Anatolian psych-pop sensations Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek (pronounced ‘Shimshek’) are back with their second album Dost 1 (‘friend’), the first of a two part series, to be released in 2021. Fronted by Berlin based, Turkish singer and multi-instrumentalist Derya Yıldırım and with members in France and Great Britain, the group is known for its contemporary takes on traditional Anatolian folk ballads whilst drawing on a heady mix of psychedelia, jazz and the omnivorous pop universe of the present day. Derya Yıldırım and her trans-continental band of brothers and sisters are an essential guide for contemporary psychedelia.

After the success of 2019’s debut Kar Yağar, a rousing, psychedelic take on traditional Anatolian folk songs and originals inspired in part by the legendary Turkish poet Nâzım Hikmet Ran, the six-track release sees the band once again cast a contemporary light on old Anatolian classics, as well as offering a selection of innovative original compositions. Led by Yıldırım’s vocals and bağlama (Turkish lute), the album features intricate yet dancey arrangements, where noodling bass and atmospheric organ chords collide to spectacular effect. “We always want to push our sounds further, and constantly evolve,” says Yıldırım.