Meral Polat – ‘Meydan’ album review: Anatolian psych-rock empowerment
Although it was hippie havens like San Francisco which took most of the limelight when it came to the emergence of psychedelic rock in the 1960s, the true home of those mind-expanding sounds lay thousands of miles away, in the Anatolian peninsula.
Going right to the late 1950s, while the Western world was busy being outraged by Elvis Presley’s hips, the airwaves of Turkey and its surrounding area were awash with the inventive, ethereal sounds of Anatolian psychedelic rock. Blending the age-old folk traditions of the area with the emerging sounds of electric rock and roll, it was a match made in heaven, and pioneering artists like Barış Manço wasted no time in taking advantage. In fact, Anatolian rock still sounds like the future of rock to this very day, thanks to the tireless efforts of artists like Meral Polat.
Since her initial emergence with 2022’s Ez Kî Me, Polat has been one of the leading voices in modern Anatolian psych-rock, and her latest record, Meydan, only extends that lead. An infectiously rhythmic, impassioned, and compelling album, the songwriter uses the rich history of Anatolian rock as a basis for her modern, often eclectic sound in full force on the record.
Moving expertly from moments of high-energy psych-rock on tracks like the album opener, ‘Meydana Gel’ to more melodic, vulnerable efforts like ‘Çiya icaro’, the album is awash with different sounds, but is always driven in its message. The sense of unapologetic defiance in the face of authority and oppression is a key theme that runs throughout the tracklisting, helping make Meydan one of the most impassioned, important albums of the year thus far.
Take the single ‘Ćenek’, for instance, which is a beautifully defiant mix of modern influences, Anatolian rock roots, and an empowering message of female liberation, landing as a standout track.
When looking at the world of Anatolian psych-rock, it is easy to focus on the retro sounds of artists like Barış Manço, but Polat run with the sound firmly into the 21st century. Meydan is, without a doubt, an essential release to keeping those enduring sounds alive for a new generation of listeners.
Defining track: ‘Ćenek’
For fans of: Growing your hair out and rejecting material possessions, except for your extensive collection of original Frank Zappa LPs.
A concluding comment from Ben’s girlfriend: “This album sounds as though it was created for the soundtrack of an old Italian horror film about a woman who becomes a witch. I can give no higher praise than that.”
Release date: September 19th, 2025 | Producer: Chris Doyle and Meral Polat | Label: WERF Records
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