Dunya Mustafa

Dunya, the title of Mustafa’s masterfully crafted and tender full-length debut, translates from Arabic to “the world in all its flaws.” It's an ambitious theme for a young songwriter, but Mustafa approaches it with a deeply personal lens, reflecting on themes central to his work: religious devotion, childhood trauma, gang violence, and romantic intimacy. Blending genres and weaving novelistic details into instantly memorable folk songs.

The first striking element of Mustafa’s music is his writing: simple yet piercing, with a tone that makes any story feel as raw and heartfelt as a love song. His hushed delivery has the power to silence his surroundings. From a child prodigy reciting poems in his native Toronto, Mustafa evolved into a behind-the-scenes pop songwriting force. On Dunya, he emerges as a full-fledged auteur.

“I’m trying to preserve and celebrate the ordinary life in the hood,” Mustafa explains, reflecting on his lyrical inspiration. His songs explore his upbringing and journey forward, disarming in their simplicity while layered in emotional depth.

Featuring collaborations with artists like Aaron Dessner, Rosalía, Clairo, Nicolas Jaar, Daniel Caesar, and Snoh Aalegra, alongside his longtime creative partner Simon Hessman, Dunya showcases a confident, distinctive voice. Mustafa, even when tackling grand themes, speaks only for himself – a story that feels like it's just beginning.

Available to pre-order now

Released on Friday 27th September 2024