Last week Saint Levant dropped his second new song of the year with the release of the thrumming and cinematic track “5am in Paris.” The track arrived ahead of his performance at Coachella this past weekend, where fans will have the chance to see him again during weekend two over on the Gobi Stage this Saturday, April 20th from 9:15-9:55pm. Alongside his previous single “Deira” the songs serve as the first preview of his forthcoming new project.
Propelled by a pulsating beat and instrumental rhythms “5am in Paris” finds Saint Levant syncing the yearning of the Palestinian diaspora to a heady dance track. Weaving in and out of French, English, and Arabic the song elicits an energizing longing alongside seamlessly intoxicating grooves. “It’s been calling my name / But I don’t feel at home,” he confesses within the build-up toward one of its pulsating drops.
If you heeded our advice about 7 Must-See Bands & Artists at Coachella 2024, then you probably caught his ecstatic debut during weekend one where he shared both “5am in Paris” and “Deira.” Persisting through technical issues the Palestinian-Algerian artist gave a rousing performance of his debut album From Gaza, With Love, bringing with him a trio of special guests in Playyard, Bayou, and Naïka.
“It’s about exile,” Levant reportedly said of the new single. “A feeling that us Palestinians know a bit too well.” His set also resounded with chants of “Free Palestine” followed by Palestinian flags and keffiyehs appearing throughout the crowd in solidarity.
“Coachella, my name is Saint Levant and I was born in Jerusalem and raised in Gaza,” he announced to the audience. “As I hope all of you are aware, the people of Gaza have been undergoing a brutal, brutal genocide for the past six months. And the people of Palestine have been undergoing a brutal occupation for the past 75 years.”
The music video for “5am in Paris” contextualizes Palestinian displacement and an unmoored sense of identity. Directed by Carlos Ramirez, with Rashid Abdelhamid as executive producer and Pedro Damasceno as creative director, the neo-noir film pictures Saint Levant brooding over memories and scenes that celebrate the bonds shared between the Palestinian people both in Gaza and abroad.
ARTISTS YOU SHOULD KNOW
RECENT BEST NEW MUSIC
Words: Steven Ward
Catch Saint Levant at Coachella weekend two on the Gobi Stage this Saturday, April 20th from 9:15-9:55pm.
Visit Saint Levant on his website, TikTok, and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
Watch the music video for “5am in Paris” the new single from Saint Levant below!
