Turkey

Last year the producer and instrumentalist Başak Günak, also known as Ah! Kosmos, released her debut album, was a follow-up to the critically acclaimed EP called “Flesh”.

“Bastards” is a grandiose record in every sense, drifting you from emotion to emotion. This compact album takes you in immediately, and you will probably not want to leave its cold, dark world. A must listen for sure.

♪♫ Listen: “And Finally We’re Glacier” + album stream

Ah! Kosmos on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, www.

After some precious recordings, many concerts and a nice growing audience around the city, Ahmet Ali Arslan released his first EP, “Su Akar Deli Bakar”.

He’s got the right understanding of Classical Turkish Music tradition, and with this mini album he gave beautiful songs with captivating makams inside. And most important of all, with a clear, undegenerated singing style.

Let’s hope we don’t have to wait too long for Arslan’s full-length record after such a lovely EP.

♪♫ Listen: “Biberonçini”

Ahmet Ali Arslan on Soundcloud, Facebook, YouTube + beehype.

After a long eight-year period, Ahmet Arslan finally released a new album, which he filled with very powerful folk tunes and stories of Anatolia.

Like his first two records, on “Na-Mükemmel” you can find songs with Turkish, Kurdish and Zazaki lyrics, making each listen a thoroughly unique experience.

♪♫ Listen: “Geberiyorum”

Ahmet Aslan on Facebook, Twitter, www.

After a decade long wait, the Istanbul-based group Ars Longa finally released their highly anticipated album, “Günler”.

From the first sound to the very end, it’s beautifully arranged, emotional, and sometimes dramatic. The only thing we can say is that it was worth all the waiting.

♫ Listen: “Beyaz Kale”

Ars Longa on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter.

“Sömestr” is the third album from the Istanbul-based group Ayyuka, and it consists of instrumental songs and masterfully improvised melodies.

Say hail to the big brothers of the scene, and let yourself into the arms of their powerful, colourful music that gives you more and more with every listen.

♪♫ Listen: “Sömestr” + album stream

Ayyuka on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, www.

Barış Demirel puts his trumpet at the center of his music and he has created one of the most unique sounds of this year, finally giving critics a valid reason to use the word “eclectic” in reviews.

You can easily hear traditional Turkish modes (makam) or Middle Eastern melodies merged with more Western sounds, elements and genres in his great LP titled “T.E.A.R.”.

♪♫ Listen: “Agahamam Apartmani’nda Bir Cicek” + album stream

Barış Demirel on www, Soundcloud, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook + beehype.

Another long-awaited album from Biz, their second LP came out three years after the impressive debut “Müzik İstiyoruz” and it shows us that they keep getting stronger.

With all their ingredients – music, lyrics, sounds, videos – they give us a feeling that we are lucky to meet them and see this growth.

♪♫ Listen: “Yoksun (Benden Aldığın Her Şey Keşke)”

Biz on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, www + beehype.

Can Güngör is one of the most talented names in Turkish music scene and you can see it the moment you turn on his new record, “Silik Düşler”.  In 20 or 30 years he will get a golden medal both for songwriting, arranging and producing music.

It may sound too brave to say that, but this album is the best record of the year.

♪♫ Listen: “Hiçbir Sebep Yok”

Can Güngör on Facebook, Soundcloud, Instagram + beehype.

Very important cover album from Ceyl’an Ertem, one of the most productive musicians of the scene who also appeared in our Best of 2014. On “YUH!”, she collected classic songs from different genres and sung them in her unique way.

After all kinds of great works and experiments both on her solo albums and various collaborations, she probably felt that it was time to pay respect to elders.

♪♫ Listen: “Bir Erkek Yüzünden“

Ceyl’an Ertem on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter.

The only mainstream “rapstar” we have here on this list, Ceza made another LP after a long time and it satisfied his fans in many ways.

While “Suspus” doesn’t not bring a dramatic change in his music, one can feel he is getting bigger as a writer and performer with every album, and let’s hope this trend continues.

♪♫ Listen: “Suspus”

Ceza on Facebook, Twitter, www.

With her second effort, “Misfit”, Elif Çağlar shows she is not only one of the best vocalists in this part of the world, but she is also a great composer, arranger and producer.

As this album was partly crowdfunded, and Elif is accompanied here by a number of famous jazz musicians, “Misfit” also brings a certain feeling of collectivity.

