Dost 2

Outernational pop-group Derya Yildirim & Grup Simsek unveil the second and final part of their double-album ?Dost 1&2?. Once again, their subtle and groovy Anatolian psych-folk sound matches the powerful quality of the songs - often led by Yildirim?s sublime vocals and baglama (Turkish lute). With ?Dost 2?, the band have broadened their songwriting horizons and refined their idiosyncratic arrangement skills. Most of ?Dost 2??s material was composed by the band, with two notable tracks composed by guitarist-flautist Antonin Voyant whose melodic work brings the music to an unnostalgic, yet deep and meaningful place. The lyrics were penned by Derya Yildirim in collaboration with Berlin-based writer Duygu Agal, adding another string to Grup Simsek?s bow. As a statement of these ever-expanding creative boundaries, the album opens with a poignant original pop ballad. ?Gumus? - literally meaning ?Silver? - is used here to depict a particular state of the soul, between life and death. In the chorus, Yildirim repeats ?Icim ciglik? (I am torn) which reveals the narrator?s emotional struggle and pain. Next is ?Darildim Darildim?, a groovy floor-mover driven by a growling combination of wah-wah guitar and organ. Written by Mahzuni Serif (also responsible for Derya Yildirim & Grup Simsek?s first hit ?Nem Kaldi?), an Anatolian ?Asik? (a wandering bard and poet) who wrote politically charged songs in the 70?s and 80?s, the song deals with human matters and society?s unfairness - it is said this song was written while Mahzuni was imprisoned for his political inclinations. The tour de force here is to have translated the angry, serious mood of the lyrics into a positive, danceable and electric energy. ?Odam Kirec Tutmuyor?, a traditional folk song, is arranged here for a minimal and intimate trio set-up - with Graham Mushnik?s haunting organ and Voyant?s bird-like flute - on which Yildirim?s breathtaking vocals shine like a glowing lantern in a misty night. 'Odam Kirec Tutmuyor', une chanson folklorique traditionnelle, est arrangee ici pour un trio minimaliste et intime - avec l'orgue obsedant de Graham Mushnik et la flute en forme d'oiseau de Voyant - sur laquelle la voix epoustouflante de Yildirim brille comme une lanterne rougeoyante dans une nuit brumeuse. The rest of ?Dost 2? reveals another string of Grup Simsek originals : the stunning ?Yeni Yurekle? (?with a new heart?) and its flow of intertwined folk guitars ; the irresistibly dancey ?Bal? (?honey?) with its light disco beat, synth outbursts and exhilarating baglama solo ; Derya Yildirim?s delicate instrumental composition ?Mola? (?break?) ; and the heartbreaking ?Merakli Gonul? (?curious heart?) with its melodic bassline and expressive wah-wah chords. The album concludes with ?Ayse Halam Ariyor?, a folk song known as ?Bulgar Dagi? (?Bulgarian mountain?) that was sung over the phone by Derya?s aunt Ayse during a rehearsal, and spontaneously recorded by the band. Ayse Yildirim is also the author of the poem ?Hastane Onu? featured on ?Dost 1?, hence the choice to include the sound of her voice as a conclusion for ?Dost 2?. Here they captured a lively, unique piece of interpretation which connects to the meaning of ?Dost? - as the text inserted inside the vinyl / CD explains - ?DOST is a friend, a comrade, a brother, a sister and even more than that. DOST is the connection to keep this life and world meaningful?. No doubt that with ?Dost 2?, Derya Yildirim & Grup Simsek will bring sounds, people and emotions together.