Deniz Cuylan's third solo album of elegant modern classical, globally informed folk and gentle electronic music is in part a tribute to his dearly departed dog. Luca came into Cuylan's life like a key unlocking a door, leading to experiences and experiments simultaneously new and familiar. Back then the Turkish-born musician was living in LA with his wife, leading a busy creative life, writing and recording scores for films and Netflix series, and suddenly with the adoption of Luca here's this bouncy, furry being demanding constant attention. Cuylan accepted the responsibility like a father welcoming a child. He grew closer to his wife. He started psychoanalysis. He returned to acoustic guitar, his original instrument, waylaid for 20 years in favor of synthesizers and electronics, pulsing post-rock and skittering jazz. Luca was there in the studio when Cuylan recorded his first solo album, 2021's 'No Such Thing As Free Will,' which The Guardian said "seems to invent new languages for the guitar."Without a doubt, Luca the dog made Deniz the musician more expressive and more vulnerable. Better at his craft. Better at his humanity.Luca was just five years old when bone cancer struck. He exited far too quickly, a comet of joy passing into the dark, unfathomable universe. Cuylan found his absence very hard to process--he was just right here! It took a couple years, but inevitably Luca, the catalyst for Cuylan's current chapter, inspired new artistry after his death--from Cuylan, and from a host of collaborators from around the world who contributed to For Luca. All of them share an abiding compassion for the more-than-human creatures with whom we share this planet--dogs, cats, whales, ants, trees. The entire menagerie, humankind's kindred. The album is a collective meditation on--and celebration of--their immeasurable essence. It was born not from despair but from a transcendent love that burns all the brighter for its brevity.
credits
releases September 18, 2026Produced by Deniz CuylanCo-Produced by Cem MisirliogluMixed by Seth ManchesterMastered by Heba KadryAssisted by Jacob ClementsCover Artwork and Animations by Gaia AlariVinyl Cover Design by Aylin GüngörCONTRIBUTORS and MUSICIANS1. No Such ThingFelbm: Flute, VibraphoneGreg Chudzik: Double BassCem Misirlioglu: PianoDeniz Cuylan: Hordijk2. LelanaPeni Candra Rini: VocalsThor Harris: Vibraphone, Black BoxDeniz Cuylan: Guitars, Electronics3. For ShirasuMakoto Kubota: Spoken WordBerke Can Özcan: Drums, PercussionDeniz Cuylan: Guitars, Electronics4. Big BlueSarah La Puerta: VocalsGreg Chudzik: Double BassCem Misirlioglu: ElectronicsSix Missing: Electronics, PianoDeniz Cuylan: Hordijk5. BluffsDeniz Cuylan: Guitars, Piano, HordijkCem Misirlioglu: Drums, PercussionGabby Fluke-Mogul: ViolinVioleta Garcia: CelloChloe Rowlands: TrumpetMark Broschinsky: Trombone6. Ali AliPeni Candra Rini: VocalsGreg Chudzik: Double BassDeniz Cuylan: Guitars, Piano, Clarinets, Electronics7. ViggoCasper Clausen: VocalsGreg Chudzik: Double BassDeniz Cuylan: Electronics, Piano, Clarinets8. Asleep In The SunSarah La Puerta: VocalsCem Misirlioglu: Drums, ElectronicsDeniz Cuylan: Guitars, Piano, Hordijk
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