PEMBE combines screamo and experimental rap in new single

The latest offering from the Istanbul-based band pembe and the experimental rapper Rinxlaya is a bold collaboration that blurs the lines between screamo and rap. Titled “I Wish I Could Break Away from My Roots When I Look Back,” the single feels deeply personal and unapologetically raw, hitting listeners with its intense emotions and unconventional sound.

Released through Mevzu Records, the track is a powerful mix of DIY hardcore and twisted trap elements, creating a sound that is both aggressive and haunting. Rather than following a traditional song structure, it feels more like a raw outpouring of emotions captured on tape, filled with abrupt shifts and unresolved tension that keep the listener on edge.

Featuring vocals from both pembe and Rinxlaya, the track showcases the raw talent and artistic vision of the two artists. Rinxlaya’s delivery is enigmatic, moving between spoken word, screams, and electronic distortion, while pembe’s chaotic crescendos add to the overall intensity of the song. It’s a clash of genres that feels like a battle fought with blood, sweat, and tears.

The lyrics, sung in Turkish, convey a powerful message of longing and escape, with the translated title emphasizing a desire to break free from the pain of the past. The track does not offer easy answers or closure; instead, it embraces the turmoil and chaos of life’s struggles, offering a visceral and unfiltered look at the human experience.

Rooted in the underground music scene of Istanbul, pembe draws inspiration from personal and collective grief, channeling their emotions into explosive bursts of sound. Describing their music as a blend of depressive realism and hopeful optimism, the band brings a unique perspective to their music that resonates with listeners on a deep level.

Rinxlaya, known for his work with the M4NM collective and previous releases like Denek00, brings his own distinct style to the collaboration. His lyrics are fragmented and unsettling, reflecting a sense of unease and social critique that adds an extra layer of depth to the track. His performance in the song serves as a warning, urging listeners to pay attention to the underlying themes and emotions at play.

The music video for the track, directed by Eren Karatepe, offers a visual representation of the song’s chaotic energy. Filled with claustrophobic interiors, blurred images, and controlled decay, the video captures the essence of the music in a sensory experience. The performers, pushed and pulled by invisible forces, embody a sense of disorientation and survival in the face of uncertainty.

Filmed at SBCS, a space that seems to fold in on itself as the performers move through it, the video is a testament to the power of movement and emotion. With stunning visuals, art direction, and costume design, the video captures the essence of the track’s emotional complexity, offering a visual journey that is as captivating as the music itself.