Egyptian producer El Waili blends live instrumentation with his signature electro-chaabi sound on 3sr L Embratoryat II, a four-track EP released through WRST Distribution on November 7. First brought to life through a collaborative live session for mōko’s Blended Sessions.
El Waili builds a dark, atmospheric, and almost otherworldly soundscape, driven by heavy synths, deep basslines, and psychedelic Middle Eastern grooves, while leaving room for organic instrumentation and experimentation. Strings, brass, and Middle Eastern percussion bring another dimension to his production, creating a dialogue between the raw energy of live performance and the precision of electronic arrangement.
The EP sets a layered, groove-led tone before moving into the cinematic sweep of ‘Shaheen’. ‘El Mena El Hendy’ takes the sound into more exploratory territory, ‘Nott’ closes the record with a sharper, club-focused energy, driven by punchy 808s and bouncing rhythms. Translating to Age of Empires: Part II, the EP continues El Waili’s approach to electronic music as a form of world-building, bringing together electronic production and traditional regional influences.
