Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

The Homemade Music of Al Shak': From Soundtrack to Spotify Playlist

05/08/2020

While homebound during the pandemic, people are often turning to television and movies as a form of escapism. But creator, writer, and composer Firas Abou Fakher and the rest of the team behind the new acclaimed television series Al Shak ( the doubt ) did just the opposite, instead leaning into the very circumstances of the moment for its inspiration. The new show, available on the Middle East and North Africa's leading video-on-demand streaming platform, Shahid, was entirely created, written, and produced by a team that was working from home.

I wanted the starting point to be something familiar that everyone could recognize. The COVID-19 pandemic, which is at the heart of the mechanics of the show, is a global shared experience, Firas, who is known for his role in indie rock band Mashrou Leila, explained to For the Record.

Al Shak centers on a young woman named Samar who is isolated in her family's old house during lockdown. One day, she mistakenly logs into the wrong video chat and witnesses a murder. From there, through Samar's experience, the 10-episode psychological thriller explores themes of isolation and connection.

As with most thrillers, music is used in Al Shak to heighten and amplify the characters' moods throughout the show. The eerie and solemn soundtrack, which can be found on Spotify, also has an official copartnered, curated Spotify playlist to match. This playlist provides a unique, in-depth listening experience for fans-one that's been carefully designed to complement and support the series.

In order to create these types of playlists, Spotify's editors work alongside film and television showrunners, music supervisors, or composers to provide suggestions and guidance, as well as package the final product for fans. The copartnered Al Shak playlist, for example, was curated hand in hand with the show's team, including Firas. The playlist even took Firas' own inspiration for Al Shak's soundtrack into account.

I did a lot of research into the scores of psychological thrillers and horrors, from Bernard Hermann's work with Alfred Hitchcock to the work of John Carpenter to contemporary scores by Mica Levi, Colin Stetson, Bobby Krlic, and more, Firas said.

The playlist, therefore, includes Firas' compositions from the show's soundtrack, but also goes further, adding pieces from other composers, like John Williams and Thom Yorke, as well as songs from cult classic and more recent psychological thrillers and horror movies, like Psycho, Annihilation, and Midsommar.

The soundtrack also features a bit of whimsy-many of the sounds heard in the show are actually made from household items played like instruments. When combined with more traditional instrumentation, this creates emotional music that serves to highlight the show's thematic content.

I didn't have access to the studios, musicians, and orchestras that I usually do, said Firas. I tried to create musical instruments from the items around me that are usually seen as boring or mundane, creating drones, percussion, and even piano-like sounds from them. I wanted all this to help create the dark and lonely world our protagonist inhabits, even within a highly connected world. The tactile reality of these everyday found objects plays a big part in the world-building of the show.

Firas played on the lids of pots and pans with cello bows to create pads and drones-not that you'd ever know just from listening to the soundtrack. These could be played in a very musical way, or very menacingly, he said. I also used superball mallets to create what would become the signature sound of our antagonist by making metal trays talk.' I used lots of salt and pepper grinders, as well as wooden sticks and metal cutlery to create the percussion, and I used soft mallets on metal trays. Glass windows created a musical white noise' that I think is felt rather than heard. Several doors were slammed to create the deep thuds throughout. The neighbors were not happy.

By partnering with Spotify to create a customized playlist alongside the soundtrack, Firas can also look forward to insights our editors can provide (like unexpected regions that may stream the playlist). It's also a great avenue for discovery for fans of the show who may not know where to go after streaming the series, and for furthering artist discovery for the music community in the Middle East and North Africa.

Yet technology can't do everything. I am a big believer that the human touch in music is essential, adds Firas. Even a human bowing the lid of a pot can express the intention of a scene or a moment in a unique and powerful way.

The human touch-though something Samar's character may be missing in her life-is truly felt in every aspect of Al Shak, from its carefully crafted story to the creation of intricate homemade music to its origination during a time when many are staying home.
LINK: https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-08-04/the-homemade-music-of-al-shak-...
See more stories from spotify

Most recent headlines

05/01/2027

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be demoed at CES 2026

Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...

01/06/2026

Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026

January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026 Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...

02/05/2026

Dalet Flex LTS Delivers Smarter Search, Faster Editing, and an AI-Ready Foundation for Modern Media

Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...

01/05/2026

NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to Integrate Dolby's Full Suite of Premium Picture and Sound Innovations

January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...

01/04/2026

DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION

January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...

