New music from Gideon Unna

Gideon Unna has always viewed music as something that offers more than the songs themselves. The Israeli singer-songwriter and musician has spent his career exploring the space where spirituality, love and human connection overlap, creating indie folk music that feels intimate while carrying a sense of something much larger. Highly independent, Gideon has developed a sound based in warmth and reflection, bringing together traditional influences with a knack for embracing modern production. Ultimately, his work is an invitation to pause, look around and find meaning in what’s already there.

That context ripples throughout every part of Gideon’s creative process; his songs often begin simply, with a guitar and a question which he frames through songwriting that remains personal and accessible. His music is tethered to a sense of kindness, gratitude and connection, while his appreciation for the warm melodic harmonies of 60s vocal groups such as The Mamas & the Papas and The Carpenters adds a timeless quality to his sound. His voice carries both intimacy and conviction, while his songwriting connects the personal with the spiritual while keeping sight of its pop appeal.

Over recent years, his output has confirmed Gideon’s status as a beloved figure within Israeli music. His work brings Jewish spirituality and traditional melodies into conversation with contemporary songwriting, creating music that looks backwards and forwards at the same time. His album Tzipori Shabbat stands as a stunning display of this balance, bringing together stories from the past together with reflections on the present through a delightful, pop-tinged sound.

Now, Gideon is opening another chapter as he prepares for his forthcoming record and following last year’s “What Is Love,” a collaboration with Kayley Halperin, he returns with “Heaven Is Here,” a song built around one of his most enduring ideas that perhaps paradise is not something waiting for us somewhere else. Composed on guitar, the track developed through a collaborative process involving longtime creative partner Lior Medan, who shaped the arrangement while vocalist Naomi Shapira brings another facet of emotional tone.

The recording itself took place at Yoav Asif’s intimate home studio in Moshav Tzrufa, resulting in a warm, organic character that mirrors the song’s central message that heaven might not be a distant destination, but something that can be recognised within everyday life. Set up by the taps of drums and warm pulse of walking bass lines, the twang of bright guitar adds colour to the arrangement while Naomi’s delicate voice glides in to spin memorable melodies carrying heartfelt lyricism. Capturing a ‘summer of love’ retro pop sound tinged with subtle psych vibes, it’s a superb jam that’s catchy, grooving and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Brimming with gentle backing vocal layers, dashed with intricate instrumental plucks and playful vocalisations, “Heaven is Here” delivers an utterly charming musical moment that’s sure to delight listeners all over the world. “Heaven Is Here” also offers an intriguing counterpoint to John Lennon’s “Imagine,” where Lennon famously asks listeners to envision a different world, Gideon turns attention towards the world already surrounding us, suggesting that heaven can be found in the present. As he continues to go from strength to strength as a compelling songwriter, Gideon Unna is sure to win over more and more listeners with his thoroughly enjoyable musical vision.

Listen to Heaven is Here below

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