Habibi

Habibi was formed in Brooklyn in 2011 by Detroit natives Rahill Jamalifard and Lenny Lynch. The band combined psychedelic garage rock with girl group harmonies, drawing on Middle Eastern melody structures due to Jamalifard’s Iranian heritage. They quickly gained recognition, playing at festivals such as SXSW and CMJ, and signed with Born Bad Records, releasing a self-titled 7-inch. Their early work, including the song “Sweetest Talk,” was featured in James Franco’s 2012 short film series, *Episodes of an Untitled Film*.

In 2014, Habibi released its debut full-length LP, *Habibi*, through Burger Records. The band continued to evolve its sound, releasing a collaboration with La Luz in 2015 and the *Cardamom Garden* EP in 2018. Their career progressed with the 2020 release of their sophomore album, *Anywhere But Here*. Over the years, the band has seen changes in its lineup, with current members including Rahill Jamalifard (lead vocals, tambourine), Lenaya “Lenny” Lynch (guitar, vocals), Lyla Vander (drums), Ana Becker (guitar, vocals), and Yukary (bass).

Habibi’s most recent album, *Dreamachine*, released in 2024 through Kill Rock Stars, demonstrates a significant sonic evolution, incorporating analog and digital elements beyond their traditional garage rock sound. This album integrates post-punk, experimental pop, and vintage disco with Middle Eastern psych, reflecting a journey from their 1960s girl-group inspired origins to more contemporary sounds. The band’s continuous exploration of diverse musical influences has allowed them to create a unique and distinctive style.