Istanbul synth-wave vanguards Jakuzi are back with a new album 'Hati Payı' set for release April 5th via City Slang Records. The first single & video "Şüphe" is streaming online now. 

Speaking about the video, director Eli Kasavi said:

"During a rehearsal of a theatre group, we focus on a couple’s relationship. These two people, who seem to be very flirtatious at the beginning, gradually become distant to each other. We begin to get suspicious whether their change of mood is caused by a third person’s presence or that they are actually turning into the characters that they have been rehearsing for."

Istanbul synth-wave vanguards Jakuzi turned heads in 2017 with the release of their debut album 'Fantezi Müzik’ which showcased their modern Turkish underground music to the world. This record saw the band go against what you would stereotypically expect from a male-fronted band out of Istanbul – Turkish music is not necessarily known for being a genre where men are introspective - but Jakuzi’s gothic sensibility addressed the personal psychological issues they were facing.

When they originally released their debut on cassette in 2016, no one expected it to leave their circle, especially not the band themselves, but the record was re-released with new tracks in early 2017 via City Slang Records and immediately gained more attention than anyone anticipated. All of this seemed to happen over night, with praise from international outlets like The Quietus & The Guardian and the band also got to play sold-out shows with their musical idol John Maus. 

Despite all the positivity that came with this, it came not without issues. The reality for a band in Turkey is challenging, both from an economical and personal perspective. Singing in Turkish for Jakuzi vocalist Kutay Soyocak is important to express himself, but it also means that the opportunities are limited. There are no playlists in for Turkish DIY dream pop dark wave bands, their songs will not be played on the traditional radio shows and there’s no mass market for attending punk shows. Jakuzi will always end up as the outcasts in the corner, even if your plays stack up to over two million. Paving your own path is hard, and not always rewarding. 

But Jakuzi were not willing to give up. Arriving two years after their debut, 'Hati Payı'  (literally translated as ‘’a part of the mistake”) delves deeper and explores further all the feelings that were touched upon in their debut - what it’s like to be a young adult growing up in Istanbul, having success and then having to live up to expectations, being an artist in a country that doesn’t necessarily support your work, managing personal relationships and also addressing mental health. ‘'Hati Payı' ’brings a more refined, darker sound to the surface, exploring the human condition.

Speaking about his personal journey creating this record, Kutay said:

“I think my own melancholy is coming from where I live. This can be seen in the lyrics. I feel dark, lost and lonely. The country that I’m living in just puts me in these feelings. The economy and politics here feels like life without hope. The future is dark for us in here. Trying to keep our hopes high and continuing what we do. The audience is getting bigger every day and they support us and it is just pure love in our gigs.”

As a result, Jakuzi are here to offer a home to anyone who has ever felt out of place. Instead of sinking into his personal abyss, Kutay Soyocak croons and purs his heart out on 'Hati Payı', which blends elements of dark wave, krautrock, post punk and British early 80s synth sounds in the hope that by confronting and observing his inner demons, he’s able to help himself and also the listeners.

Produced by Taner Yücel and recorded in Istanbul ‘'Hati Payı' is about acceptance, acceptance of every community, every gender, every race, ever sexuality and also about acceptance of yourself and dealing with the demons that come with being alive in the modern day.

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