JEF 2016
Bungas
Kalimantan contenders gear up for international breakout on their debut EP.
Their nationally shaped pop songs have brought this trio a string of awards, but winning contests such as Indonesian World Music Competition by Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2015 didn’t deter the band from trying to remain left-field while eyeing up global recognition. Influenced by local artists as well as the likes of CHVRCHES, the group operate on the fringe of dangdut and sing in banjarase which can’t dim the bright colors of the five songs on display.
All in a domain of dance, synthesizer waves lull Niluh Wedhani’s voice on the airy “Ayo Ke Banjarmasin” to form an infectious anthem welcoming the listener to the artists’ town and mindset, whereas an orchestral uplift of “Angin Manyaru” reveals a real depth in the trio’s handling of a melody. So, although a couple of pieces feel slightly outdated by Western standards -“Kayuh Baimbai” harking back to the ’70s mirrorball – the spicy percussion under “Indah Bararatik” provides a secret key to its memorability. The world should love these guys.
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