Bryn Jones was a pioneer in the realm of experimental electronic music, active from the early 1980s until his untimely death in 1999. Under the moniker Muslimgauze, Jones not only carved out a distinct niche within the genre but also engaged with prevailing cultural and political contexts, producing a body of work that is as provocative as it is sonically rich.
In its essence, Muslimgauze’s aesthetic is a complex tapestry that weaves together various influences, ranging from ambient and industrial to traditional Middle Eastern music. In his song “Tariq Aziz” and much of his other music the artist’s sonic palette is characterised by resounding percussive echoes, akin to an outcry marshalling for war; the sombre hum of various stringed instruments, including the oud, buzuq, and sitar; and the ethereal strains of sampled Arabic vocals, sporadically flowing through the symphony, as if entangled in the grains of a windswept desert. The result is an immersive experience that transports the listener into a realm where the boundaries between the familiar and the unknown blur.
In many ways, Muslimgauze’s music can be seen as a musical protest, a form of dissent that challenges prevailing narratives and stereotypes. The artist’s choice of the name itself, a portmanteau of “Muslim” and “gauze” (symbolizing a veil or covering), reflects a deliberate attempt to obscure and challenge preconceived notions. Jones’s work serves as a poignant reminder of the power of art to subvert and question established norms, particularly in the context of a post-colonial world. Passionately pro-Palestinian, Jones held strong political views which were intertwined with his unlimited fascination for the Muslim world. These ideas and opinions often leaked into his music which regularly expressed politically charged imagery associated with conflicts in the Middle East and became an obsession that perplexed his family and everyone he knew. (Leath, 2017)
The political dimension of Muslimgauze’s music and aesthetic is further emphasised by the album titles and cover art, often featuring politically charged imagery and titles that allude to conflicts in the Middle East. This deliberate engagement with geopolitics positions reveals Muslimgauze as more than just a musical artist; rather, it places him within a tradition of artists who use their work as a form of activism, challenging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths about global affairs.
In conclusion, Muslimgauze stands as a pioneering figure in the landscape of experimental electronic music, pushing boundaries both sonically and thematically. The artist’s commitment to exploring the cultural and political dimensions of his work has left an enduring legacy that continues to influence contemporary musicians. Muslimgauze’s sonic landscapes, with their intricate tapestries of sound, serve as a testament to the power of art to challenge, provoke, and transcend the constraints of time and place.
Leath, S. (2017) An introduction to… Muslimgauze, The Vinyl Factory. Available at: https://thevinylfactory.com/features/an-introduction-to-muslimgauze/ (Accessed: 07 December 2023).