Abouzeid. "The goal was to find a point of natural expression within Arabic songwriting that meets electronic guitar music, and put out something seriously inspired by both and easy on my ear."

By far the heaviest release from the PanSTARRS project at the time, ‘Ghaby Ghaby Ghaby’ immediately establishes a superior sense of rhythm. ‘Khally Balak Hatmoot’ practises instant hypnosis, Abouzeid’s earnest vocals beckoning outsiders forward over a layer of feedback occupied by a ghostly shift, one which breaks to release a crescendo of post-punk guitar. This sense of subtle drama continues on ‘Men Gheir Wa7da’, demonstrating a skill for songwriting that recalls the uncompromising approach of The Birthday Party or Lydia Lunch.

‘Tortit Naml’ is driven by skittish, rapid-fire drums and tense guitars, either subverting or confirming it’s subtly anthemic status with a dramatic explosion of feedback. ‘Sala Ya Khaifa’ brings respite, a mellow and earnest slow-burner, the bubbling spoils of the PanSTARRS studio providing a wistful texture drenched in reverb. Finally, ‘70mar 3ala 7osan’ sees Abouzeid give his voice over to those same machines, burying his barbed perspective in contrary analogue bliss.

Half a decade later, Abouzeid’s optimism and experimentation are certain to resonate on a scale beyond that of Cairo’s defiant underground music scene.

“Working on everything myself, I enjoyed total creative freedom and kept an organic flow of dirt and error, which was key on this record”, recalls Abouzeid. “Sometimes vocals were recorded as lyrics came spontaneously, sometimes written on paper and then recorded on first takes, but I always prioritized the moment while keeping the perspective in check.”

Tracklist:
A1. Khally Balak Hatmoot
A2. Men Gheir Wa7da
B1. Tortit Naml
B2. Sahla Ya Khaifa
B3. 7omar 3ala 7osan

https://lostfutures.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/lostfuturesrecordings

https://panstarrs.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/panstarrs

Ghaby Ghaby Ghaby

LF002 PANSTARRS - SAHLA YA KHAIFA

"This mix was initially recorded in anticipation of our party in early April, which sadly is not to be. Now it's a reluctant replacement. Where once it would have been a celebration of one's body and the bodies of others, it is now a soundtrack to reach and touch through the aether.

It's one hour of peak time gear, slightly more disco leaning but plenty of punk, techno and electro to keep revellers on their toes." (Bleaching Agent)

LF PODCAST 011 - BODY HORROR

"I'm a big fan of Brazilian music, I find it lifts my mood, as it's so joyous, even though I dont speak Portuguese and as such i've accumulated a lot of Brazilian records over the years. I've always wanted to put some of them in some sort of sequential order, but never really got round to it. These are some of my favourites, and you can even dance to the second half. I hope it brings you sunshine and joy in these weird times." (Ben Morris, 2020)

LF PODCAST 012 - BEN MORRIS

LF002 PANSTARRS - 7OMAR 3ALA 7OSAN

LF002 PANSTARRS - TORTIT NAML

LF002 PANSTARRS - MEN GHEIR WA7DA

LF002 PANSTARRS -  KHALLY BALAK HATMOOT

Lost Futures is a new label that explores experimental and often radical approaches to dance music from the past. In a musical landscape that increasingly claims to seek and reward new forms and ideas, Lost Futures delves into the recent past to revisit forward-thinking, optimistic projects that, owing to the social, musical or outright political climate, perhaps struggled to find an audience. Allowing only time to re-contextualise these leftfield, sometimes misunderstood and ultimately human bodies of work, Lost Futures taps into the inherent idealism of rave.

Lost Futures

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