♪♫ Listen: “Catch Us If You Can”

Elif Çağlar on Facebook, Twitter, www.

Electronic album from a former drummer, “Geri Donusum Kutusundaki Anilar” is certainly one of the craziest albums that was released last year not only in Turkey.

Emir Yargin has brought many different genres together, worked with fellow alternative musicians and came up with a collection of songs that reflect his unique approach.

♪♫ Listen: “Oturmaya mi geldik?”

Emir Yargin on Facebook, Twitter, www + beehype.

Turn up the volume and do whatever you feel the music wants you to do. And you’ll be right!

With their new EP, “Türkçe Sözlü Ağır Müzik”, Istanbul-based trio Eskiz remind us about the obvious truth that to be a protest band is not only about the lyrics, but also about the way that express it.

♪♫ Listen: “Patron”

Eskiz on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, www.

If you want to hear dubstep in its most minimal form – but still with some experiments in it – you should have a try of what Gantz has to offer.

The most famous electronic stuff producer in Turkey, he’s got a substantial following also in parts of the world too. And the guests he invited for his new EP, “Witch Blues”, add some more colours to his already diverse catalogue.

♪♫ Listen: “Rockstar” (ft. Rider Shafique)

Gantz on Soundcloud, Facebook.

Gevende are simply too good to be true. Another big brothers who compose and play music makes you feel you’ve just landed in the middle of a fascinating musical story.

In many of their songs they are using a language that not exist on earth, and this impressive live recording of their performance at St. Antuan church takes us to a new, beautiful world every time you push play.

♪♫ Listen: full performance

Gevende on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, www.

Big guns of the scene strike back with their third album after a long time. On “Kapılar”, they show us they haven’t lost anything from their charisma and writing talent.

İhtiyaç Molası have enough rock and progressive penchant in their veins, that when they perform adults sit in silence, fascinated or overwhelmed, while little kids keep playing around the stage.

♪♫ Listen: “Kapasite”

İhtiyaç Molası on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, www.

Although “She Got Caught” is the very first EP of In Hoodies, it quickly caught İstanbul indie music scene’s attention.

The man behind this project, Murat Kılıkçıer’s instrument-like voice and simple but not shallow song structures make differ In Hoodies from other indie rock, and make this EP one of the releases we’ll remember 2015 for.

♪♫ Listen: “She Got Caught” + album stream

In Hoodies on Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp, Instagram, www + beehype.

Frontman of the legendary Turkish rock band Duman released his first solo album last year. He recorded it just with an acoustic guitar and harmonica. The album begins with words: “If you have a gun in your hand, I hand you a guitar then.”

“Gölge Etme” is one of the most protest thing from a frontman of a such a popular rock group. With these lyrics and minimal recording style, it opened new door not only just for him.

♪♫ Listen: “Taksim Meydanı”

Kaan Tangöze on Facebook.

If you want to know something about psychedelic rock as it is in the 21st century, we invite you to listen to “Sis Pus Sus” by one of Turkey’s best rock quartets.

On their new album, Kırkbinsinek let out sounds they’ve been collecting for many years, just as they’ve been gaining new followers not only in Turkey, but in other psychedelic parts of the world.

♪♫ Listen: “Hoyrat” + album stream

Kırkbinsinek on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.

We know Lara di Lara very well from the acclaimed group 123, and we are all proud of her. Now she released her own solo album with beautiful lyrics and an excellent sound.

On “Oraya Doğru”, she has collected some worthwhile stories to tell her listeners, and she’s invited some great musicians to help her do it well.

♪♫ Listen: “Hayal”

Lara di Lara on Soundcloud, Facebook, YouTube, www.

Legendary rock band Mavisakal released got together again after 17 years and released a new EP! This seems to be a sufficient reason why you should listen them, but it’s not the only one.

When we were kids, they gave us the first music lessons about how you can make rock music with Turkish lyrics in a good way. “Naklen” shows they are still faithful to their educational vocation.

♪♫ Listen: “Naklen”

Mavisakal on Facebook, Twitter, www.

Two clear synth pieces from two guys from Istanbul present the duo Men With A Plan as one of the most promising electronic projects in the city.

Although quite short, this EP shows they are reallt good in recordings, but if you have a chance to catch them on stage you will appreciate them even more, watching how they use analog machines and other toys in harmony with modern equipment.

