ON THE RISE
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Greek electric rock band Citizen Jim unveils their new single “Tossed Away,” blending English and Greek lyrics for the first time as they expand their reach to a worldwide audience. Charged with relevance to today’s turbulent socio-political climate, the track challenges the very systems we rely on — drawing stark parallels between schools and prisons, which can both serve as cages and spaces for learning, shaped as much by the institution as by the individual. Within this lens, “Tossed Away” digs into the brutality of primitivism, the pull of tribalism, and even stretches into a critique of anthropocentrism: the belief that humans are the central force on Earth.
“The lyrics jump from topic to topic — the absence of spirituality and esotericism, fear, ignorance, the looming specter of war, and even ecological collapse,” shared lead band member Politis Dimitris. “As far as the education system, it’s something I noticed studying psychology, and something we reflected in the lyrics: ‘schools are prisons and prisons are schools.’ Education is extremely important - in theory, it’s awesome; it seems to be the best we can do as a society. But in practice, it doesn’t always work. People can actually be turned off by it. Those who have knowledge are often isolated. On the other hand, in prison, you can still learn a lot, even though it’s a harsh environment.”
The music itself mirrors the song’s deeply inquisitive and introspective themes. “Tossed Away” takes an experimental electronic approach, with an arpeggiated bass synth forming the backbone, while the drums provide a second core layer for guitars and vocals to unfold. A standout moment comes in the mid-ambient breakdown, where spiraling echoes, reverbs, and alternating filters transform the synthesizers, before the full instrumentation gradually cycles back in and fades out, creating a layered, immersive listening experience.
“Musically, we’re always trying different things. There aren’t any tracks on the album with this direction; we only have one in this style. It starts with a rock style and then develops into an electronic sound. We’ve only done this once before, so this is the second time,” said Dimitris.
“Tossed Away” is the third single from their latest album Dreamcatcher (Oniropagida in Greek). The record mixes Greek and English songs with “Tossed Away” as a striking bilingual track, another in English, and the rest in Greek. Lyrically, it marks a notable evolution for the band, particularly given that Dreamcatcher is their sixth album, since they first began making music together in 2017.
“As far as producing, we haven’t worked with a specific producer yet — we write our own material and then go into the studio to record. It’s all independent,” continued Dimitris. “We always know the energy we’re looking for in the studio, but in the end, it all depends on the band and the choices each member makes — from the sound to the instruments. We do work with two specific engineers, and this song was recorded with the one we’ve collaborated with the most.”
The track’s video was created by artist Thetis Parmenidou and features puppetry drifting through a cosmic landscape. It blends fragmented 2D collages with a recorded puppet performance, seamlessly stitched together with visual effects and montage techniques. The result evokes archetypal storytelling, using roleplay to explore how history is remembered and interpreted.
“Thetis is incredibly talented. We trust her very much. This is the fourth video we’ve done with her. She and I brainstormed the concept and developed it together. Many of the ideas came from me, but she brought them to life, edited them, and created an entirely new world,” enthused Dimitris.
In addition to their new single, music video, and latest album, the band is keeping busy with a packed schedule. They have a festival coming up in Athens, Greece, in just two weeks, a mini-tour in Japan this November, and two more concerts before the end of the year — including a release show in December. On top of that, they’re already planning a European tour for as early as spring 2026.
Citizen Jim was started by Politis Dimitris, who serves as the band’s lyricist and second guitarist. “Citizen” reflects both a personal and collective desire to engage with social issues, while “Jim” hints at the band’s global outlook, drawing from the anglicized version of Dimitris. What began as Dimitris’s solo project has since evolved into a full-fledged band, rounded out by a lead guitarist, bassist, drummer, and keyboardist, each contributing to the group’s dynamic and eclectic sound.
On what he hopes listeners take away from his music, Dimitris offered a thoughtful reflection: “I hope to make people think about something they wouldn’t have before listening to the song. I don’t want to make people feel depressed — I hope it’s more of a positive engagement than a negative one. Art for art’s sake is fine; sometimes I enjoy something light, like a comedic movie. But I believe it’s more important to create art that feeds the soul and helps you grow as a person.”
Follow Citizen Jim at the links below:
ON THE RISE
Lebanese artist Elie Al Hajj — better known as Ely — is ready for connection.
His new rock song, “My Falling Star,” dropped last month. The track is a showcase for Ely’s versatility and passion. The song and its 80s vibes will appeal to audiences eager for their next heartbreak anthem.
The lyrics recount a love that ended too soon, and the reminiscence of a night under a sky full of shooting stars. Amidst thundering drums and a big guitar solo, Ely’s pleading voice is the main focus, with a Cher-like tone quality and vibrato.
Ely’s persistent passion is reflected in the song’s repeating four chords. Like that night with the shooting star that he can’t forget, the music returns again to remind him:
I feel the pain inside my broken heart
I never felt this way before, girl
I never want to feel this way again
Goodbye to you, my falling star
Your love will always shine on me
I’ll close my eyes and there you’ll be
With English lyrics, Ely, 43, aims to reach beyond the Mediterranean basin to connect with international fans. While he also releases songs in Arabic, he has broader plans for his music.
He says, "In Lebanon, most of the people and the known artists sing in Arabic... But I can do both. I can do English, I can do Arabic. By recording in English, I'm aiming to appeal to a more international audience."
He knows it won’t be easy to reach his fans, but he is not afraid to put in the work. His songs, like “My Falling Star,” are beacons to the like-minded lovers and dreamers out there in the world somewhere.
Ely says, "I just want my fans, if it happens, I just want them to respect what I do in the same way that I respect them and the same way that I give them my music from the heart."
Ely’s creative background extends beyond music. A filmmaker, he is known for directing and starring in the 2018 romantic comedy, I'd Prefer Your Problems Princess. His filmmaking prowess is also put to use as he directs his music videos. This includes the beautiful outdoor locations for “My Falling Star”.
With “My Falling Star,” Ely is committed to building a genuine audience for his own songs — not just covers, not just regional radio play, but an international fan base connected by shared emotion and respect.
His wistful lyrics and emotive instrumental playing may have been born from heartbreak, but Ely insists they point toward something larger: persistence, hope, and the belief that music still has the power to bridge worlds. He doesn’t want to wait any longer.
“I’m 43 now — there’s no more wasting time,” Ely says. “I just want people to hear about me, to feel what I feel, and to know that I give them everything from the heart. If I can reach fans who give that back, I’ll have done what I set out to do.”
With the passion and progress of songs like “My Falling Star,” it’s clear that Elie al Hajj is ready to make the leap. Fans can dive into Ely’s work and listen to “My Falling Star” at the links below:
