The title of Tunisian-American artist and activist Emel Mathlouthi’s new album under her EMEL moniker, MRA, is an apt name, though also one that simplifies the many lyrical themes that bring these songs to life. Taken from the Arabic word for “woman,” the album celebrates female creativity while delving into topics of critical importance in this day and age, ranging from imbalanced power dynamics fortified by capitalism to surviving sexual assault. In doing so, Mathlouthi ensured that her entire team of collaborators on the project—including producers and guest vocalists—could fully empathize with these issues by only bringing women on to work on MRA.
That sense of intentionality shines through in every facet of the record, whether it be the rousing anthems celebrating freedom or the softer pleas for it in the face of oppression. Like the album title, many of the tracks were named for Arabic words that sum up or otherwise symbolize the ongoing fight to break free from the shackles imposed on us by restrictive governments and suffocating gender norms. “Souty,” for example, serves as a tribute to EMEL’s voice both literally as a singer and metaphorically as a figure pushing an agenda for peace in a wounded world.
With the record out today, you can stream the whole project below, and read on for EMEL’s track-by-track breakdown of MRA in which she defines each song title and the ideas behind them.
1. “Massive Will”
A song about breaking free from all the chains. In a world where value is only determined through ugly power dynamics, it’s crucial to claim our freedom loud and high with no compromises while uniting our voices with the less powerful to fight together against the oppression of capitalism.
2. “Nar” (feat. Ami Yerewolo)
“Nar” means “fire” in Arabic. This song is about the female fire and reclaiming our most ancient power. Female creativity is amazing and infinite—today is a new day and our fire cannot be tamed anymore.
3. “L’amour” (feat. Justina)
“L’amour” means “love” in French. It’s a tribute to how love makes us stronger and complete. With love we have everything we need. It’s a dense and piercing feeling that makes us feel alive even when everything else is losing meaning. Love is the vessel that always brings us back to our true self.
4. “Lose My Mind” (feat. Nayomi)
This song is about a relationship that became dull and empty. Words are incomprehensible and there’s no more understanding of each other.
5. “Souty”
“Souty” means “my voice” in Arabic. It’s a tribute to both the voice as the most beautiful, delicate organ and our most powerful weapon at once. An essential asset for fighting one's inner demons, exorcizing one's sorrows and frustrations, throwing beauty on ugliness, putting a bandage on one's wounds and those of the world around us. My voice literally, but also figuratively. At a time where all our values are collapsing and humanity is depleting, we must believe in this voice that we have which can change things. Every voice counts, and it’s the strongest thing we have to resist oppression.
6. “Mazel” (feat. Camélia Jordana)
“Mazel” is the true story of a sexual assault on a trans woman when she was a child. She recalls the night of her assault with visceral detail—the pain, the smells, the sounds—while at the same time being determined to own her narrative and her future. “Mazel” means “not yet” in Arabic, and in this context it means “I still have hope to build my future; I still believe in my power to build a new world.”
7. “Tmannit”
“Tmannit” means “I wish.” It’s the plea of the immigrant for dignity and a decent life. As the chorus roars with the choir, it just echoes the pain of seeing dreams fade away under the hardness of life.
8. “I’ll Leave”
This song is about a daughter seeking wisdom from her dad while feeling quite hopeless in front of a world where people are suffering and our values are disappearing to let money rule with no care for humanity’s well-being.
9. “Idha” (feat. Eva Xolordia)
“Idha” means “if.” This song is about finding freedom and breaking free from all the pain. Life is very unfair, the world is very unjust, and sometimes it seems as if there’s no end to the violence and injustices—and that’s where we take refuge in the powerful quest for freedom and, ultimately, for love.
10. “Pride”
The daughter of the wind, playing with the stars, riding the waves and flying on top of the mountains. Daughter of fire and snow, daughter of iron and clouds, daughter of thunder and dreams. Female empowerment, women revolution.
11. “Rise”
Rising from its ashes to the light, like a phoenix with sisterhood.
12. “Nar II”
It may be the rainbow after the rain, or the first rays of light of a new day, that may carry more hope. It may be some beats and melodies that wash away the pain and save us from bitterness.
