MARYOS SYAWISH — Qurmami

Maryos Syawish – Qurmami The debut 12-inch on Research Records (catalogue RESEARCH018) arrives as an ambient-leaning statement that folds personal geography into a sonic collage. Recorded over eight years and released on 13 November 2026, the record draws from field recordings made in Iraq and layers them with lush electronic textures, positioning the work at the intersection of memory, place and contemporary sound design. Within Research’s recent output, Qurmami follows the earlier releases Ex Ponto – Odlazak LP (RESEARCH016, 2026) and Khaled Kurbeh – Likulli Fadain Eqaéh (Gatefold LP, RESEARCH014, 2026), continuing the label’s focus on immersive, regionally rooted explorations. It also sits after Glass Beams’ Mirage (RREP07, 2025) and the label’s earlier Big Yawn and Mouche outings, forming part of a catalogue that favours depth and atmospheric nuance. Side A opens with “01: Sherbert”, a delicate introduction that hints at the record’s introspective tone. “02: Mother Tongue” extends this mood, maintaining a contemplative ambience that bridges the opening and the later, more rhythmic material. The third cut, “03: Ancient Memories (feat. Khaled Kurbeh)”, introduces a subtle rhythmic undercurrent while preserving the ambient core, and the subsequent “04: Original People (Version)” deepens the sense of place through evolving textures. “05: Pisces Son” and “06: Sandy” keep the momentum steady, each offering a gradual swell that prepares the listener for the side’s climax. “07: Identity Crisis” heightens tension, leading into “08: Eternal Battle (feat. Abby Sundborn)”, where the presence of cellist Abby Sundborn adds a resonant, organic layer that rounds out the side’s narrative arc. Across both sides, the record’s 42-minute runtime moves from a fragile, mind-transporting opening toward a more body-moving conclusion, drawing subtle influences from dub, ambient and the traditional music of northern Iraq. The field recordings captured during Syawish’s pivotal trip to Iraq act as a connective tissue, stitching together the ambient electronics and the occasional rhythmic pulse that emerges toward the record’s tail end. In the context of Maryos Syawish’s output, Qurmami expands the sonic palette first hinted at in his work with Sleep D and Butter Sessions Records, yet it remains anchored in the same exploratory ethos. The involvement of fellow Research artist Khaled Kurbeh and Melbourne cellist Abby Sundborn underscores the collaborative spirit that has characterised his Melbourne-based practice, while the album art by his cousin Sarah Ujmaia provides a visual through line that mirrors the music’s thematic focus on roots and identity. For DJs, the record offers a dual utility: the early tracks serve as atmospheric backdrops for late-night or introspective moments, while the later, more rhythmic sections provide material that can be mixed into deeper, groove-oriented sets. Collectors will appreciate the cohesive narrative that binds field recordings, ambient synthesis and occasional rhythmic gestures into a single, uninterrupted journey. The release arrives as a 12-inch vinyl, presenting the full 42-minute work without interruption, allowing listeners to experience the intended progression from delicate beginnings to a body-moving conclusion in one uninterrupted listening session. Maryos Syawish – Qurmami, Research Records, RESEARCH018, 12-inch vinyl, 8 tracks. Tracklist: A1. Maryos Syawish – 01: Sherbert A2. Maryos Syawish – 02: Mother Tongue A3. Maryos Syawish – 03: Ancient Memories (feat. Khaled Kurbeh) A4. Maryos Syawish – 04: Original People (Version) A5. Maryos Syawish – 05: Pisces Son A6. Maryos Syawish – 06: Sandy A7. Maryos Syawish – 07: Identity Crisis A8. Maryos Syawish – 08: Eternal Battle (feat. Abby Sundborn)