AySay is a Copenhagen-based band that combines Anatolian folk and Nordic pop through the Danish/Kurdish heritage of lead singer Luna Ersahin
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AySay has released their third studio album ‘Mal’ via V2 records
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AySay is a Copenhagen-based band that combines Anatolian folk and Nordic pop through the Danish/Kurdish heritage of lead singer Luna Ersahin. They create a musical space where boundaries are broken down, leaving you with a raw human experience — somewhere on the spectrum between hope and hopelessness.
"Mal” is a hypnotic Anatolian rock journey about returning home. Sung in Turkish, Kurdish, and Danish, the tracks on the album fuse driving guitars, folk-inspired melodies, and trance-like grooves, blending tradition with a modern edge.
Drawing inspiration from both old and new legends like Barış Manço, Selda Bağcan, and Altin Gün, as well as Nordic pioneers like Björk and Eivør, AySay crafts a sound that is both nostalgic and forward-looking.
Luna Ersahin says this about the album’s themes: “MAL" means home in Kurdish.
The songs on this album are about what it’s been like to be me over the last few years; finding my version of home in the middle of the madness we’re experiencing in the world right now. It’s about the interaction between feeling hopeless and hopeful. About learning from and recognizing heroes of our time, like Malala Yousafzai and Jina Mahsa Amini. About being a woman who loves women. About being Kurdish and learning what that means — even if you never learned the language. About being mixed. About having your social media accounts shut down because so many people reported you for showing the hair on your legs. About a broken heart. And through all of this — how showing up softly in the world can be the most radical thing. Softly, I believe.
I believe everyone has a right to a home.
The focus track on “Mal” is “Den om en mand (Haline Bak)”, which translates to “the one about a man (look at yourself)”. It fuses a Danish verse with a Turkish chorus about a man who promises the world but ends up leaving when the going gets tough. The lyrics are full of sarcasm and an awareness that these things, unfortunately, are only learned by doing. “Den om en mand (Haline Bak)” is one of only two songs on the album with Danish lyrics.
AySay continues their exploration of multilingual, cross-cultural music, bridging Turkish, Kurdish, and Danish culture while carrying listeners on a psychedelic, Anatolian rock/folk-infused ride through a Nordic landscape.
Musical Excellence and Recognition for Aysay
In addition, AySay received the prestigious Carl Prisen Award as Roots Composer of the Year, further solidifying AySay’s reputation for groundbreaking artistry.
Their second album, ‘KÖY’, released in October 2023, is a captivating celebration of cultural heritage. Building on the success of their critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Su Akar’ (2021), ‘KÖY’ showcases AySay’s evolution. Immersing listeners in lush textures and intoxicating melodic themes, the album redefines Anatolian rock for a global audience. Building on new and old legends like Altin Gün, AURORA, and Eivør.
AySay’s music resonates far beyond Denmark. Their powerful performances and genre-crossing style have captivated audiences at renowned festivals, including Roskilde Festival (DK), Montreal Jazz Festival (Canada), Les Escales (France), Eurosonic (Netherlands), and Reeperbahn (Germany). Their tours have spanned Canada, France, Germany, Scandinavia, and even Greenland, showcasing their ability to connect with audiences worldwide.
With vibrant live shows, critical acclaim, and a unique cultural tapestry, AySay continues to captivate audiences and redefine the boundaries of what mainstream music is. |
