Nancy 8

Style and Composition

The opening track and lead single, "Ma Tegi Hena" returns Ajram to her original Egyptian folk sound she became popular with in the early 2000s with her worldwide phenomena "Akhasmak Ah." Ajram later based most of her career's successes on that of the latter hit, taking on its sound as her signature style with later hits like "Ah W Nos" and "Ya Tabtab." "Mosh Far'a Kteer" is a breakup ballad featuring a Pop rock beat and empowering lyrics thematically referring to rising up from heartbreak and agony.

"Men el Yawm" was described as "the wedding song" and is sung in Lebanese dialect very reminiscent of 2004 hit "Lawn Ouyounak." The song is about marriage and unity in love. "Yalla," a standout party track, is an encouraging anthem about falling in love which incorporates foreign Pop sounds.

"Tisabeg El Rih" is a traditional love song inspired from Khaliji singing gatherings, in which Nancy has taken part of in collaboration with MBC Group. "Rahent Aleik" is a breakup ballad with elements of R&B.

"Shou Hal Ossa" is an EDM-inspired love song, which may be Ajram's most experimental song to date, featuring elements of pop and techno, merged with Arabian instruments and sounds.

"Nam Bi Albi" speaks of love, while "Etnen Souhab" is an attempt of healing after heartbreak. "Ma Awedak Ma Ghir" is a moody traditional Khaliji song with heavier instrumentation from the Persian Gulf. "Ba'a Kol Da" is a deeply regretful song about the inability of life without the presence of a lover who is away.

"Fakra Zaman" is a cheerful youth anthem with a hint of sadness for the old days of childhood and teenage and how they were spent, and the effect of this concept of Ajram's way of thinking in the present.

Promotion

Lyric videos for "Ma Tegi Hena, "Tesabeg el Reeh," "Mouch Faraa Kteer" and "Men el Yawm" were uploaded to Nancy's official YouTube channel.

Singles

Critical

The reception to 8 was mixed to positive. Ajram's video for "Ma Tegi Hena" was criticized for its explicit sexual imagery. In the music video, Nancy performs Arabic freestyle oriental moves and rubs her body against that of Mister Lebanon winner Ayman Moussa's, who plays a police officer who arrests Nancy during the music video. Many critics compared the song and music video to Nancy's debut hit, "Akhasmak Ah".

Bi Tagarrod Magazine gave the album a positive review, saying Ajram "created, excelled, won and refreshed the music scene with an artistic bomb with which she rebelled with performance and emotion."

LoneReviewer website gave a mixed review to the album, saying "Overall just above-average album from Nancy, some good songs but I expected better." The website criticized the lack of coherence and of inspiration in this album.

Positive reviews were received by "Rahent Aleik," "Etnen Souhab" and "Ya Khayen," the latter being a fan favorite.

Track listing

The track list was announced via iTunes on March 8, 2014.

International edition

Notes:

Personnel