Istanbul-based songwriter and musician Han Eryılmaz, the creative force behind Barista, brings together personal reflection and social awareness in his sixth album, 29 Summers Later. Released on September 3, 2026, the 16-track alternative-rock collection explores the relationship between memory, loss, love and the responsibility to remain engaged with the world.
Co-produced with longtime collaborators Simon Phillips and Jesse Siebenberg, and featuring bassist Ernest Tibbs, the album moves between energetic rock arrangements, intimate love songs and quieter acoustic moments. Its musical range reflects the different emotions at the heart of the project, from grief and frustration to tenderness and hope.
Looking at the World Without Becoming Numb
A central inspiration for 29 Summers Later is the suffering in Gaza and Eryılmaz’s concern about how repeated exposure to tragedy can affect people’s responses. The album considers how disturbing events can become normalised when they are constantly presented through media and entertainment.
Rather than focusing exclusively on anger or despair, Eryılmaz explores the importance of continuing to notice, remember and care. Personal memories and experiences of loss give the album an intimate foundation, while its wider themes connect individual emotions with global events.
Love and playfulness also have an important place in the record. These moments offer a contrast to its more difficult subjects while reinforcing the idea that human connection is worth protecting.
A Sound Built Around Human Performance
The production emphasises live drums, driving bass, analog keyboards and the interaction between musicians. Different singers appear across the album, allowing individual tracks to develop distinct perspectives while contributing to a cohesive body of work.
Eryılmaz has described the album as entirely AI-free. The songs were written, performed, sung and recorded by people, reflecting a production approach centred on musicianship and direct human expression.
Across six albums, Barista has combined melodic alternative rock with personal storytelling and social commentary. Previous releases include the five-volume Open Sesame project, Justice Now and Goodbye Heaven.
With 29 Summers Later, Eryılmaz continues to explore how music can respond to difficult realities without losing sight of affection, memory and possibility. The album invites listeners to bring their own experiences to its songs, turning a personal creative statement into an opportunity for shared reflection.
Listen here.