♪♫ Listen: album stream

Men With A Plan on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter.

Turkish hip-hop with jazz samples – that’s the shortest way to describe Muasır’s music. But you would need to use about a dozen more genre tags to give it full credit.

“Tamura Kafka”, with the title inspired by one of characters created by the Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, is an astonishing work. Well, Çağdaş Şişman, the man behind the Muasır, was surprised, either.

♪♫ Listen: “Atlas Sırtında Yaşam” + album stream

Muasır on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter.

They are like ghost musicians. It is hard to find and see them, but if you have a chance – try to catch them. Especially if you’re into psychedelic or progressive rock.

They released one of the most exciting EPs of the last year, but soon after that they disappeared. Let’s hope it won’t take too long before the show up again.

♪♫ Listen: “İlk Kez” + album stream

Nekizm on Sondcloud, Bandcamp, Instagram, Facebook + beehype.

Nilipek describes her music as expression of fragments of personal experiences. She released her debut album, “Sabah”, at the end of 2015, and managed to create a fanbase in such a short period of time.

There are 10 minimal but intricate and highly emotional songs on “Sabah”. Some of them are quite young, while some other many years old. But even those who’ve been following Nilipek since she started career will admit this album was worth all the wait.

♪♫ Listen: “Kınalıada” + album stream

Nilipek. on Soundcloud, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook + beehype.

Formed in 2013 in Istanbul, Palmiyeler is a very sincere surf-rock and neo-psychedelia band. To define their music, they simply use their name, which means “Palm Trees”.

Their self-titled new EP includes five songs that will immediately teleport you to a cozy and chirpy place underneath – you guessed it – some palm trees. Don’t ignore the invitation.

♪♫ Listen: “Palmiyeler” + album stream

Palmiyeler on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter.

Reverie Falls On All is a captivating project of Barkın Engin and Burak Tamer, whom we know from the legendary band Replikas.

They have been producing music together since 2003, always far from any obvious sounds. And with this new album, “Rebloom”, they seem to have recorded their magnum opus.

♪♫ Listen: “Moon in the Water” + album stream

Reverie Falls On All on Bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter, www.

Bursa-based duo She Past Away have managed to become a famous and acclaimed band not only in Turkey but also abroad.

They are basically a post-punk band with dark wave and new wave elements, and their second album “Narin Yalnızlık” makes us more excited about what these guys can achieve in the upcoming years.

They are getting bigger and bigger with each passing year, and that’s a good thing.

♪♫ Listen: “Asimilasyon” + album stream

She Past Away on Soundcloud, Bandcamp, Facebook, YouTube.

Many have heard Son Feci Bisiklet’s name just in 2014 for the very first time. Yet, they managed to release one of the most popular indie albums of the last year.

But their success is no surprise. They have a fresh sound with playful and interesting lyrics, and thanks to the voice of the singer Arda Kemirgent, the band differs from anyone else in the genre, and in the entire scene.

♪♫ Listen: “Rahatsiz vals” + album stream

Son Feci Bisiklet on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, Bandcamp, YouTube + beehype.

In 2015, the Istanbul-based quartet The Away Days have become a very prominent figure in the international indie music scene and it was no coincidence.

“This” EP provides serious promise regarding their upcoming debut album, and it features three original songs with one acoustic version of “Calm Your Eyes”.

♪♫ Listen: “Calm Your Eyes” + album stream

The Away Days on Soundcloud, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.

You might already know The Ringo Jets from their self-titled album that appeared in our Best of 2014 feature. Last year, they released a new EP called “Evil Eye” in two parts, giving four new songs to those who like rock when it’s hard rock.

They gained fame with their song and video named “Spring of War“, which is about the Gezi Protests. With this new EP, they’ve proved that they are certainly not a one-shot thing.

♪♫ Listen: https://youtu.be/M00P1soYkeg Taras Bulba

The Ringo Jets on www, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter.

Another great work from one of our most unique musicians. Yasemin Mori released her third album without even coming close to her previous effort, except one thing: she created again great stuff!

On “Finnari Kakaraska”, she offers interesting stories in addition to a constantly evolving sound which draws lots of inspiration from psychedelic rock, jazz, and even movie soundtracks.

♪♫ Listen: “Elim Tetikte”

Yasemin Mori on Facebook, Twitter, www + beehype.