What We're Digging Right Now: Jakuzi
We’ve got awhile before we reach Turkey in our ongoing Occur Goes Global series, but a particular darkwave duo has captivated us so much, we had to introduce you to their tunes now. In a nation that was nearly torn apart by a coup in 2016, the men of Jakuzi are sticking out their necks to sing of sorrow and of fluid identity.
Their debut album, Fantezi Müzik (out March 24 on City Slang), carries on the smoky, spooky synth traditions of Joy Division with a splash of millennial optimism. Lead single “Koca Bir Saçmalik” slays like the best of the Killers, with a digital bounce provided by multi-instrumentalist Taner Yücel. And though he doesn’t sing in English, front man Kutay Soyocak has a baritone that has immense cross-cultural appeal.
Despite living in a country known for Draconian censorship, Jakuzi boldly discuss taboo topics. The Gary Numan-like “Lubunya” is considered one of the first pro-transgender-rights songs sung in Turkish. And in a land where machismo is king, Yücel and Soyocak dare to wear their hearts on their sleeves.
More from Melissa Bobbitt (See All)
Album review - School of Seven Bells
Melissa Bobbitt 0SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLSGhostoryVagrant It's fitting that School of Seven Bells named their newest release Ghostory because it is a blast from the past. Awash in Cure atmospherics and synths, this duo looks back...
Feb 25, 2012
What We're Digging Right Now - Matuto
Melissa Bobbitt 0Image by Vincent Soyez Whereas modern folk artists like Mumford & Sons draw inspiration from the Deep South - blazin' banjos and porch-rattling foot stomps - one band is migrating its influences to the Deep,...
May 19, 2013Comments
Recent posts
Subscribe!
Receive updates on what's going on in live entertainment, events, and music.
