The Ballad of Ela Ozturk

We’ve made it halfway through the year, my friends. Song after song has been released, added to playlists, and sent to recycle bins. I’ve heard just about all you could hope to hear through a few hundred hours of music listening. Still, before this week I hadn’t heard anything like the voice of Turkish-American singer Ela Ozturk out of San Francisco.

Now although her official catalog may not be the most extensive with just 5 songs, I get the feeling Ela is going for the “Quality over quantity” approach which is never a bad thing when the art is good. She’s dabbled in Pop and R&B but I think she hits her stride when she’s singing the blues. Fluorescent harmonies, over mournful pianos with a range of emotions programmed into each note and song lyric. It’s well-crafted music that steps outside of conventional prisons.

As of writing this one song in particular hangs on my shoulders. I feel as though Ela gives her best performance on her single Circle Back To Me. Peel back the immaculate serene production and you’ll still have an impressive vocal performance that works hand in hand with Ela’s superb songwriting. And when you're done wondering if it's right, can you circle back to me? Ela expresses in a meaningful emotion-filled chorus. In my opinion, this song is where Ela Ozturk finds her highest peak and I don’t feel like it's a one-off.

Circle Back To Me is available on all of the important DSPs and I suggest you start there and continue through the rest of her discography. I highly doubt you'll be disappointed. As for me, I’m off to dig through the Apple Music crates and find even more fire for your playlist. Thank me later and stream Circle Back To Me by Ela Ozturk below.