Describing themselves as “outernational” rather than international to capture the idea of a sound that is inclusive and beyond borders, Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek bring together their varied backgrounds to create an intoxicating sound. Yıldırım is German born to Turkish parents whose language she sings in as it best reflects her emotions. Drummer Helen Wells is Berlin-based via South Africa while the ensemble is completed by two people from France, Graham Mushnik (an army of keyboards) and Antonin Voyant (guitar and bass). On ‘Yarin Yoksa’ which translates as ‘If There Is No Tomorrow’ and was recorded in New York City, they have created one of 2025’s most enchanting albums which combines Anatolian folk with psychedelia, soul and pop. This combination of influences lends it a unique quality which is given added zest by Yıldırım’s extraordinary voice, the fluidity of the playing and seamless production from Leon Michels of El Michels Affair.
The eleven tracks that make up ‘Yarin Yoksa’ are primarily original compositions but do include a couple of reinterpreted traditional Anatolian folk songs. One aspect that gives the album its distinctive sound is Yıldırım’s playing of the baglama which is part of a family of plucked string instruments and long-necked lutes that are used in traditional Turkish, Iranian and Armenian folk music, Using musical scales that are different from Western instruments and featuring ratios that are closer to quarter tones, it lends itself to heightened emotion and helps create the album’s psychedelic mood.
The first two tracks demonstrate the variety in Yıldırım’s vocals. Opener, ‘Çiçek Açiyor’ sees her serenaded by baglama and soulful keys as she ululates passionately. In contrast, there is a light playfulness to ‘Cool Hand’, a love song about finding peace through acceptance of a broken heart. Reducing the tempo further, ‘Yakamoz’ maintains the soulful feel, keyboard wrapping round a contemplative bass groove. Yıldırım’s voice balances beauty and distress as she contemplates the emotions caused by displacement and learning to accept that her roots will remain within her so that anywhere she settles will be home.
A traditional tune, ‘Hop Bico’, signifies another tempo shift. Beginning with whirring synths, the song has a buoyant, repetitive vocal, fuzzed guitar and baglama together with an exhilarating percussion break. ‘Bilemedim Ki’ is virtually a lullaby and leads into the short instrumental, ‘Yüz Yüze’, which forms a midpoint intermission, its keys creating a 1960s TV theme tune vibe. The sharp turn into ‘İstanbul’un Kuşları’ with its heavy psych guitars is indicative of the gamut of styles and atmospheres that they conjure with excellence. The way Yıldırım holds some long notes are especially memorable and another way in which extra emotion is created.
Any prize for the most danceable track would surely go to ‘Direne Direne’ with its funky bassline and keys that blare like horns. It is an infectious protest song as Yıldırım’s story of personal struggle marries with a call to resist oppression. The irresistible mood of danceability is maintained with ‘Ceylan’ merging baglama and keys while the vocals are at their most heartfelt and passionate. It is all rounded off with a celebratory conga roll at its conclusion.
The spellbinding acapella introduction to ‘Misket’ is another highlight to an album strewn with them. Later, Yıldırım’s voice is accompanied by only a singular, sustained organ note which adds to its emotional impact. The song itself is a folk song from Ankara/Türkiye which contemplates death and how the living maintain a relationship with those who have passed. ‘Yarin Yoksa’ concludes in reflective mood with ‘Güneş’. Born out of a baglama introduction, the vocals have a charming delicacy while the keyboards twirl mesmerizingly.
Later in the year, Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek released an instrumental version of ‘Yarin Yoksa’ which offered an opportunity to focus upon the quality of the music without being distracted by the startling voice. However, it is the earlier release that is the focus of this review and the one that is most recommendable, a sublime blend of moods and styles that sounds unlike anything else in 2025.
Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek: Yarin Yoksa – Released 14 March 2025 (Big Crown Records)
Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek – Yarın Yoksa – Full Album Stream
I was editor of the long-running fanzine, Plane Truth, and have subsequently written for a number of publications. While the zine was known for championing the most angular independent sounds, performing in recent years with a community samba percussion band helped to broaden my tastes so that in 2021 I am far more likely to be celebrating an eclectic mix of sounds and enthusing about Made Kuti, Anthony Joseph, Little Simz and the Soul Jazz Cuban compilations as well as Pom Poko and Richard Dawson.
