Dost 2

Outernational pop-group Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek 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 Yıldırım’s sublime vocals and bağlama (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 Yıldırım in collaboration with Berlin-based writer Duygu Ağal, adding another string to Grup Şimşek’s bow. As a statement of these ever-expanding creative boundaries, the album opens with a poignant original pop ballad. ‘Gümüş’ - literally meaning “Silver” - is used here to depict a particular state of the soul, between life and death. In the chorus, Yıldırım repeats “İçim çığlık” (I am torn) which reveals the narrator’s emotional struggle and pain. Next is ‘Darıldım Darıldım’, a groovy floor-mover driven by a growling combination of wah-wah guitar and organ. Written by Mahzuni Şerif (also responsible for Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek’s first hit ‘Nem Kaldı’), an Anatolian ‘Aşık’ (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 Kireç 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 Yıldırım’s breathtaking vocals shine like a glowing lantern in a misty night. 'Odam Kireç Tutmuyor', une chanson folklorique traditionnelle, est arrangée ici pour un trio minimaliste et intime - avec l'orgue obsédant de Graham Mushnik et la flûte en forme d'oiseau de Voyant - sur laquelle la voix époustouflante de Yıldırım brille comme une lanterne rougeoyante dans une nuit brumeuse. The rest of ‘Dost 2’ reveals another string of Grup Şimşek originals : the stunning ‘Yeni Yürekle’ (“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 bağlama solo ; Derya Yıldırım’s delicate instrumental composition ‘Mola’ (“break”) ; and the heartbreaking ‘Meraklı Gönül’ (“curious heart”) with its melodic bassline and expressive wah-wah chords. The album concludes with ‘Ayşe Halam Arıyor’, a folk song known as ‘Bulgar Dağı’ (“Bulgarian mountain”) that was sung over the phone by Derya’s aunt Ayşe during a rehearsal, and spontaneously recorded by the band. Ayşe Yıldırım is also the author of the poem ‘Hastane Önü’ 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 Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek will bring sounds, people and emotions together.