With Where is my baby?, Sheykh Forever delivers a striking example of how contemporary indie pop can simultaneously look backward and forward, merging nostalgia with futuristic experimentation. The track is the latest evolution in the creative journey of Iraqi-born writer, producer, and performer Mostafa Al, the mind behind Sheykh Forever. Known for crafting earworms that straddle disco, heavy rock, and hypnagogic indie pop—all infused with a groove-driven, funk-laden sensibility—Sheykh Forever has once again produced a release of undeniable quality, one that resonates both emotionally and rhythmically.
At its core, Where is my baby? is a piece that balances immediacy with subtle complexity. The song opens with a rhythmic pulse that instantly grabs the listener’s attention. The percussion is crisp, direct, and minimal in its construction, yet powerful in its effect, setting a strong backbone for the entire track. The rhythm moves forward with an insistence that mirrors the lyrical theme of searching, longing, and desire. Rather than overwhelming the mix, the beat provides a steady framework, allowing the other elements to weave in and out with fluid grace.
Synth textures play a crucial role in shaping the atmosphere of the track. Layers of electronic sound glide across the rhythm, alternating between shimmering brightness and darker, more shadowy tones. These synth lines never remain static; they morph and evolve as the song progresses, enhancing the sense of movement and restlessness that underpins the lyrical narrative. The production makes deliberate use of space, leaving room for each element to breathe while still ensuring a dense, immersive soundscape.
Central to the track’s emotional impact is the collaboration with KER, whose vocals serve as both anchor and highlight. Her ethereal delivery, steeped in lament, conveys the question posed in the title with poignant clarity: who will listen to those who have nothing left to lose? The vocal line floats above the rhythmic foundation and the swirling synths, creating a striking contrast between fragility and strength. The repetition of her plea gives the track its hypnotic pull, embedding itself in the listener’s consciousness long after the music fades.
The overall atmosphere of Where is my baby? is one of haunting beauty. It occupies a liminal space between dancefloor energy and introspective melancholy. On one hand, the steady beat and funk-tinged undertones invite physical movement; on the other, the layered synths and aching vocals encourage reflection. This duality is precisely what makes the track so compelling: it refuses to be confined to a single emotional register.
As with much of Sheykh Forever’s work, genre boundaries are deliberately blurred. Disco’s groove, rock’s weight, and indie pop’s dreamlike qualities all coalesce here, though the electronic presence is perhaps more pronounced than in earlier releases. The result is music that feels familiar yet entirely new, situated “somewhere between yesteryear and the distant future,” as Sheykh Forever’s ethos suggests.
Where is my baby? is more than just a song; it is an atmosphere, a statement, and a question left hanging in the air. With its carefully balanced rhythm, inventive synth work, and emotionally charged vocal delivery, the release affirms Sheykh Forever’s place as one of the most intriguing projects in today’s indie pop landscape. It is a high-quality release we are proud to host on our webzine, a track that captures both the urgency of the present and the echoes of a timeless search for connection.