05/03/2026

Clear-Com Supplies Cloud-Based Communications System for...

Clear-Com has provided Gen-IC virtual intercom, its cloud-based voice communications system for SaxaVord Spaceport, the first fully licensed vertical launch s...

05/03/2026

Hollywood Professional Association Concludes the 2026 HPA...

The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) concluded the 2026 HPA Tech Retreat, convening more than 800 industry leaders, technologists, creatives and executi...

05/03/2026

LynTec 20 AMP Dual Output DMX Relay Now Shipping

LynTec, a leading manufacturer of electrical power control solutions for professional audio, video, and lighting systems, today announced that its new Dual DMX ...

05/03/2026

Snicket Labs Partners with ES Broadcast to Expand Access...

Snicket Labs is pleased to announce a new distribution partnership with ES Broadcast for its award winning solutions, Match and Enrich. Under the agreement, ES...

05/03/2026

LiveU Marks First Large Scale Global Deployment of AI Dri...

LiveU today announced the first large-scale deployment of its AI-driven LiveU IQ (LIQ ) technology at a global, multi-venue sporting event, setting a new benchm...

04/03/2026

Lega Basket Serie A Modernizes Media Operations Across Italian Basketball with ScorePlay

Lega Basket Serie A (LBA), the governing body for Italy's premier basketball...

04/03/2026

To Mark Five Years at Wrexham AFC, Co-Chairmen Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds Will Host Broadcast During Wrexham-Swansea City on March 13

Wrexham AFC co-chairmen Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds will host a first-of-its-kind ...

04/03/2026

FOX Sports Marks 100 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026 with Company-Wide Celebration

The countdown is underway and with just 100 days to go until the world's greatest sporting event begins on Thurs., June 11, FOX Sports, America's Englis...

04/03/2026

Exchange, NBCUniversal Team Up to Provide Service Members with Free Streaming of Paralympic Winter Games

No matter where they are in the world, service members and veterans can stream N...

04/03/2026

Telemundo Releases Somos Ms, the Official Anthem of its FIFA World Cup 2026 Coverage

Telemundo officially releases Somos M s, the anthem for the network's cove...

04/03/2026

Hollywood Professional Association Concludes 2026 HPA Tech Retreat

The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) concluded the 2026 HPA Tech Retreat, convening more than 800 industry leaders, technologists, creatives, and execut...

04/03/2026

Case Study: How SEG+ Unified Utah's Biggest Sports Teams into a 40%+ Subscriber Growth Streaming Platform

Smith Entertainment Group transformed how local sports are consumed by creating ...

04/03/2026

SVG in Indy: Pacers Sports & Entertainment Remotely Produces Broadcasts of G League's Noblesville Boom

The production method, which spans a distance of 36.2 miles, was designed and im...

04/03/2026

Haivision Releases Seventh Annual Broadcast Transformation Report, Highlights Key Trends Shaping Live Production in 2026

Haivision, a global provider of mission-critical, real-time video networking and...

04/03/2026

SVG Sit-Down: Quantum CEO Hugues Meyrath on Reshaping the Company, the Impact of AI, Evolving Media Storage

When Hugues Meyrath came out of retirement to take the helm as CEO of Quantum, i...

04/03/2026

As Banana Ball Expands Exponentially, So Too Do Its Production Capabilities

Last week's launch of Banana Ball Championship League has spurred a significant upgrade of production facilities The Savannah Bananas, arguably the hottest...

04/03/2026

Press Release TEST

sldkfjsdlfkjsldkfjsldkjfslkdjfslkdjfsl Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus...

04/03/2026

Spotify A/Presenta Brings Fans Closer to Artists' Creative Process in Latin America, Starting With ROSALA

For many fans, a song's backstory can be just as compelling as the final pro...

04/03/2026

Spotify Kicks Off Our 20th Anniversary at SXSW With a Celebration of Artists, Creators, and Fans

In 2006, Spotify was founded on the belief that technology could bring artists a...

04/03/2026

Spotify and Coca-Cola Saddle Up for a Rhinestone Cowboy Experience at the Houston Rodeo

Spotify is back on the ground for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and we&#...

04/03/2026

Spotify Doubles Down on Investments in Australian Fan Discovery of Homegrown Aussie Talent

Spotify had an energizing week in Sydney, Australia, filled with powerful conver...

