For over two decades, Saleh Hamed (Sol Farah) and Ahmed Jamali have been pushing boundaries in the UAE’s Alternative Rock scene. From their early days in Gray Test, which broke new ground at Dubai’s Gig on the Green festival in 2003, to Hamed’s success with Juliana Down—UAE’s highest-selling artist of the decade and an MTV Europe Music Awards nominee—their journey has been anything but conventional. Now, with their latest project, Dozenz, the duo delivers, "Be Someone", an album that blends Alternative Rock elements with lush Electronic textures, offering a powerful meditation on identity, resilience, and reinvention.
At the heart of, "Be Someone", is the album’s title track, which kicks off the project with an unwavering energy that perfectly sets the tone for what's to come throughout the rest of the release. As Hamed explains, "The album opens with ‘Be Someone,’ and from the first second, it doesn’t hold back. It’s full-on, immediate—no time to breathe. That’s what this album is. That’s what it had to be." The track resonates with urgency, drawing comparisons to M83 and The Killers’, "Hot Fuss", era. It’s an electrifying call to arms, not just for the band but for anyone standing at the crossroads of self-doubt and ambition. "Be Someone", isn’t just the title—it’s the defining moment where everything comes to a head. The choice to step up or fade out. To fight for something bigger than yourself, even when you don’t know if you’ll win,” Hamed reflects.
Beyond the title track, the album expands into a diverse sonic landscape. Songs like, "Rules of the Heart", soars with stadium-ready ambition while evoking the emotional acuity of U2’s *Achtung Baby", while, “Daylight", brings a melodic nostalgia reminiscent of The War on Drugs, its pulsing rhythm hiding an undercurrent of melancholy. Another standout track on the project is, “Chasing Tigers”, which delivers an introspective and cinematic aura as it channels a similar slow-burning intensity as Radiohead’s "In Rainbows".
Continuing to show their ability to take risks and delve into sonic spaces many other artists would avoid, "Lie to Love You", brings a dark and hypnotic tension reminiscent of Depeche Mode and the urgency of Muse’s, "Black Holes & Revelations", while “Falls Apart (Pick Yourself Up)", starts delicately before exploding into an emotional climax that one can not help but feel deep down in their soul. The albums final offering, “Young Tomorrow”, perfectly brings the project to a close thanks to its bold production and swaggering performance that we can't help feel will make this song a highlight of any upcoming live performance.
While Dozenz was able to deliver a diverse and dynamic release with, "Be Someone", the project as a whole feels completely cohesive and concise thanks to the duo's long standing legacy and unmatched chemistry. Having created their new album with an aim to reignite their fans, explore new sonic territories and search for something greater, this album wasn’t just written—it was fought for. “Every part of this record came from that place. It wasn’t easy. It was built from doubt, frustration, and obsession—torn apart and put back together again. It took everything we had,” Hamed admits.
Perhaps Dozenz’s boldest work to date, "Be Someone", is a declaration of purpose that oozes with an infectious energy that is sure to captivate listeners far and wide. In a world where music is often over-explained and overhyped, Dozenz lets the songs speak for themselves. “I know you hear a lot of music. I’m not here to over-explain or overhype it—I just hope you’ll listen. And if you do, I hope you hear what I feel.” As the listener moves from track to track, the project continues to demand attention at every turn, ensuring they are here to stay until the very last note. "Be Someone*, is the sound of a band refusing to stand still, pushing past their own limits and challenging their audience to do the same. Whether you’re drawn to its anthemic highs or its introspective depths.
INTERVIEW:
RDFO: What was it like growing up in your hometown? Was there a thriving music/art community that helped foster your personal talent?
Jamali: Growing up in the UAE shaped me in unique ways. The security we had there wasn’t just about safety—it gave us the freedom to create without boundaries or fear.
