Yas Akdag – “Home, Anywhere”

Yas Akdag’s debut EP “Home, Anywhere” will make you hum and sing. It’s five tracks, all intentional, all grounded in real-life moments that don’t feel overdramatized. Written during her final year at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute and right after graduation, the EP sounds like someone sorting through change without overexplaining it.

There’s a lived-in quality to the songs. From the stripped honesty of “Without You” to the pointed reflections in “White Picket Fence.” “Holy Devil” might be the boldest track here, leaning into sharp contrasts without losing its grip. “Joan” stands out too, quietly intense in a way that makes you want to replay it just to catch everything. And “The Way You Love Him” closes the record on a note that’s not exactly resolution, but something close enough.

The sound walks the line between organic and modern, the live instrumentation is front and center, but there’s still that touch of polish thanks to collaborators like Bobby Wooten and Caroline Meade. It’s clear everyone involved showed up to serve the songs, not just layer them with effects.

If you’re not already following Yas Akdag, now’s the time, follow the rising artist on social media to stay tuned for what she’s dropping next in 2025.