Gaye Su Akyol

Review by Genaro Aguilera-Reza

The short: 

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Gaye Su Akyol is a singer that is bringing the Anatolian rock sound back to the mainstream. Her music is becoming increasingly popular in the Middle East and Europe.

The long: 

Originally an accomplished painter, Gaye Su Aykol decided to start exploring with music in the mid-2000s. She is credited with popularizing the Anatolian rock sound with newer generations. This genre was very popular in the 70s when Turkish musicians started to mix Western psychedelic rock music with traditional Turkish sounds and structures. Aykol mentions that her main influences include Turkish classical music and Western bands like Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, and Sonic Youth. Her music is getting more scrutiny as the lyric content and style differ from the increasingly religious landscape in Turkish society. Despite the difficulty of creating music in the current political climate of Turkey, she continues to rise in popularity by releasing new records and video clips that are getting millions of views worldwide.

To listen or not to listen:

Listen! Gaye Su Akyol has a unique aesthetic and the mix of Turkish and psychedelic rock sounds make a great combination. Some of her most popular tracks include İstikrarlı Hayal Hakikattir & Gamzedeyim Deva Bulmam.