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Colorful sounds: New Indonesian music, from improvised gamelan to punk rock
Whether it’s a major-label backed modern R&B track or a modern take on traditional Javanese music, Indonesia hasn’t run out of fresh talent.
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Ardhito Pramono (left), Isyana Sarasvati (right) and Diskoria pay tribute to the iconic pop group Naif with “Yth: Naif” (Dear Naif). (Personal archive/Courtesy of Diskoria)
W
hether it’s major-label backed modern R&B track or a modern take on traditional Javanese music, Indonesia hasn’t run out of fresh talent.
There’s nothing like finding new music that resonates. From a traditional improvised gamelan piece, to 80’s influenced disco-pop and energetic, guitar-tapping hardcore punk, here are some new Indonesian tunes to enjoy.
Sandikala Ensemble – ‘Herutjokro as Posthuman’
Teaming up with the Sandikala Ensemble on gamelan, young Yogyakarta composer Dion Nataraja presents a unique intersection of traditional Javanese music and improvisation. In the instrumental piece “Herutjokro as Posthuman”, the gendèrs and suling (flute) are played in alternate tunings with particular attention to dynamics and space, giving the piece a mysterious, eerie vibe that makes it a perfect fit for a mystical Javanese horror film score. Perfect for those in the mood for a cultural-hybrid experimental sound.
Crève, Ouverte! – ‘Burgundy’
With the debut single “Burgundy”, Balikpapan trio Crève, Ouverte! (French for “die, open”) delivers a high-energy, guitar-tapping, hardcore-punk-influenced track. Featuring Wendra from Samarinda-based math rock band, Murphy Radio, Crève, Ouverte! doesn’t shy away from mixing all sorts of different styles and moods in a three-and-a-half-minute track, creating a juxtaposition between the group’s upbeat music and its rather bleak lyrics: “Nightmares on a day time / drying my eyes, I cannot open / seeing a shade of burgundy / under the bright lights, fatigue frequently.” (sic)
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