The 18-year-old Palestinian oud virtuoso Samih Madhoun has released “Oud Music from Gaza Volume 2” (June 20th, 2025). This follow-up to his 2024 debut remains a profound testament to the enduring power of art in the face of unimaginable adversity. The album was recorded entirely in the Gaza Strip, and throughout these recordings, you can hear the everyday sounds of life in Gaza, including ambulance sirens, rubble being moved and cleared, a reminder of the ongoing unchecked hell the Palestinians face.
The U.N. Special Committee to investigate Israeli practices said in a report released in September last year:
“Since the beginning of the war, Israeli officials have publicly supported policies that strip Palestinians of the very necessities required to sustain life — food, water, and fuel,” the Committee said. “These statements along with the systematic and unlawful interference of humanitarian aid make clear Israel’s intent to instrumentalise life-saving supplies for political and military gains.”
Nearly a year later, this feels a far worse – This month, it was reported that the U.N. human rights office had recorded 613 Palestinians killed within a month in Gaza while trying to obtain aid, most of them while trying to reach GHF sites.
Following the path of its predecessor, Samih Madhoun’s “Volume 2” weaves together traditional melodies, contemporary compositions, and his own original work. His oud playing, honed through daily performances to uplift the spirits of his community, has reached new levels of mastery. This, combined with a greater emphasis on his emotive vocals, has yielded a more powerful narrative.
The project is a grassroots effort of artistic solidarity, spearheaded by UK-based underground artists Dr Ergo Phizmiz and Lottie [Depresstival] Bowater, who have been collaborating with Palestinian artists since late 2023 to raise money for a network of friends in Gaza. They mastered and post-produced the recordings, ensuring Madhoun’s powerful music could reach a worldwide audience.
As with the first volume, “Oud Music from Gaza Volume 2” will be available exclusively on Bandcamp. All proceeds will serve as direct financial support for Madhoun and his community, providing essential aid.
From the release notes:
Samih’s music speaks of the resilience, heartbreak, humour, pragmatism, efficiency and stoicism of the Palestinian people, and stands as a testament to their remarkable spirit, oppressed for generations.