SHEIVA – ‘HEECH’ review: Fiercely political and fearlessly unpredictable

4 September, 2024

SHEIVA (Credit: Bea Dero)

SHEIVA’s music spans as many genres as the instruments they play. You’ve got the classics (piano, guitar, bass) alongside the Persian – the tombak and daf (percussion), setar and santoor (stringed instrument), and the ney (an ancient flute). On their debut EP ‘HEECH’, the queer, 27-year-old British-Iranian isn’t seeking cohesiveness, but a dizzying eclecticism that will leave listeners reeling.

“Heech” is Farsi for “nothing”, reflecting SHEIVA’s refusal to submit as they navigate the world as a gender-nonconforming person, seeking to create moshable music “where misfits and freedom fighters can come rage”. A concise three-track effort, ‘HEECH’ blends traditional Iranian sounds with metal, jazz, trap, and grunge, courtesy of the artist’s impressive multi-instrumental capabilities.

Penned by the artist when they were just 15, the single ‘Pink Skies’ deals with their mental health experiences, a sonic reflection of clawing upwards from deep underground. It’s led by a jittery drum beat and liquid guitar riffs, with background chants giving the track a dream-like feel –but the rawness in SHEIVA’s gasping vocals brings an intensity to the song that keeps listeners from floating away.

SHEIVA’s music balances between quiet and angst, keeping listeners on edge. In their world, there is no sure outcome, no navigable path, but liberating disarray etched into their lyricism. ‘Into The Ground’ mixes jazzy cymbals and squealing guitars while SHEIVA’s forceful howl voices support for Iranians resisting oppression. Their frustration at the injustice is evident in the clashing elements of the song, and lyrics are heard in fragments, where whispers erupt into shrieking cries.

The EP’s final track ‘Piano Song’ is the most elusive. Echoing vocals are delicately balanced over the track’s melodic keys, before branching into something more sinister after two minutes. A booming bassline is introduced, followed by a trap beat, and spoken word mutterings. SHEIVA is an expert in surprise: they’ll lead you on a rollercoaster of thought, feeling and reflection.

‘HEECH’ brings us no closer to knowing who SHEIVA is. The three tracks are wildly different from one another, and each is marked by unexpected twists. Words feel futile when applied to an artist who is deliberately indescribable, as the title of the EP suggests. But “nothing” is by no means a synonym for “emptiness” – this EP is layered with depth and complexity. SHEIVA may be one step ahead of the listener, but it’s for us to catch up and see where they are going.