Pop culture, Music
10 Indonesian Musicians You Should Listen to Today.
In celebration of Indonesia’s Independence Day, I wrote this article as an attempt to introduce and promote locally underrated and internationally known Indonesian musicians that I love listening to. May this be a treat for those who are browsing for new music to listen to.
1. NIKI
Niki started doing covers and her originals on YouTube and was later signed by 88rising. She launched her first EP: Zephyr (2018). The following year she released her second EP: wanna take this downtown? (2019), her first album Moonchild (2020), and recently she released her second album, Nicole (2022). Some of her earlier songs would sound very R&B but she’s been crossing genres and experimenting with other genres throughout her musical journey.
With her soft voice and catchy melodies, Niki delivers candor & nostalgic tunes to your ears. When it comes to songwriting, she is the ‘wizard with words’. Her songwriting skill will definitely tickle your brain and comfort your melancholic heart. Her lyrics are beautifully written and very emotionally evoking. Her music explores themes such as love, heartbreak, homesick feeling, and many more.
Listen if you like: H.E.R, Jorja Smith, or Sinéad Harnett.
2. Inis
Inis is a Makassar-born musician who started her solo career in 2018. In the following year, she released her first ever EP: Mood Hacks on the same day as World Bipolar Day. In 2020, she released another EP of 6 tracks, called 2020, and two years later she released her most recent EP: TOPSYTURVYDOM.
Inis’ husky voice is a pleasant complement to her lavish music arrangement. If we look from a lyrical aspect, Inis can capture authentic ideas and delicate emotions which are reflected in her direct style of songwriting. From light groovy rhythm to a harmoniously rich & powerful instrumental; you can sing or reflect, dance, or dream with Inis whenever you want.
Listen if you like: Bee Gees, Tom Misch, Laufey, or Gloria Tells.
3. Reality Club
This indie rock band consists of 5 creative people initially formed in Jakarta back in 2016 after Mayo (Bass, former member) ask Fathia Izzati (Lead Vocal) and Era Pratigo (Drum) to make music together. Fathia then asked his brother Faiz Novascotia Saripudin (Vocal/Guitar) and her friend Iqbal Anggakusumah (Guitar) to join them; but six months later after Mayo’s leave, they asked Nugi to be their new Bassist. Ever since then, they have released two studio albums: Never Get Better (2017) and What Do You Really Know (2019).
Reality Club is not an average indie rock band, they are the perfect amalgamation of smooth & mature musical arrangements with deep & eloquent songwriting. Their songs are mostly inspired by real or fictitious romantic events in their life. Since their first album, Reality Club keep exploring and experimenting with new styles in music, and in 2019 they soared their wings through Asia, going from playing locally to playing in Tokyo and Singapore.
Listen if you like: Paramore, Arctic Monkeys, or Beach Fossils.
4. Coldiac
Coldiac is a band formed in Malang, East Java in 2015. Together, Sambadha Wahyadyatmika (Vocal/Guitar), Mahatamtama Arya Adinegara (Vocal/Guitar), Derry Rith Haudin (Keys & Synths/Backing Vocals), and Bhima Bagaskara (Bass) have released two studio albums under their own label called Heartbreaker (2016) and O (2018). But in 2019, they signed to a new label and released their EP: No Make Up (2020).
Coldiac’s musical style doesn’t really fall into one specific genre. Throughout their music, you don’t just hear pure pop but a tint of R&B/soul, a little bit of alternative rock, and definitely a shade of synth and disco. Their songwriting themes lean heavily towards romance; sandwich nicely between layers of catchy hooks, the tight dynamic between bass rhythm & drum, and occasionally, Sambadha’s high-pitched vocal.
Listen if you like: The 1975, COIN, or Summer Salt.
5. Teddy Adhitya
Teddy began his musical journey way back in the mid-2000s but in 2016 he released his debut single, In Your Wonderland which officially launched his solo career. The following year he released his first album, Nothing Is Real and in 2019, he released his second album Question Mark ((?)).
His soft powerful voice, beautiful storytelling, and flawless musical arrangement will instantly make your heart and soul feels grateful. His music is a marriage between Pop and R&B/Soul. His lyric incorporates themes such as self-reflection and romance.
Listen if you like: Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), Ryan O’Neal (Sleeping At Last), Frank Ocean, Daniel Caesar, or RINI.
