She may be making her first appearance on NuNorthern Soul, but Zeynep Erbay is no newcomer. A classically trained pianist who took a turn towards the dancefloor while at university, the Turkish DJ/producer earned her first release on Compost Records way back in 2007 after taking part in the 2006 edition of the Red Bull Music Academy programme. Since then, her career has been on an upwards trajectory, with releases on Fools Gold and Soul Clap Records confirming Erbay as a genuine rising star of underground electronic music.

On the Healer EP, the Istanbul-based producer showcases the more atmospheric, sun-kissed end of her productions, taking a turn away from synth-powered, disco-leaning club tracks towards something more suitable for al-fresco events, sun-down sets, and sofa-bound listening sessions.

Inspired by a poem inscribed on the back cover of the EP, Erbay’s two original instrumental tracks simply ooze with emotion. The poem tells the story of a whale searching for her family while helping others along the way, which acts as a metaphor for our wider search for belonging and acceptance.

This aural narrative first comes to the fore in EP opener ‘Heart of a Healer’, a slowly unfurling stunner in which emotion-rich chords, gentle electronic melodies and Erbay’s poignant and picturesque piano motifs – reminiscent of the classic works of 2000s downtempo duo dZihan and Kamien – gently rise above a chunky dub disco bassline and mid-tempo, triple-time drums.

The story unfolds further on the effortlessly emotional ‘Healer Whale’, where Erbay’s impeccable piano playing ushers in languid, jazz-flecked drums, dubby bass, sumptuous synth-strings and colourful, slow-moving chords. It’s an impeccable, life-affirming composition that’s as beautiful and memorable as they come.

The accompanying remix package is strong, too. NYC-based Italian Danilo Braca, who also mastered the release, provides a fine club-focused fix of ‘Heart of a Healer’, adding Erbay’s brilliant chords and piano riffs to a bed of crunchy machine drums, undulating TB-303 acid lines, punchy electronic bass and bubbly synth sounds. 

NuNorthern Soul regular Marshall Watson handles ‘Healer Whale’, first delivering a fine ‘Remix’ version that effortlessly blurs the boundary between dub disco and Balearic nu-disco, before serving up a shorter, ambient ‘Reprise’ version full of gorgeous chords, warming bass, cascading electronic melodies, effects-laden piano, and atmospheric field recordings.

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Zeynep Erbay - Healer [NUNS058] SAMPLER

Healer Whale [Marshall Watson Reprise] SAMPLER

Healer Whale [Marshall Watson Remix] SAMPLER

Healer Whale [Original] SAMPLER

Heart Of A Healer [Danilo Braca Remix] SAMPLER

Heart Of A Healer [Original] SAMPLER

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Zeynep Erbay - Healer [NUNS058] SAMPLER

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