En Kötü İyi Olur
Since the 1970s music in Turkey has been a powerful tool for the left wing resistance to express their discontent and get their message to the masses. Trio Lalalar harness all the power and outspokenness of Anatolian rock legends like Selda Bağcan and Cem Karaca in their second album En Kötü Iyi Olur, drawing on the riotous sounds of Istanbul’s fervent underground scenes, from hip hop to rock, post-punk, nu-metal, and club music. These are the sounds of the youth’s resistance to Erdoğan’s conservative rule, and Lalalar are a worthy flag-bearer: opener Avucunu Yaliyor (Whistle for It) talks about trying to succeed in Turkey’s unequal society (“some are born under a lucky star while others whistle for it” sings Ali Güçlü Şimşek, adding “I’ve been pissing in the wind for 40 years”) over a powerful synth bass and winding saz, while elsewhere soaring guitars, thumping bass, and Şimşek’s almost theatrical vocals express frustration with the status quo. Despite the feelings of discontent and dark undertones running through the album, strength and defiance surge through the album. This is the sound of a generation who’s going to fight for what they want — and have fun while they’re at it.