Album Review: وقتي چشات پر خوابه گربه شاخت تزنه by امیر رسایی
Man, where do I even start with this gem? This album feels like a warm cup of tea on a rainy day—comforting but also kinda raw. It’s folk music from Iran, released under Monogram, and let me tell you, it hits different. The whole thing is soaked in emotion, like someone poured their soul into every note. And honestly? That’s exactly what happened.
First off, the title track وقتي چشات پر خابه (When Your Eyes Are Full of Sleep). Wow. Just… wow. Mahmoud Ghoramaleki composed it, Abbas Kargar wrote the lyrics, and Amir Rasaee sings it so tenderly that your heart might just crack open. There’s something about how his voice dances around those words—it’s soft yet full of weight, like he’s whispering secrets only you’re allowed to hear. You can almost picture him sitting cross-legged somewhere quiet, strumming away while life buzzes faintly in the background. It sticks with you because it doesn’t try too hard; it simply exists, honest and real.
Then there’s گربه شاخت تزنه (The Cat Scratched Tizneh), which is such an odd little song that somehow works perfectly. Like, who wouldn’t want to listen to a tune inspired by cats causing chaos? It’s playful and quirky, but don’t let that fool you—it still carries this deep undertone of longing. Maybe it’s the way the melody shifts between lightness and shadow, or maybe it’s the storytelling woven into the lyrics. Whatever it is, it makes you smile and think at the same time. Plus, seriously, how often do you hear songs about cats scratching stuff? Not enough, if you ask me.
What really gets me, though, is how these tracks feel alive. They aren’t polished to death—they breathe, they stumble, they laugh. It’s refreshing in a world where everything seems overproduced. You can tell everyone involved—Mahmoud, Abbas, Amir—poured their hearts into this project. It’s not perfect, but isn’t that the point? Perfection is boring. Realness? That’s what stays with you.
Thinking back on it now, listening to this album felt less like entertainment and more like eavesdropping on someone’s inner world. And honestly, I’m glad I did. If anything, it reminded me why we need art like this—to remind us we’re all messy humans trying our best. Oh, and also? Cats will always be troublemakers, no matter what century we’re in.
