In Search of a groove? Altin Gün delivers on their latest release Așk.
As a fan of music, we each find what appeals to us. Maybe lyricism speaks to you, maybe you love the technical proficiency of a talented guitarist. For me, I am always in search of a groove. In that pursuit of groove, I was introduced to Altın Gün through their track Ordunun Dereleri on some random playlist. Ever since then I have been diving into their catalog and learning more about the band along the way.
Hailing from Amsterdam, Altin Gün is a psychedelic folk-rock band. The band’s music is heavily influenced by traditional Turkish folk music from the 60s and 70s, and they blend these sounds with western psychedelic rock, funk, and disco. As a fan of jam music there are a lot of qualities to their sound that caught my ear and on their newest album Așk they are continuing much of what originally drew me to their sound while also continuing to introduce me to a world of sound that continues to captivate me.
The newest album Așk contains much of the same energy that I have come to love from the band but also finds the traditional Turkish folk music folk sound that is at their core amplified. There is a good reason for this. Așk is not just inspired by Turkish folk music but is actually a collection of traditional folk songs interpreted through the Altın Gün lens of 70’s psychedelic pop.
“Aşk sees Altın Gün veering away from the electronic, synth-drenched sound of their critically acclaimed 2021 albums, Âlem and Yol, to capture all the infectious power and urgency of the Amsterdam-based band’s famously propulsive live performances. Recorded using vintage equipment and techniques, the album’s ten groundbreaking tracks all represent visionary new readings of traditional Turkish folk tunes, revealing how these ancient songs remain eternally resonant and ripe for reinterpretation.”
Not only did the band return to the sound of their timeless inspiration but they also returned to a recording setup that allows them to capture the essence of who they are as a live band. During the pandemic, the band recorded their albums Âlem and Yol and while each was great, the recording process found them each recording separately and in general simply creating a slightly different vibe than what had been heard in their previous efforts. With the ability to return to the studio as a band and using vintage equipment Altin Gün has crafted a fun collection of tunes here on Așk that is full of energy and of course groove.
“We took a very traditional approach to recording a rock album, like in the 70s,” bassist Jasper Verhulst adds. In this instance, that doesn’t just mean getting six musicians together in a room with a few microphones. “It’s also about the gear that we are using,” says Verhulst, “the tape and everything.”
As an album review, this is a tough one, I have no previous knowledge of Turkish folk tunes. However, what I do have the ability to discuss is a groove, and this album has plenty of it. From psychedelic to disco, to even reggae notes, this album keeps the energy high and the groove moving. From the opening notes of the album with “Badi Sabah Olmadan,” you can tell that the album has a slightly different feel from their previous releases. The band has communicated that this album feels more like a live studio album and purposefully so as they have stated that they were hoping to capture and showcase the energy of their live performances here. I have never had a chance to catch them live but you can most definitely sense the fun they have playing together across the album and sense it culminating in jams like “Çıt Çıt Çedene”. Așk is full of up and down high energy jams from track to track and even embedded within actual songs like stand out track for me “Rakıya Su Katamam”. This song begins with a crunchy bass intro. that feeds into a psychedelic wavy guitar sound that carries into the main groove of the song before exploding into a jam that carries traditional vibes in conjunction with a contemporary jam. The album does mellow just a touch on the final tracks before ending on a high note of groove with the disco space jam of “Doktor Civanim” culminating what an enthralling ride through a world of sound and influences was, and most importantly for me, groove!
Așk the new album from Altın Gün will be released on Friday, March 31. If you are a fan of groove, the psychedelic sound, and what we call world music then this album has plenty to offer. Much like their previous work the sound is infectious and with Așk the band comes full circle as they not only continue to enlighten their audiences but also share the energy of their passion for this music and for playing with each other live.
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