Copenhagen-based trio AySay, renowned for their unique fusion of Anatolian folk, Kurdish tradition, and Nordic electronica, have returned with a poignant new single, “Malala.”

Led by vocalist and composer Luna Ersahin, AySay have long been celebrated for their ability to navigate the delicate space between vulnerability and defiance — crafting music that threads together deeply personal narratives with broader social and political struggles. With “Malala,” the band continues this exploration, offering a work that is as moving as it is reflective.

The single draws its inspiration from the extraordinary life of Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani activist who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban. Luna Ersahin explains, “Reading Malala’s story in her own words completely reshaped my understanding of activism. Her courage wasn’t sudden; it was a lifelong commitment to creating change. Malala survived. Her Kurdish sister in Iran, Jina Mahsa Amini, did not. That tension stays with me.”

“Malala” examines themes of activism, survival, and the stark inequities that determine who gets to live and who does not. The title itself holds layers of meaning: in Kurdish, “Mal” translates as home. Through this work, AySay honour both Malala and Jina Mahsa Amini while also evoking a shared home of resilience, memory, grief, and perseverance.

Alongside the release of the single, AySay have announced their third studio album, also entitled Malala, due for release in Spring 2026 via V2 Records. The album promises to continue the band’s exploration of identity, movement, and the emotional landscapes that shape notions of belonging and community.

AySay will also embark on an extensive European and Danish tour, with dates including:

Copenhagen & European shows:

• 09 Jan – Store Vega, Copenhagen, DK

• 20 Mar – Cabaret Sauvage, Paris, FR

• 21 Mar – Villa Anamma, Ghent, NL

• 22 Mar – AB, Bruxelles, BE

• 24 Mar – Knust, Hamburg, DE

• 25 Mar – Club Gretchen, Berlin, DE

Turkey tour: 1–12 April – venues TBC

Denmark tour highlights:

• 17 Apr – Fermanten, Herning

• 18 Apr – Harders, Svendborg

• 22 Apr – Huset, Aalborg

• 23 Apr – Voxhall, Aarhus

• 24 Apr – Gnisten, Ry

• 25 Apr – Platform K, Horsens

• 30 Apr – Dexters, Odense

• 01 May – Kulturhus Gimle, Føllenslev

• 02 May – Svanekegaarden, Bornholm

• 07 May – Tøjhuset, Fredericia

• 08 May – Kedelhuset, Silkeborg

• 14 May – Godset, Kolding

• 15 May – Bygningen, Vejle

• 16 May – Kulturloff, Ebeltoft

• 21 May – Templet, Lyngby

• 22 May – Aksen, Asnæs

• 23 May – Underværket, Randers

With “Malala,” AySay reaffirm their position as one of Europe’s most compelling voices in contemporary music, intertwining artistry with activism in a way that resonates profoundly with listeners worldwide.