There is a loud liberation to Gentilesky’s sense of expression. The Sardinian four-piece – one from Istanbul, the rest from, yup, Sardinia – combines maximised feelings of anger and relief with an uncompromised musical flexibility on its second album.
The basis of Dream is energetic post-punk that takes from the nuanced guitar work of Gang of Four, and leanness (occasionally) of Minutemen. I’ll gladly – very gladly, check out my beaming smile – liken it to Fugazi; super rhythmic with the most exciting basslines you’ve heard in a minute, abrasive by design but becoming, and wondrously ethical. Think if Fugazi was female-fronted, a little less sleek, and sweeter on melody – the natural harmonics, into strange basslines, of Why will clue you.
You got yer crooked basslines that rupture into rawer punk energies mixed with Death From Above, featuring on Chasing the Light and 1000 Kez.
Still, the band’s ability to keep up with its influences or soundalikes is secondary to the sheer amount of feeling it regularly conveys. I take a euphoric high from singer Yaprak Kırdök bellowing the words “in a distant dreamland”, full-heartedly, as if doing so will transport her to that Dreamland in an instant. Insistent guitars create a buzz around these words.
Even more startling are Yaprak’s crazed yelps, introduced on Morning Regret amid a stockpiling of guts on the chorus; swelling with uptakes of distortion, simplified bass notes, quick snare fills and cymbal crashes that sound more like stomps. The crazed yelps continue, animatedly, into Back in the Days.
In the band’s own words they’re soundtracking the end of the world with noise and tension. They’re also doing so with a sense of fun interlaced. A dangerous, danceable, funk-esque grooviness embellishes into One Way Out’s dismissal of lust – “while everybody’s addicted to you, I’m not addicted to you” – whilst Money Making takes on capitalism with maxed rock n roll and simple taglines that may or may not be a nod to Beastie Boys’ Super Disco Breakin’.
With a kooky nursery rhyme bridge, weirdly fluttering vocalisations, and detached guitar riffing, Heavenly Body’s B-52s comparisons bring it all back to the band’s combination of musical heroism and expression.
And that’s fine – well, it’s more than fine; Dream is a pretty darn great album – as any fun new distinction is always going to be in cahoots with some form of idealisation or fandom. Gentilesky use theirs for good, for expression, for one of 2026’s essential rock albums.
Best tracks – One Way Out – Morning Regret.
Rating – 8 out of 10
