KAZDOURA SHARE PLAYFUL NEW SINGLE ‘BUKRA’ AHEAD OF FORTHCOMING ALBUM ‘MARKAB’

New album lands 4 December via Habibi Funk

Toronto-based Syrian-Lebanese duo Kazdoura are back with ‘Bukra’, a playful, psychedelic new single taken from their forthcoming album Markab, arriving 4 December via Habibi Funk. Blending Arabic melodies with groove-led instrumentation, the track finds the duo exploring the possibility of reconnecting with a past love – trading regret for curiosity and a little reckless romance.

Meaning “tomorrow”, ‘Bukra’ imagines a fresh start with someone from the past, whether a former lover, a place or a person no longer around. Rather than dwelling on what went wrong, the song asks a simple question: what if they met again tomorrow? Its easy-going spirit marks a lighter, more playful turn for Kazdoura, with vocalist Leen Hamo describing it as one of the tracks she’s particularly curious to hear listeners respond to.

Written by Hamo and multi-instrumentalist John Abou Chacra, the single brings together Arabic melodic traditions and a loose, psychedelic groove. Recorded at Raccoon and Giant in Toronto, it was co-produced by David Matta and mixed by Tom Nixon, with a live band arrangement featuring guitar, bass, synth, saxophone, keys, drums and percussion.

‘Bukra’ arrives amid a strong run for the duo, following a COLORS Studios performance, the success of their debut album Ghoyoum – the first Arabic-language album to win a JUNO Award – and a string of sold-out shows worldwide. Previous single ‘Khayal’ has also amassed 2.5 million streams, while ‘Taa’ featured in a COLORS live session and ‘Ala Mahlak’ was accompanied by a video in October.

Their second album, Markab – meaning “vehicle” – sees Kazdoura stepping into a more confident and joyful creative chapter. Where Ghoyoum was shaped by upheaval and uncertainty, the new record finds the duo firmly rooted in the present, expanding their sound through psychedelic and Anatolian rock, indie, jazz, Afrobeat and Gnawa, all threaded through Arabic maqamat.

“I feel like I’m in a new phase in my life,” says Hamo. “I got over some emotions. I feel like I processed them through the first album.” Abou Chacra adds: “With this album, we’re more confident in our sound now. We know musically what direction we are going for.”

Formed in Toronto in 2020, Kazdoura bring together Hamo’s Syrian classical music background and Abou Chacra’s Lebanese roots and rock-jazz influences, forging a distinctive musical identity that bridges Arabic tradition and contemporary global sounds.

‘Bukra’ is out now. Markab arrives 4 December via Habibi Funk.

Watch and listen to ‘Bukra’ here: Kazdoura – ‘Bukra’