As the world is celebrating the upcoming Ramadhan, the review of the week shall include some of the latest piece of spiritual elements in Malay Indo music. Spiritual not necessarily on the music as a whole, but it could also be the elements of instruments or the elements of vocals, or the mixture of both. Happy fasting to all Muslims!
1. Aizat: Erti Hari Ini (Malaysia)
Sentimental has always been synonym to Aizat’s touch in music. As always, Aizat does not fail to subtlely adjoin the people’s emotion towards the message that he delivers. Erti Hari Ini tells about the meaning of today’s world. His guitar improvisation is plainly tremendous.
2. Yuna: Greek Goddess (Malaysia)
This song is simply beautiful. It tells about moderation, about being true to yourself. Absolutely a masterpiece by Yuna. Needless to say more.
3. Najwa: Impian Terindah (Malaysia)
Yes, this girl is the one who sang ‘Kau Yang Punya’ with Malique. She has an extraordinary voice, she plays the piano as well. This is a song about dreams. It is co written by Alvin aka Defoo (from the band Infinatez), another talented musician, which might be a bit unknown to all. We will feature more about him in the next review. The lyrics are good. You gotta check them out:
Impian Terindah: Alvin MY & Najwa Mahiaddin
Terjaga dari mimpiku
Bayanganmu seakan di sisiku
Mungkinkah ku masih dalam khayalan
Bisakah jadi kenyataan
Tahukah kau ku di sini
Menyimpan segala rasa di hati
Mungkinkah kau akan mengerti
Andai ku luahkan semuanya
Cho:
Kau impian terindah
Ingin ku jadikan ia nyata
Kau ilhamkan cinta
Di dalam hatiku hanyalah dirimu
Tlah ku katakan semua
Ku serahkan kepadaNya
4. M.Nasir Fet. Malique: Mantera Beradu (Malaysia)
Mantera Beradu is an experimentation of remix between Nusantara and hiphop elements. It is highly poetic and artful. The lyrics are based on the elements of human values that relates closely to the Asian region, where the moral values, customs and religion still play a huge role on each lives, no matter what they believe in. It is liberal in the sense that it caters to all, remind us of our roots, regardless of the human race.
5. Mia Palencia: Sayang (Malaysia)
This Sabah born girl has been on the gospel music since her early age. Later, she discovered jazz and put her heart into it. She is also involved in some broadway performance, which really showcase her talent. Her unpretentious voice is hard to ignore. Sayang is her first ever Malay song. Aptly adorable.
6. Statik: Nikmat Sementara (Malaysia)
Nikmat Sementara tells us about the things in life which won’t last for long. The message is straightforward and clean. Nothing to beat around the bush. Presented in a light-rock manner, this can be considered as a success by an independent youth band. Statik is truly an upcoming band to be seen in the future.
7. Darna Project: Berdzikir (Indonesia)
Edos Manggala, Kohler Kohar and Ryo Mahendra are the geniuses in making up the band called Darna Project. They started on writing music to educate people on the verge of affluence to modernity, which displays the destructions on human values. The single Berdzikir is the latest one which is now aired in Indonesian local radios as well as TVs. It is a heartfelt song that serves to remind us to the Creator of the world.
8. Netral: Atas Nama (Indonesia)
Netral’s latest single has a hard message to the politicians in the world. They voice up about the promises that are promised. They redeem justice and human values for the people. This message is actually merely one anecdote from the series of human rights. But this is what the musicians could do for the people. Entertaining and the message is even empowered by their rock elements . Enjoy..
9. Mawar Hitam: Qishaash (Indonesia)
Link: http://www.musikator.com/qishash/
People link this musician with Sepultura, as they has the same approach of venturing into the ethnic music while mixing it well with rock/metal. This independent band is influenced by the Toraja music. It is uncanny, yet interesting sound that shows the other side of Malay music.
10. Alone At Last: Amarah Senyum dan Airmata (Indonesia)
This emo band has been in the industry since 2002. They are really good, contemporary. Their music behaves unlike any other that is comparable to them. They manage to bring the Malay music moulded into the young generation of the melodic emo punk movement. Nice effort, one to look forward for.