Harlem-based TANSU, of Turkish-Irish descent, has recently released her highly anticipated EP, “The City,” showcasing her exceptional vocal prowess and diverse musical influences. TANSU’s deep-rooted connection to soul music and her admiration for iconic artists like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and the Spice Girls have played a pivotal role in shaping her musical journey and artistic identity.
Raised in New Jersey, London, and Connecticut, TANSU’s formative years were marked by a profound love for soul music, with Whitney Houston’s timeless hits serving as the soundtrack to her childhood. Inspired by the charisma and vocal prowess of her musical idols, TANSU delved into performance arts during high school, honing her skills as a vocalist and songwriter. Her pursuit of musical training led her to Berklee College of Music, where she explored pop music and honed her versatile technique, setting the stage for an artistry defined by effortless genre bending and a keen musical ear.
Following her college years, TANSU ventured into the world of fashion but eventually realized that her true passion lay in music. The passing of her prime inspiration, Whitney Houston, served as a poignant wake-up call, prompting TANSU to wholeheartedly pursue her musical aspirations. Her debut EP, “The City,” is a testament to her unwavering dedication and remarkable talent, encompassing indie-soul, sparkling pop, and hypnotic trap elements.
Working with Dave, who she had met at Berklee, in a handful of different apartments and recording studios, The City slowly took shape. Even when she found herself hamstrung or unmotivated, or when life got in the way, Dave was relentless in pushing her to finish this body of work; their collaboration is one of perfect symbiosis, his sharp musical knowledge a perfect match for her acrobatic voice.
The sultry neo-soul epic “Downtown” is a prime example of their creative chemistry. TANSU floats among Dave’s rich, undulating backdrop, the bassline hum slowly building to an ecstatic climax, mirroring TANSU’s bittersweet tale of love, sex, and jealousy, which attempts to interrogate the emotions that fuel nights of recklessness and partying. It makes a sharp contrast to “Easy Love,” The City‘s understated finale, which finds TANSU charting the ups and downs of a long term relationship with grace and clarity. Recalling the rich maturity of classic 2000s R&B, TANSU’s words are accented by Dave’s sumptuous production, the perfect backdrop for TANSU’s conversational vocals.
The City‘s undeniable centrepiece is “Got 2 Me,” a simmering ballad on which TANSU allows her resplendent, powerhouse voice to shine at its fullest potential. An “emotional followup” to “Downtown,” it’s a song about learning to be vulnerable in a relationship, in spite of your best instincts. Smoky and tense, it’s a showstopping piece of soul-pop, TANSU’s voice slipping between an ingratiating low register and a clarion belt. A remarkable work of patience and skill, it’s a song that feels effortless, belying the fact that TANSU has been working for this her whole life, and then some.
Then there is the stunning single “Easy Love” which is a cathartic soft goodbye. TANSU confides, “It is a song about letting go of a friend while respecting the life and beauty the relationship once shared. A loving tribute to someone you can no longer be there for, the song helps us all tell our former friends to take it easy, love.” The track entices with soul-drenched vocals, heartfelt melodies and kaleidoscopic synths.
With “Love Alone” TANSU chronicles the deep isolation and pain associated with being in an unfilled relationship. The melancholic and powerfully emotional song showcases TANSU’s soul-drenched vocals over a rich tapestry of cinematic synths.
While “Truth About Us” is an anthem for anyone who is in the process of learning how to love themselves first, especially after realizing their partner is not the one. The track features confident vocals and a soaring chorus, highlighting TANSU’s songwriting prowess.
The result is the remarkable six song collection The City. TANSU confides the songs “are a culmination of all the relationships I formed in New York. It’s an EP about girlfriends, boyfriends, old friends, fake friends. There are songs about best friends that break your heart, and there are songs about the most important relationship in life; the one you make with yourself. The way I learned to love myself is a direct reflection of the emotional life I choose to lead here in NYC.”
