Jakuzi – Hata Payı
The hidden gem from Istanbul you have probably not heard of. But you will. And you will listen to something you haven’t in quite a while.
The emergence of the Istanbul-based band Jakuzi in 2015 marked a profound paradigm shift within the Turkish independent music landscape. Founded by vocalist Kutay Soyocak and multi-instrumentalist Taner Yücel as a conscious departure from their previous punk-oriented endeavors, the project sought to carve out a distinct aesthetic space within the local scene. Drawing heavy inspiration from mid-1980s Western European gothic rock, post-punk, and synthpop—specifically the sonic textures of Robert Smith, Joy Division, and Depeche Mode—Jakuzi forged a style that was historically unprecedented in modern Turkish popular music.
Crucially, the band’s underground output has been recognized for creating a culturally safe haven for individuals seeking refuge from societal conformity and persecution. By utilizing Turkish lyrics set against bleak, synthetic rhythms, the group bypasses traditional linguistic barriers. This enables international audiences to focus on the emotional gravitas and atmospheric texture of Soyocak’s baritone vocals rather than literal translation.
Released on April 5, 2019, through the Berlin-based label City Slang, Hata Payı (literally translating to “a part of the mistake” or “margin of error”) represents the second studio album in Jakuzi’s official discography. It stands as the direct successor to their 2016 debut Fantezi Müzik.
The production of the album coincided with a significant transition in the band’s structural lineup: co-founder Taner Yücel retired from active stage performances in 2018 but remained the core producer, arranger, and co-composer for the studio record. This logistical shift allowed the band to streamline its live presentation, which now features Can Kalyoncu on drums, Meriç Erseçgen on bass, and Ahmetcan Gökçeer on guitars and synthesizers, while preserving Yücel’s intricate studio orchestration. The technical execution of the record was further bolstered by mixer Meriç Erseçgen and mastering engineer Chris Sansom, ensuring a polished, modern darkwave finish that juxtaposes retro aesthetics with contemporary high fidelity.
Thematically, Hata Payı dives into the dark recesses of human vulnerability, relationship decay, nihilism, and psychological isolation. Unlike their debut, which paired dark lyrics with occasionally upbeat, lo-fi pop arrangements, this sophomore record leans heavily into an introspective, claustrophobic atmosphere. The track sequence is masterfully paced to guide the listener through varying degrees of tension.
The opening track, “Sana Göre Bir Şey Yok” (“According to You, There Is Nothing”), establishes a desolate landscape driven by sweeping synthesizer waves and a prominent bassline, representing the individual’s profound sense of alienation from society. This is followed by “Şüphe,” which relies on staccato synthesizers and a flamboyant, Bowie-esque vocal delivery to generate a sense of paranoid, creeping anxiety.
The record shifts dynamically between pop-oriented accessibility and devastating bleakness. Songs like “Kalbim Köprü Gibi” evoke the spacious, guitar-driven pop sensibility of mainstream-era Cure, detailing an intricate emotional love triangle, while “Kendine Rağmen” stands out as a polished, modern synthpop gem. In stark contrast, the frantic energy of “İstemezdim” explores a narrative that ultimately culminates in suicide.
The album’s emotional climax is achieved in “Ne Teselli Ne Avuntu,” where Soyocak drops his vocal register into a low, sunken state. This track’s heavy atmosphere was so resonant that it later received a prominent remix by the darkwave project The Soft Moon, further cementing its status in the international dark alternative scene.
