Courtesy of Marcia Kempf

Aya Metwalli (b. 1988) is an Egyptian vocalist and composer-performer characterised by her heartrending voice and unnerving atmospherics. Raised in Cairo, Aya's musical foundation was shaped by Arabic maqam, noise pollution, early piano lessons and her mother’s haunting voice. She began singing as a child and later taught herself guitar while earning a degree in English literature. Her early melancholic compositions captivated a dedicated following, leading to intimate acoustic gigs. In 2014, she delved into electronics and invited her demons to play. In 2015, she relocated to Lebanon and immersed herself in Beirut’s experimental music scene, transmuting her sound into a grittier, unflinching exploration of dread. Described as a “musical enigma” (The Guardian) who’s “crafted a spellbinding brand of anti-pop” (Pitchfork), Aya blends ancient lament with a stark, contemporary edge. Her live performances are catharses—raw études on despair that leave audiences both transfixed and troubled.