04

I rarely ever listen to anything closer to home, in this case, music from Indonesia. However, accidental discoveries can sometimes lead you to explore something new, beyond your comfort zone. Know what I mean? Well, if you ever need a change to your playlist, you can try listening to Indonesian songs – even if it’s not in a tongue you’re familiar with or fluent in. After all, music is universal. You can always enjoy the melody and beat ????

I usually like jazz when it’s an instrumental music piece. For instance, I remember my former piano teacher picking a piece for me to be played for graded exams. So when the song came on the television the other day (only through pay TV), I didn’t think that I would like it. In fact, it was the music video, shot with the help of Indonesian photographer Davy Linggar, which drew me in instantly. Even if you’ve been to Amsterdam repeatedly, don’t be surprised if the music video becomes the motivating factor for you to book your next flight to the European city (and maybe even other cities within the continent). Needless to say, the song is now stuck in my head.

I like the music video’s concept, which you might appreciate even more if you’re used to streaming music from various music streaming services. It’s no wonder this Bandung lass shot to fame once the music video was launched. “Menua Bersama” can be translated to mean growing old together.

The piano sound at the beginning was what made me want to listen to the entire song. But then, I didn’t like the introduction (I still don’t). However, by the end of the song, I was completely hooked. If you can bear to watch the music video, please take your time to do so. Due to Isyana’s father’s profession, she got to travel the world over, especially in her younger days. In Singapore, where she once studied, she spent her time as an opera singer. Besides Isyana herself, Australian singer-songwriter Hayley Aitken and Swedish music producer Ollipop were also involved in composing the song. Both Aitken and Ollipop have written songs for popular South Korean girl groups.  Oh, by the way, you can watch Isyana’s duet with a male singer for their version of Aladdin’s ‘A Whole New World’, released in line with the 2019 remake of the 1992 original animated film.