Offie Mag

North West London’s BODUR has released her highly anticipated debut album, MAQAM, via PACE.

Two years in the making, it’s been well worth the wait. The project explores narratives of racism, Islamophobia, and the feelings of ugliness and worthlessness they impose on young people.

Sonically, MAQAM sees BODUR on a mission to de-westernise her music, drawing on centuries-old Arabic musical modes—for which the album takes its name—blended with alternative-electronic, avant-pop, rock, and jazz influences. The result is a striking fusion of contrasting musical traditions. The album’s release follows BODUR’s recent appointment at London-based fashion label DI PETSA, where she soundtracked their London Fashion Week show with all 45 minutes of MAQAM, walking the runway with her oud in hand.

Each track comes with a visualiser curated by Furmaan Ahmed and Rukaiyah Qazi, forming a 35-minute full-length film that adds another layer of depth to the project. I could spend hours breaking down why every track demands your attention, but standouts include lead single ‘TONY MADONNA [DADA]’, a sharp critique of the industry’s pressure on artists to compromise creatively. However, the real gem is ‘THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME EXHALE [BAYAT]’, featuring BODUR’s parents pouring their hearts out to each other. Recorded in separate rooms so neither could hear the other’s words, the result is raw and profoundly moving—I’m pretty sure I even caught Brickcellphone shedding a tear during BODUR’s Offie Radio show.

MAQAM is the culmination of years of dedication, with BODUR pioneering a sound that embraces her Irish, Middle Eastern, and South Asian heritage. Her authentic sonic and visual aesthetic is not only shaping her artistry but also inspiring a generation of SWANA women across the UK.

You can buy MAQAM here.