Following the viral success of ‘Razmen Khamsa’ from his latest EP ‘Keset Elhay El Shaaby’, Egyptian artist Showkey returns with a new direction on his latest release, ‘Ana W Alby’. Across its three tracks, the project dives into themes of emotion, vulnerability, and personal growth, while showcasing a diverse range of production styles and genres.
In ‘Ana W Alby’, Showkey takes a sharp turn from the formula he introduced on ‘Kest El Hay El Shaaby’, where he presented a pure shaabi sound with trap-infused elements to craft a commercially successful sound. This shift, however, isn’t entirely unexpected when looking at Showkey’s discography. From his drill-centered beginnings to his ventures into afrobeats and his eventual command of shaabi, Showkey has always experimented with different sounds. While shaabi brought him the most recognition, his new EP marks another evolution, as he delves into relationship reflections, heartbreak and introspection.
The title track opens the EP with a stripped-down production centered on strings and swaying tabla rhythms, creating a complimenting backdrop for Showkey’s heartfelt and laidback delivery. Produced by Anvbis, the beat maintains a simple structure with little progression towards its end.
The second track, ‘Ya Naseeb’, is less compelling in terms of production, with a monotonous beat that fails to stand out. However, the dynamic exchange between Showkey and 8lind brings the track to life, making it a memorable moment despite its shortcomings.
The EP closes with an unexpected afro house-inspired beat, showcasing Showkey’s versatility and his ability to adapt to new sounds. His delivery here is confident and assured, proving his chameleon-like ability to explore different genres.
What makes Ana W Alby stand out is Showkey’s willingness to deviate from the formulaic success of ‘Razmen Khamsa’. Rather than doubling down on a proven sound, he takes a bold leap into experimentation, even at the risk of occasional missteps. The result is a solid EP that highlights his artistic growth and his determination to push himself, cementing his position as an artist to watch out for.