Sol: I moved between Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi, and Leeds, which gave me three different perspectives on music. Abu Dhabi lacked industry infrastructure, so we built our own movement from scratch. But that struggle also created deep bonds—once you found your tribe, you held on to them.
RDFO: Where did you find inspiration for this project, and what most influenced your sound?
Jamali: The songs themselves became our compass. As we experimented, each track took on a life of its own, leading us in directions we didn’t always expect.
Sol: We weren’t chasing a specific sound—it was instinct. The album blends cinematic grandeur with raw emotion, shaped by artists who push boundaries. Radiohead, U2, The Killers, Jay-Z, Kanye West, The Chemical Brothers, Imagine Dragons, and Linkin Park all influenced us in different ways.
RDFO: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Jamali: Finishing this album. It was the hardest, most rewarding thing we’ve done.
Sol: Be Someone is the most complete artistic statement we’ve ever made. Hearing the full album for the first time—after years of tearing it apart and rebuilding it—was the moment it all clicked.
RDFO: Who are some people you worked with on this album who played a major role in shaping it?
Jamali: Sol was the cornerstone—this project exists because of him. His vision, songwriting, and drive pushed this album forward, making sure every song reached its full potential.
Sol: Jamali was the catalyst. He has an incredible ability to look at a song objectively—he challenges us to keep pushing for something better while also encouraging self-reliance. He always comes up with brilliant instrumental ideas, fresh rhythmic approaches, and creative solutions to challenges in the songs. He doesn’t just refine ideas—he expands them, bringing in unexpected elements that make the music hit harder.
We also worked with incredible vocalists who each left their mark:
Nick Tompkins (Be Someone)
Richard Farrell (Chasing Tigers, Lie To Love You)
Ethan Cronin (Senseless, Young Tomorrow, Say My Name)
Ryan Courtney (Daylight, No Talking (Just Love Me))
We’d start with a demo of me singing, then search for a voice that fit. Once we found the right vocalist, we’d rework the production around them to make the song feel like it belonged to them.
For mixing and mastering, Etienne Pelosoff shaped Say My Name into something massive. Everyone played a role in making this album what it is.
RDFO: What does this album mean to you, and how long did it take to complete?
Jamali: It took four years of writing, refining, and evolving. Seeing it finally come together feels like reaching the summit after a long climb.
Sol: It’s our most personal work. Identity, resilience, and transformation—those aren’t just themes, they’re the foundation of this album. Some songs clicked instantly, while others evolved endlessly. Every decision shaped the final story.
RDFO: What instruments do you play, and how long have you been playing?
Jamali: I picked up my first instrument at 15, and over the years, I’ve played a bit of everything. I love being able to jump between instruments and figure out what a song really needs.
Sol: I play guitar, bass, and keys, but my real instrument is the studio. That’s where ideas take shape and collaboration brings them to life.
RDFO: Who are some of your biggest musical inspirations?
Jamali: My influences range from Extreme Metal to Synthwave, with Classical and Pop filling the spaces in between.
Sol: I’m drawn to artists who constantly evolve. Radiohead, U2, and The Killers create massive, immersive soundscapes. Jay-Z and Kanye West treat music as storytelling. The Chemical Brothers fuse rock and electronic effortlessly, and Imagine Dragons & Linkin Park bring raw intensity into alternative rock.
RDFO: What’s your favorite song on this project, and are there any lyrics that really resonate with you?
Jamali: Falls Apart was the hardest to perfect—four versions later, it finally found its true form. Young Tomorrow also captures something universal.
Sol: Be Someone is the heart of this album—raw, unflinching, and urgent. Instead of pointing to a specific lyric, I want listeners to find their own truth in these songs.
RDFO: What’s next for Dozenz?
Jamali: We’re ready for the world to hear these songs. The singles are lined up, and the journey starts now.
Sol: Be Someone isn’t just an album—it’s the start of something bigger. We’re pushing this through playlists, blogs, social media, and live shows. The plan is to build something lasting, not just drop an album and move on.
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