Yara Mustafa’s ‘Ya Saree Albi’ is A Playful Take on Modern Arab Pop

Rising Saudi-born Jordanian artist, Yara Mustafa has returned with a new single, ‘Ya Saree Albi’, produced by Lebanese hitmaker Sleiman Damien, the producer and audio engineer behind hits like Haifa Wehbe’s ‘Mabd3afsh’ and Nassif Zeytoun’s ‘Bel Ahlam’.

Widely known for her role in the famed Netflix series, AlRawabi School for Girls, Yara Mustafa is also a trained soprano who has been quietly carving out a name for herself in the region’s pop scene through a steady stream of single releases.

Written and composed by Karim Abdo, who worked with some of the most influential regional stars like the queen of Arab pop, Nancy Ajram, ‘Ya Saree Albi’ relies on simple yet evocative lyrics and poignant storytelling to offer a classic expression of passionate love and longing with a relatable emotional honesty. The production follows the formula of a mainstream, modern Arabic pop, combining traditional tarab-inspired melodies with upbeat dance sections and tender ballad interludes.

Directed by Layla M. Rajha, the video for ‘Ya Saree Albi’ keeps things minimal, letting Yara’s magnetic presence and nuanced acting capture the dreamy, contemplative haze of love in all its emotional complexity in a playful, effortless way.

‘Ya Saree Albi’, which Yara first debuted at the TikTok MENA Awards ceremony, is a refreshing, playful effort on modern Arab pop that showcases her infectious, soulful vocal prowess, solidifying her as an artist to keep an eye out for this year.