Uprooted

Given Minor Empire's mesmeric sound, it's a shame it's taken so long for a follow-up to their 2011 debut, Second Nature. But in the interim the group's Turkish psychedelia has, if anything, deepened, and vocalist Özgü Özman's ability to balance passion and control has moved to an even more precise point. While many elements of this recording are praiseworthy, there are standouts. For one, the top-flight instrumental work throughout, beautifully mixed by David Travers-Smith and group leader Ozan Boz. Every shimmer of guitar (performed by Boz and the always inventive guitarist Michael Occhipinti), every subtle crunch of electronics and fresh layer of percussion is crystalline. And although words like atmospheric, trancey and dreamy frequently surface in descriptions of Minor Empire, the group also have their rockin’ moments, notably on ‘Güneş Türküsü’ (Sun's Song), ‘Mendilimin Yeşili’ (The Green of My Handkerchief), and ‘Selanik Türküsü’ (Song of Thessaloniki). But even within these it's typically a matter of tension and release, and of a coiled power that builds up only to return to Özman's arrow-to-the-heart vocals.