Nemahsis, a Palestinian-Canadian singer-songwriter and social activist from Toronto, unveils her powerful new single and video, “Coloured Concrete,” a sonic testament to her resilience and authenticity. The singer-songwriter also announced the release of her highly anticipated debut album, Verbathim, set to be released independently on September 13th under her own imprint of the same name.
“Coloured Concrete” delves into self-reflection and making the most of life when handed with challenges, symbolized by the weight of “concrete on my feet.” The accompanying video, directed by Norman Wong and Amy Gardner and produced by Denim is a poetic and artistic representation of this theme, depicting Nemahsis dancing after metaphorically breaking free from that which once held her back. The song evokes the awakening from an almost impenetrable dream-like state to the realization that life can be whatever we make it. Through vivid lyricism, Nemahsis explores the tension between dreams and reality, capturing the struggles and joy of life.
Verbathim marks a significant milestone in her career, coming after being dropped from her record label last October due to her outspoken activism regarding the genocide in Gaza. The debut album documents her journey of self-acceptance, growth, and love, blending a variety of genres to express these themes by fusing the beauty and simplicity of acoustic alternative-pop with the dynamic energy of mainstream pop, creating a cohesive and emotionally charged body of work. Verbathim features previously released singles “Stick of Gum,” “Wore It Better,” and “Fine Print,” each offering a glimpse into her world, from her love for her homeland to the contemporary and historical biases faced by Muslim women.
Nemahsis’s rise to international acclaim began with thought-provoking singles like “What If I Took It Off For You,” “Dollar Signs,” and “Criminal,” the latter of which premiered on COLORS. Her music has garnered recognition from esteemed outlets such as Pitchfork, Alt Press, NYLON, Complex, NME, One’s To Watch, and Clash Magazine. In 2022, she released her debut EP, Eleven Achers, which was hailed by Exclaim! as “one of the best EPs of 2022.” and most recently she won the 2024 Prism ‘Audience Award’ for “i wanna be your right hand”.
