2021 Highlight Review: Altın Gün - Ordunun Dereleri
After reviewing Susan Darvishi's underrated gem New Salvation a few days ago, I continue the 2021 Highlights series, letting everyone know all the weird little underrated gems they need to check out. While New Salvation is certainly more underrated, I'd argue Ordunun Dereleri is an even better song. Admittedly, it was released at the tail-end of 2020, but I plan to count it for my end-of-year lists, and it honestly has a great chance to reach the top!
Altin Gün are currently at a crossroads, just like BTS. They started with a unique concept, in this case, Anatolian Rock, with a bit of Europop elements in the mix (they are a Turkish band based in Norway). However, as their popularity has grown, they have tried new things, often on-trend. Their 2021 album, Yol, had a large amount of disco influence, with title track Yüce Dağ Başında not even having any real Anatolian Rock in its bones. This has led to many of their fans complaining they have lost their artistry. However, Altin Gün are lightyears ahead of the crowd as far as disco goes, with Yol easily being one of the year's best albums.
It is in this strange landscape and time for the group that Ordunun Dereleri was released. The song is not exactly rock, but it perfectly bridges modern and old, while remaining distinctly Turkish in its identity. The song itself is not exactly new, the music and lyrics are from an old folktale about lost love in the city of Ordu, where a couple is separated due to a misunderstanding, as the young lady misses her lover. The song has been released as a pop track many, many times, by artists ranging from Ilkay Akkaya, Zara, and Ezel (why did they go with a disco for the Ezel one?). Of those three, the Akaya and Zara versions practically peak the traditional styles of the song, building the song into a quiet experience. While it would not be too off-concept for Altin Gün to try it in its original form, it would be repetitive. Thankfully, Altin Gün know better and incorporated some bass and synths into the track, completely reforming it.
The moment the track opens you know you are in for something special. A high-register synthesizer chirps along with an ornate melody, supported by a quiet orchestral synth and a simple drum loop. Soon, it is joined by a pounding low bass, supported by popping congo drums. The percussion here is so immaculate, a review could be written on it alone. It does everything a percussion loop is supposed to do. It is spacious, wide, and dreamy.
Over one minute and twenty seconds into this fantastic production loop when the instrumentation fades to a lower register, while the bass is paused, instead replaced by a central melody sung by lead vocalist Erdinç Ecevit Yıldız. He is the only true singer here, with the other lead vocalist, Merve Daşdemir, only providing an occasional supportive backing vocal. Nonetheless, Yildiz is more than strong enough to maintain the melody in his own right. The traditional folk lyrics of one pining and missing a lost lover, forgiving but not forgetting. This sense of longing and pain is perfectly shown by Yildiz.
This melody is the chorus and is the only vocal melody throughout the entire song. Normally, such an arrangement would not work without severe modulation, something the structure of Ordunun Dereleri refuses to provide. However, this folk melody has likely been developed for years and perhaps centuries, and stands strong. It is also perfectly spaced between the instrumentals to make it always a treat when it arrives, rather than a chore.
As Yildiz continues singing, the plucking synth, and bass return, adding more levels of intricacies to an already impressively deep song. Then, midway through the song already, we hear a new synthesizer, this one much more dreamy, playing right over the previous synth and bass. This delicate instrumentation is the result of a perfect blend of music producers. Altin Gün work with the synth-production team Asa Mato (who also are fantastic). The production here is immaculate, with little water-droplet sounds and a gritty assist bass also providing assistance.
Soon, Yildiz is back to singing the central melody, with assisting instrumentation. This time, all the melodies come together to make something special, in particular, the booming bass stands out. At that moment, the song ends, completing the journey.
Ordunun Dereleri is a song that benefits from repeated listens. Each time you discover a new layer to its depth, concluding the fantastic track. It may not be perfect, but it is close.
Rating: 9.5/10
Image Source: Party Flock
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