Sublime production is quick to set this music apart – Caner Yeniyurt is both a songwriter and sound engineer, and the skill and passion united throughout One Tree allows the song to completely consume its listener.
From the outset, the ambient embrace of One Tree is alluring, and the leading voice and lyrical concept, the melody, all builds further upon that opening quality.
The song gets more and more immersive, more and more passionate, the imagery brighter, stronger, the arrangement celebratory, the groove addictive. It’s a catchy gem of a track, and a personal favourite from this season so far – a fine introduction to an artist worth knowing about. A certain depth washes over the space, with the soulful peak of the hook resounding and lingering.
“If I knew what I know now, I would not have turned away.”
A Turkish born creative, currently living in Sweden and with extensive travels in Africa clearly influencing the tribal rhythms at play throughout his repertoire, Caner Yeniyurt continues to impress. One Tree told the story of a tree fighting a storm on a hill, and Kedi Knows, somewhat more upbeat and funky, depicts an arrogant cat, walking the streets of Istanbul.
These scenes and vibes are fascinating, and brilliantly original, and there’s also a clear sense of recognisable identity to all things Caner Yeniyurt. Intriguing lyrics, gentle but deep vocals, catchy rhythms and warming bass – a dreamy and engaging set-up every time, with a divine melodic thread.
As we move into The Way Gives, a healing frequency of calm, atmospheric appeal leads us into a colourful riff, that ever-enchanting voice, and the song brightens in more of a mainstream pop-dance anthemic fashion. Think somewhere between the likes of Nick Mulvey and The Temper Trap. An absolute earworm and beautifully satisfying, especially when listened to on repeat – a quality that quickly sets Caner Yeniyurt apart, in terms of longevity as a musician.
Also securing his cultural roots amidst the landscape of original music, Gecer is a Turkish song that works to remind listeners of the temporary nature of everything in life. Here we get a world-music-infused arrangement of dreamy notes and clicks, rising through a wholly hypnotic, multi-layered and hopeful production, with a few subtle traits of something Celtic-like during the latter half. And this wind-instrument guidance continues throughout the addictive and faster-paced ambient bliss of a sensational Breathe Like Earth.
Finally, one last highlight from a superb collection, Real Slow draws focus to a more upbeat, laid-back and fun side of the Caner Yeniyurt approach. The groove is colourful again, a catchy bounce of an organic track, with wind instruments, funky bass, hand rhythms, and Gospel-style vocals united in a choir of imagery and appreciation. The melody is brilliantly satisfying, but also long-form enough to impress and feel genuinely original.
Real Slow is a personal favourite, but in truth, the entire Caner Yeniyurt repertoire of music is a pure joy to let ring out at volume. I’ll be listening again, and I highly recommend this playlist.
Find Caner Yeniyurt on Soundcloud, Facebook, Instagram & YouTube.
