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Colorful sounds: Indonesia has everything from bedroom jazz to experimental rap
Indonesia’s music scene continues to grow with various genre mash-ups.
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Old and new: Semiotika, an instrumental-rock trio from Jambi that injects elements of traditional Melayu music alongside modern rock. (Personal collection/Courtesy of Semiotika)
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or those wanting to experience new and exciting entertainment without leaving home, Indonesia has plenty of new intriguing music to offer. From instrumental rock to jazzy hip-hop, sunny retro pop and lo-fi bedroom folk, here are some new singles coming from Indonesia worth checking out.
Semiotika - "Salam" (regards)
“Salam” opens with what sounds like a tambour (a traditional percussion instrument) before its distorted bass and Melayu-inflected vocals join in. It is a strong opening to a semi-instrumental number that takes you on a journey of psychedelic melancholia. Clocking in at slightly over 5 minutes, “Salam” never drags due to its careful composition based around melodies and dynamics. If the rest of their just-released album Eulogi is of this quality, it would be fair to say that the Jambinese trio Semiotika might just have released one of the best albums of 2021.
Duara - "Morning Sun" (feat. Vira Talisa)
“Morning Sun” is an absolute banger. The duo Duara produced a breezy feel-good number with elements of psychedelic, disco and retro pop that is perfect for Sunday afternoon chilling. Featuring young pop singer Vira Talisa, the song’s infectious melodies and groovy bass lines will have you singing “Mister Sun / Sweet sunlight / It’s alright / Shine a light”, briefly forgetting all your problems in the world.
Hursa - "Rumangsa" (feat. Sri Hanuraga)
If you enjoy music that makes you wonder “what am I listening to?” then “Rumangsa” is certainly worth digging into. Collaborating with jazz pianist Sri Hanuraga, the band Hursa takes the listeners through so many twists and turns on this track. There are your pretty standard pop-rock sections, but it is balanced by the song’s proggier moments with sudden changes in time signature. At times, it can sound a bit all over the place, and the production would have benefited from a little beefing up, but the band certainly has chops. Taking musical risks, more often than not, makes for an interesting listen.
White Chorus - "Lose Your Mind"
On “Lose Your Mind”, Bandung’s electronic-pop duo White Chorus sings for those who struggle with their own thoughts late at night, “Closing your eyes / hoping for sunrise” without really diving too deep into the matter. The downbeat and trip-hop feel of the song really highlights the group’s dreamy, unaffected vocals that work as a quick journey into the night’s gloom and doom. Ultimately, it’s the song’s simplicity and excellent production that makes “Lose Your Mind” memorable.
Nearcrush - "The Fountainhead Palace"
From the vocals to the production and the guitar tone, everything about this song screams Bandung circa late 90s/early 00s when dream pop and shoegaze was heavily associated with the city’s underground music scene. It is only fitting that “The Fountainhead Palace” features the ethereal vocals of Alexandra J. Wuisan of Sieve, a notable figure from that scene and era. The band’s debut album Bloodsports and Modern Arts is equally filled with similarly spacey and lush alternative rock.
BAP. - "Painting With Suwage"
After releasing two critically acclaimed albums under two different monikers (BAP. and BAPAK) in completely different styles of music in the past two years, Jakarta’s young talented producer and composer Kareem Soeharjo is not done yet. His new single “Painting With Suwage” is a jazzy hip-hop number where he seamlessly raps in both Indonesian and English, letting everyone know that he’s been working on his craft and he’s still got the hunger. “I made album of the year then I took it off your playlist / I’m the menace of the sun / I’m in my bag like it’s lunch time / Gunning for you one by one.”
Matisuri - "Siapa Yang Membakar Jembatan Kami" (who burned our bridges)
A solo project of musician Muhamad Kusuma Gotansyah, Matisuri embodies the essence of experimental folk bedroom music. Taken from his full-length Mati Suri, “Siapa Yang Membakar Jembatan Kami” starts off with gentle acoustic guitar that is both atmospheric and hypnotizing before transforming into a dark and slow number during its final minute. While the music is certainly on the rawer side of things, it’s still very easy to listen to.
Oslo Ibrahim - "Baby Don’t Let Me Go"
Essentially, “Baby Don’t Let Me Go” is a song about being broken-hearted and the anxiety of not being able to find true love. However, Medan-born singer-songwriter Oslo Ibrahim opts to sing it to a funky, bass-heavy, upbeat tune that makes you wanna dance in your bedroom. The 80’s bright synth sounds are present, adding hints of romanticism from the Japanese city-pop era. Who said a sad song can’t be fun?
Giovanni Rahmadeva - "Come & Go" (feat. Christabel Annora)
If “hopeful pop” is an actual genre, then “Come & Go” might just fall under it. On his solo debut, indie rock band Polka Wars drummer Giovanni Rahmadeva reminisces about the past while wishing for a better future with that special someone. Featuring Malang singer/songwriter Christable Annora, “Come & Go” is a gentle, folk track played entirely on piano, with the emphasis on the vocals and the storytelling nature of the lyrics.
Read also: Sailing through the archipelago with tropical indie-poppers The Dare
