Derya Yildirim: Kar Yagar 12″

Description

Two years after the success of Nem Kald, outernational psych-pop sensation Derya Yldrm & Grup imek deliver their debut album, Kar Yaar – and it was worth the wait! Over the course of its 12 tracks, the powerful sound of the Balama [Turkish lute] and Derya Yldrms stunning vocals, builds and unravels stories together with the guitars, organs, drums, flute and bass.

Kar Yaar (which translates as Snow Falls) has the dynamics of an epic journey through the Anatolian highlands where deep-rooted folk effortlessly switches to sparkly improvisation or dancy pop tracks.

The album was self produced at their studio in the Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes, and the band’s tour de force resides in their ability to develop their personal sound and approach whilst keeping their heart tuned to Derya Yldrm’s Anatolian roots.

The album opens with Kz Bir Ana (three daughters, one mother), a smooth, yet epic 5/4 track that introduces the live and psychedelic sound of the band with influences ranging from Anatolian music to 70s jazz and early prog rock.

The title-song Kar Yaar [written by Derya Yldrm] is a fresh pop track melodically rooted in the Turkish folk music tradition. The song’s lyrics, referring to snow falling in the summer, are an extended metaphor which tells a strong and emotionally charged personal story.

Here, Grup imek bring out their unmistakable signature sound – light and movement inducing tempo, elegant wah wah guitars and magical quartertoned synth licks.

Original songs and instrumentals – all composed and arranged by the band – are scattered throughout the album. Notably – Seni Hala, a tear-drawing ballad with stripped-down acoustic arrangement and haunting choir And Graham Mushniks dreamy instrumental ocuklar, in which the band chose to feature a poem by one of Turkey’s most renowned 20th century poet Nzm Hikmet Ran whose title translates as give the world to our children. The poem is meaningfully read by Deryas father Mustafa Yldrm.

The LP also contains a string of Turkish folk songs, that the band entirely re-arranged whilst preserving their original spirit and soul. In Ey ahin Baklm Grup imek pay tribute to the Alevi culture, a minority community in Turkey for which music – and particularly the Balama instrument – has a sacred value. A powerful and majestic version of Mahzuni erifs Dom Dom Kurunu – one of Grup imek fans favourites at live shows – is also featured.