Turkish singer Başak Yavuz, living in Berlin, pushes the boundaries of music with her new album Raum 610. Her career, which began in Istanbul, continued with music education in New York, and now in Berlin, blends her music with the energy and chaotic rhythm of big cities. The album invites listeners to a bold fusion of genres such as jazz, rock, funk, and hip-hop.
Promised Lands: A Dynamic Opening
The opening track, “Promised Lands,” brings together a range of musical styles, from jazz to hip-hop, creating an energetic atmosphere that captivates the listener. This fusion reflects Başak Yavuz’s ability to capture the fast-paced chaos of life in Berlin. The track’s competing rhythms and styles perfectly demonstrate Yavuz’s limitless musical vision, much like Duke Ellington once said, “You’ve got to find some way of saying it without saying it.” Through “Promised Lands,” Yavuz conveys a message without boundaries, just as the city itself knows no limits.
Architecture and Music: Başak Yavuz’s Artistic Journey
With a background in architecture from Istanbul, Başak Yavuz seamlessly integrates the structure and balance of this discipline into her music. Raum 610 emerges as a creative composition of these structures, with each song resembling a complex architectural design. It’s an experience where not only sounds but also emotions rise layer by layer. Yavuz’s understanding of music, much like Frank Gehry’s architectural works, thrives on the harmony of contrasts and balance. Just as Gehry once said, “Your best work is your expression of yourself,” Yavuz’s Raum 610 allows her to masterfully express the duality of chaos and order through sound.
Progressive Rock and Creative Collaborations
The album prominently features the influence of progressive rock. Guitarist Sebastian Böhlen plays a significant role in shaping the sound of Raum 610. Having met Başak Yavuz at the Manhattan School of Music, Böhlen contributed not only by performing on the album but also by helping with its arrangement and selecting other musicians. Yavuz emphasizes that such collaborations enhanced the creative energy of the album, showcasing the powerful synergy between the artists.
“Raum 610” and a Cultural Journey
The cultural journey of Başak Yavuz, marked by her time in Istanbul, New York, and Berlin, is deeply felt throughout the album. The rich diversity of these three cities merges in Yavuz’s music, creating what she calls a “playground for adults.” Listeners are offered a space where they can step away from the stress of everyday life and immerse themselves in creativity and emotion.
A New Beginning: Post-Pandemic Music and Screenwriting
During the pandemic, Yavuz took screenwriting courses, which led her to approach songwriting like crafting a film script. Each track on the album draws listeners into a narrative, taking them on a new journey. This storytelling method reinforces the album’s multi-layered structure, making it an even more immersive experience.
Başak Yavuz’s Third Album: “Raum 610”
Başak Yavuz’s third album, Raum 610, offers a musical journey inspired by diverse cultures and music genres. Each listen promises new discoveries, once again proving Yavuz’s boundary-pushing creative power.
Raum 610 is an adventure filled with surprises, where the complex structure of music comes together seamlessly. Listeners will want to revisit this album repeatedly, uncovering a new story with every experience.
