Hailing from Tehran, Iran, are Duo Psylent, an indie pop/dream-folk group formed in 2022 by Shirin Manzoomi and Nyma, a couple who joined forces to tell their own story through their music and escape the suffocating atmosphere of Iran through art. Their debut EP, Sweet Dahlia, came out back in 2023 and their sophomore EP, Blue Moon, came out this February. Two singles have also been released between the two EPs: "The Juniper Tree" and "Phoenix."
The track that stands out the most to me from the 2025 EP is the title track, "Blue Moon," which is also the first song on the EP. "Blue Moon" starts with the lines "Dream a little higher now, dream a little higher" which perfectly sets the tone for the whole EP as a body of work, carrying a message of hope, following your heart, and being in tune and alignment with your inner world but also with your surroundings. Shirin's ethereal vocals soar above a dreamy instrumental layered with psychedelic synths and soft drums, keeping the song active yet soothing. "Go up the ladder, the Earth is too low, 'cause you deserve to dream a little higher", she sings, encouraging herself and her listeners to rise above their earthly confines and seek what their souls desire.
"Are You There" is a call to the beyond, whether that "beyond" is an external entity or simply the consciousness that lies past the immediate sentience of man matters not. It's a yearning for something more, something deeper, something (or someone) that comforts the self and reminds us that we're not completely and utterly alone. The same dreamy vibes continue with the instrumental and the vocals, with soft piano and synths, lulling the listener to sleep.
"Freedom" is a mostly-instrumental track and the only track on the EP that contains Persian lyrics. Born out of a deep desire for freedom that I assume encompasses the entirety of the Iranian collective psyche, the track is somber and calm, yet poignant. "Someday a little bird will break the cages through song," Shirin proposes, keeping that message of hope and perseverance alive.
Finally, "The Mountains" concludes the EP; another haunting piano-and-vocals-only track that deals with pain, shattered hopes, and living in constant danger under the conditions that make up the experience of living in Iran under its current circumstances. A rather funereal ending to Blue Moon if you ask me, but also realistic and reflective of the situation in which the artists live.
While not a part of the Blue Moon EP, I feel the need to make an honorable mention of the single "The Juniper Tree," a track based on an old folk tale about a little boy who meets a gruesome fate in the hands of his evil stepmother. The reason for mentioning the track is the noticeable contrast in production that it has with both Sweet Dahlia and Blue Moon, showcasing that a lot of production choices made by Duo Psylent are with intent, even if and when they don't conform to the signature crystalline and "perfect" sound that we hear in most modern tracks produced today.
Blue Moon is a testament to the resilience and strength of Iranian artists, working under ever-present scrutiny and censorship, with very little resources and support to go around. I urge you, dear reader, to dig and dive deeper into the world of Duo Psylent and perhaps other Iranian and Middle Eastern artists, as I am certain it will expand your worldview in ways you may not expect.
Listen to the Blue Moon EP below:
Blue Moon EP
Keep up with Duo Psylent on Instagram!