04/03/2026

FKA twigs and Jordan Hemingway Explore the Making of HARD' in Episode Two of Directed By'

Earlier this year, we launched Directed By, a documentary-style series that pull...

04/03/2026

100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth -The FIFA World Cup 2026

100 Days to Go: SBS Unveils World Class Team for The Greatest Show on Earth -The...

04/03/2026

KT and Rohde & Schwarz to showcase AI-enhanced radio transmission performance

KT and Rohde & Schwarz to showcase AI-enhanced radio transmission performance In a joint 6G AI proof-of-concept demonstration, the CMX500 one-box tester from ...

04/03/2026

APTS Announces Public Broadcast Leadership, Advocacy Awards

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

04/03/2026

SES publishes 2025 Annual Report

Luxembourg, 3 March 2026 - SES S.A. has today published its 2025 Annual Report, following the announcement of the company's full year financial results for ...

04/03/2026

NBC Sports, USA Sports Extend Rights Deal with PGA

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

04/03/2026

Broadcasters Gather in DC for NAB State Leadership Conference

Share Copy link Facebook X Linkedin Bluesky Email...

04/03/2026

Transforming Africa's Future Farmers: Satellite-Enabled IoT Powers Data-Driven Agribusinesses

Luxembourg, March 3, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, along with I...

04/03/2026

VEON Partners with GSMA Innovation Fund to Accelerate Digital Innovation in Pakistan and Bangladesh

04 Mar 2026 VEON Partners with GSMA Innovation Fund to Accelerate Digital Innov...

04/03/2026

VEON's Beeline Uzbekistan and Rakuten Symphony Partner for Open RAN, AI Collaboration

04 Mar 2026 VEON's Beeline Uzbekistan and Rakuten Symphony Partner for Open...

04/03/2026

Sky Sports unveils plans for 2026 Formula 1 coverage

Wednesday 4 March 2026 Sky Sports unveils plans for 2026 Formula 1 coverage Sky Sports is preparing for one of the most highly anticipated F1 seasons in recen...

04/03/2026

Bloodhounds' Season 2 Gears Up for April 3 Premiere with Hard-Hitting New Teaser and Poster

Back to All News Bloodhounds' Season 2 Gears Up for April 3 Premiere with ...

04/03/2026

Netflix Ads Suite Expands Capabilities

Back to All News Netflix Ads Suite Expands Capabilities Business 04 March 2026 GlobalUnited States Link copied to clipboard After launching the Netflix Ad...

04/03/2026

March 02, 2026

Scripps Research welcomes healthcare innovator Joe Kiani to the Board of Directors Kiani brings decades of experience in patient safety and public service. Mar...

04/03/2026

March 03, 2026

Nanoparticle vaccine approach takes on a new target: Hepatitis C virus Scripps Research scientists reengineer critical proteins on the surface of HCV, paving th...

03/03/2026

LIV Golf, Beyond Sports Elevate Online Gaming Ecosystem with Launch of LIV Golf Fantasy and LIV X

Beyond Sports, a Sony group company, and LIV Golf, the world's golf league, ...

03/03/2026

Ilitch Sports + Entertainment Announces Launch of Detroit SportsNet

Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announces the launch of Detroit SportsNet (DSN), a year-round broadcast home for two of Detroit's franchises. With flexible op...

03/03/2026

Advanced Systems Group Promotes Gretchen Taipale to Vice President, Managed Services

Advanced Systems Group, LLC (ASG), a technology and services provider for media ...

03/03/2026

PGA of America, NBC Sports, and USA Sports Extend Media Rights Agreement Through 2033

The PGA of America, NBC Sports and USA Sports extend their media rights agreemen...

03/03/2026

HONOR, ARRI Announce Technical Collaboration to Bring ARRI Image Science into Next-Gen Consumer Devices

AI device ecosystem company HONOR enters into a strategic technical collaboratio...

03/03/2026

Telos Alliance Partners with College Radio Foundation to Support College Broadcasters

Cleveland's Telos Alliance, pioneers in broadcast technology for 30 years, l...

03/03/2026

Sennheiser Relaunches MD 9235 Wireless Mic Head

The MD 9235 microphone head for wireless handhelds has been a firm favorite with many engineers and artists for its ability to cut through high on-stage levels ...

03/03/2026

Haivision to Showcase Private 5G and Live Video Contribution Innovations at MWC 2026

Haivision Systems Inc. (Haivision), a global provider of mission-critical, real-...