Öptüm

Sezen Aksu is routinely hailed as the ‘Queen of Turkish Pop’. But it's a tag that grossly underplays her talent and quietly confident charisma. This is her 24th album, and she is involved in every area of production: the songs, recordings, performances and, not least, her famously changing image. The ten songs on Optüm weave between traditional Turkish and Western instruments: the strident klarnet (clarinet) on ‘Ah Felek’ is rousing and upbeat, while ‘Arkasas’ features a swaying Egyptian string section; elsewhere there are throbbing frame drums, acoustic guitars and rock instruments.

The album's title (meaning ‘Kisses’) sends a message to her fans in Turkey and the diaspora, and her unique, versatile contralto voice shifts effortlessly across every song regardless of changing moods and themes. Her lyrics are written by some of Turkey's most significant poets, among them Yildirim Turker, a favourite collaborator of hers. Only the titles of the songs are translated – ‘Honey’, ‘Wow’, ‘Friends’ and ‘Love’ – and leave you wondering at the sense, but not caring overmuch, because her voice carries all the meaning you need. This is Sezen Aksu's most mature album; her voice shines and she's banished the digital echo effects which once bedevilled her music. Now we can feel the gorgeous textures of a voice that fully justifies the ‘Diva’ tag she was prematurely labelled with for years.