Zar Electrik pays homage to North African cultures, with the band’s name calling back to the ancient Zar ritual originating from Ethiopia and Egypt. Zar is a trance state; it is also the name of the religious brotherhoods of Egypt and of Ethiopia, who use this trance state as a conduit for healing through connection with the spirit world. They transform this history into electronic trance dance music that knows no codes or borders.

Zar Electrik began as the meeting of three friends from Marseilles: Anass Zine, brings his mesmerizing North African-influenced vocals and a range of traditional instruments including the gumbri and the oud. Arthur Péneau, adding baritone and hybrid African influences through his electric kora. The final element is Miosine (Didier Simione) who adds his knowledge and mastery of machines, synthesizers, and electronic music codes to transform ancient music into 21st century sorcery. The result is a rich, vibrant, transcendent journey between the Maghreb, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the West.

— Shereen Samuels