THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “After her third album Mektuplar in 2020, Nilipek. remained silent for four years except for special projects and collaborations. The influential singer-songwriter from Turkey has finally returned with her long-awaited fourth album Uydurdugumuz Oyunlarla.
Combining elements of intricate songwriting, poetic Turkish lyrics, and compelling arrangements, Uydurduğumuz Oyunlarla will captivate listeners with its emotive depth and sonic innovation. From the haunting melodies to the introspective storytelling, each track on the album showcases Nilipek.’s unparalleled talent and evolution as an artist.
Uydurdugumuz Oyunlarla (The Games We Made Up) can be identified as a weird-pop album in which the artist navigates between genres without difficulty. The tracks promise the listener a 45-minute uninterrupted journey while combining political symbolism in lyrics with innovative musical arrangements.
Co-produced by Nilipek., Berkay Kücükbaslar and Taner Yucel, the album also elegantly portrays Nilipek.’s musical evolution since her first album in 2015. Nilipek. defines the album as a story of independence. “The songs in this album were written for the lies, the people, the situations that restrict us, that keep us where we are, that prevent us from being who we are — including ourselves,” says Nilipek. “Maybe this is why, this was the album that I felt most independent during the production process.”
For those who need to brush up on their Turkish, here’s a quick breakdown of the songs:
1 | Yalan Soyledik (We Lied)
A pop-rock song with surprising elements throughout the song. Lyrics point out the lies that keep us where we are, and how everyone is aware of it.
2 | Kosk (A Mansion)
A pop song with oriental figures, without excluding the indie attitude. In the song, the character burns down their own mansion; a beautiful, deceptive prison.
3 | Menekse (Violet)
The song is in 9/8 rhythm, and inspired by Turkish folk songs for pastoral definitions, repetitions and vocal melodies. The song depicts a process of separation, and the inability of being upset.
4 | Gecmiyor Zaman (Time’s Not Passing)
Gecmiyor Zaman is the first single from the album, released nearly a year ago. It is a pop song, telling the hardness of ending the fight inside even after time passed. The song was welcomed by popular Turkish radios and TVs, and its video was nominated in the Buenos Aires Music Video Awards’ International Pop Category, alongside Harry Styles, Troye Sivan and Olivia Rodriguez.
5 | Sandigim (My Chest / What I Thought)
An acoustic, almost naked, sad song with beautiful, moving string parts. The lyrics depict a sadness and the inability of communication kept inside.
6 | Mezar (The Grave)
One of the weirdest songs in the album with uncanny vocal melodies, and haunting elements. The song asks the reason and necessity for pride in a relationship, and if there is pride in heart, will there be room for one another.
7 | Sirf Kirabilmek Icin (Just To Be Able To Break)
A stoner-rock song with Beatles influences, the song narrate the process of losing oneself in other’s requests and manipulations in a reproachful manner, saying: “Just to be able to break, you repaired me again and again and again.”
8 | Fotograf (Photograph)
Fotograf can be defined as a rock ballad, filled with nostalgia for days with old friends that are not with us anymore.
9 | Iz (Trace)
The song is another alternative ballad, depicting wounds that are hard to get better. The lyrics define the emotion of not being able to get rid of the things that are done way before us and how the remorse still hurts when we smile.
10 | Baykus (The Owl) ft. No Land
A long-awaited duet from multinational independent band No Land and Nilipek., the song is about how it is impossible to see any hope for staying where we are. Even the memories are lost.
11 | Bir Ses Var (There Is a Voice)
A hopeful ending after Baykuş; the two can also be counted as one song. The song starts with pan and pot sounds from Gezi protests and continue with strings and electronic rhythms, telling us the beauty of being together, shoulder to shoulder.
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