6. Rendy Pandugo
The Medan-born singer-songwriter started his musical career in 2012. Rendy Pandugo started out as one of those artists who post their music on SoundCloud. In 2017, he finally released his first album, The Journey which includes one of his hit songs, I Don’t Care which was released a year before the album came out. In 2020, he released 2 EPs, CHAPTER ONE and CHAPTER TWO then in 2021, he released his third EP: SEE YOU SOMEDAY.
Rendy has a very soft yet powerful rock voice that complements his remarkable guitar playing. Even though he co-writes some of his songs with other people, his lyrics are heart-wrenchingly deep and beautifully written. I have no idea why but Rendy’s songs are perfect for listening to if you want to feel all the feelings ESPECIALLY, on a gloomy rainy day.
Listen if you like: John Mayer, Harry Styles, Bruno Major, or Jack Johnson.
7. Rahmania Astrini
In 2018, Astri released her first ever self-written English song, It’s Amazing which snowballed into her first EP: Adolescent (2021) and some other singles. As a young artist, Astri’s music will definitely blow your expectations. She still has a long way to go but she already made a very good start in the music industry. In 2021, she won the AMI Awards for ‘Best Soul/R&B Female Solo Artist’ for the song Runaway which she wrote by herself.
Her musical style leans very R&B/soul but I don’t see why she won’t experiment with other instrumental styles and cross genres in the near future. Through her originals, we can definitely see that she has the potential to win hearts (and ears) because of the pleasant delivery evident in the soulful chorus, delicate riffs, and her silky-smooth voice.
Listen if you like: Sabrina Claudio, Raveena, H.E.R, or UMI.
8. Noni
Noni started writing her own song when she was 12 and initially started making music and doing covers on Soundcloud. In 2018, she made her first step into Spotify by collaborating on a song called Lingers. In the following years, she launches many more singles and finally released her first EP: Boyish (2020).
Noni’s R&B music is very soothing to listen to as your soul feels tended by her soft laid back voice and smooth belt. Her songwriting leans more minimalistic with a direct and straightforward format that is apparent through the catchy and groovy choruses and repetitive patterns in her composition. Her songs are mostly inspired by personal experience and focused on romantic themes.
Listen if you like: Corrine Bailey Rae, Jereena Montemayor, or Linying.
9. Elephant Kind
As stated in their Spotify bio, Elephant Kind is a ‘genre-bending trio’ consisting of Bam Mastro (Vocal/Guitar), Bayu Adisapoetra (Drum), and Kevin Septanto (Bass). What started as a thesis project initiated by Bam back in 2013, turned into an official band with an EP: Scenarios: A Short Film by Elephant Kind (2014). A year later, they released their second EP: PROMENADES: A Short Film by Elephant Kind (2015), and the following year they released a studio album, City J (2016). By 2019, they released another album, The Greatest Ever.
Elephant Kind’s songwriting themes mostly focused on romantic experiences, emotional conflict, or personal life events that sometimes include religious terminology. In their recent album, they explored the erotic side of romance slammed with layering emotions like sadness or hope. Their musical style ranges from alternative rock, pop, and even disco to electro-funk. Their genre-bending prowess becomes a definitive factor that enriches their music.
Listen if you like: Coldplay, Bon Iver, Maroon 5, or Kodaline.
10. Tarrarin
This gem of an artist started her musical journey with friends from her former band, Svmmerdose back in 2017 while simultaneously working on her own singles. In 2020, she launched a collaborative single, Emotions. Even after the band split up, Tarrarin continues making music as an independent soloist and currently has launched 5 singles.
In terms of musical arrangement, she is a musical prodigy. Her music is an explosion of genres. Tarrarin’s genre-blurred style is very apparent in all of her songs. One of her singles, Glock 17 reminds me so much of Sammy Rae & The Friends; most likely because of her low husky voice freestyling over the bossa nova rhythm (especially throughout the bridge) and the superimposing accordion sound which spices up the song. There’s absolutely no question about her songwriting skill either. She maybe doesn’t have hundreds of songs to account for, but she already wrote songs that promote self-love, encapsulating the feeling of someone suffering from an anxiety disorder, or seeing a child from a parent’s point of view. The various styles of instruments that she includes in all her music and also her wit and unrestricted songwriting style are clear evidence of her powerful artistic visions.
Listen if you like: Madison Ryann Ward, Jorja Smith, or Olivia Dean.
Happy listening, thank you for reading!
