plein de vie. – Koltuk Değneklerinden Kanatlar Yapmak

Over the last few years, the DIY emo/screamo scene has been resurfacing in Türkiye, thanks in part to acts like pembe, Jornada Del Muerto, hiçamahiç, Ria, .22LR, and tolose—and with the continued support of Mevzu Records in keeping the punk scene alive. While İstanbul often takes center stage, Ankara’s contributions shouldn’t be overlooked, especially with labels like Pirkaf Records and bands like plein de vie., a melancholic screamo/post-hardcore trio (formerly a quartet) that appeared in 2022.

The band released their debut album Koltuk De​ğ​neklerinden Kanatlar Yapmak (Making Wings From Crutches), a five-track effort running just over 21 minutes. The record brims with raw lyrical imagery, touching on themes of alienation, freedom, burden, loss, futility, and resilience.

The record opens with its title track, where plein de vie. plunges into a passionate screamo outburst reminiscent of French acts like Daïtro and Amanda Woodward. Clocking in at just two minutes, it wastes no time pulling you into an emotionally charged world. Lyrics such as “The pieces you left / The scars you caused / Stuck in your steps like shards of glass” set the tone for a record steeped in catharsis and lamentation.

“Ait Değilsin” (You Don’t Belong) continues the journey with melodic anguish and blast beats, grappling with alienation and personal identity. It deftly balances loud/quiet dynamics, building to a defiant crescendo that highlights the band’s ability to shift seamlessly between vulnerability and aggression.

“Kaçmaya Alıştıkça” (As You Get Used to Running Away) follows this trajectory, introducing layered vocals and an even darker emotional palette. Despite its complexity, the band manages the interplay of instruments with finesse, letting the vocals guide the introspective journey.

“Bizden Çaldılar” (They Stole From Us) begins quietly with lone chords, then escalates as it critiques systemic injustices. Lyrics like “They stole from us / the conscience and the mercy / they stole from us / the hope of returning home” cut deep, calling for reflection and resistance. Its progression mirrors the message: subdued sorrow builds into a searing, defiant climax.

The album concludes with the epic nine-minute “Ufuktaki Özgürlük Belki de Bizi Asla Mutlu Etmeyecek” (Freedom on the Horizon May Never Make Us Happy), solidifying the record’s haunting beauty. Opening with expansive, post-rock instrumentals, it lingers on somber melodies reminiscent of The Angelic Process, Le Pré Où Je Suis Mort, or Devil Sold His Soul. A brief interlude of clean vocals by Mutlu Oral (of Mevzu Records) provides a moment of introspection before the track builds into a devastating wall of sound, both cathartic and overwhelming. It’s a fitting end to an album that demands an emotional response from all listeners.