Seasons Jakarta is the latest compilation from Jakarta's rap and lo-fi scene. Featuring 13 tracks, the album features music from Flo Filz, Le Maestro, K, Like, Ta-Ku & Matt McWaters, Melodiesinfonie, Nanna B and Freddie Joachim. The compilation's eclectic style ranges from RnB and lo-fi hip hop to rap and a little bit of everything in between.
Essentially, Seasons Jakarta is a beautiful compilation of songs from Indonesia's most popular hip-hop labels. Some of the artists on the album include Flo Filz, Otis Junior, K Le Maestro, and Le Maestro. You can listen to music from other hip-hop labels that are available through Jakarta Records. You can listen to some of their songs on a free sampler album that was released by the top label; the songs are available on all streaming platforms.
The music featured on this album reflects the vibrant creative culture of Jakarta and its people. The MC, who resigned from his position as the party MC in 2012, took the music industry by storm when he started deejaying at Indonesia's major clubs and events. The MC earned several awards, including HardRock FM's Paranoia Icon and Rookie of the Year. Now, the DJ has reclaimed his spot behind the decks, dropping a diverse selection of music genres that dictate the vibe through his mic.
A few decades ago, Shark Move from Jakarta's Record-Breaking Music album was released. Shark Move's production was discontinued after several thousand copies were sold. However, the band reunited, and Benny promised to recreate some of the band's most important musical releases. Those releases included Giant on the Move, the band's biggest hit. However, the band enjoyed little success with the previous production's relaunch.
The band members began their career as a typical garage rock outfit named The Peels. Their music later gained modest success in Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. Subsequently, Benny Soebardja created Shark Move with friends who studied at the Bandung Technical Institute. Despite the limited commercial success, Shark Move managed to achieve something: It established itself as a prominent progressive rock band in Indonesia. Ultimately, the group's unique sound may have inspired other local and international artists to adopt this fascinating musical style.
Giant Step: As noted, the debut album Shark Move by Giant Step, the legendary Indonesian band, was a rousing regional success. Indeed, many fans admit the ambitious amateurs behind it have come up with a memorable album. Like the Italian classics of the early 70s, the album is a combination of wild instrumentation and ambitious songwriting. However, it lacks the polished production that makes it a commercial success. Despite that, it is still worthwhile to listen to anyone who enjoys progressive rock music.
This first album by Giant Step, titled "Mark I," was described as a mixed bag of influences, ranging from classic hard rock to folk-inspired rock and some Indonesian wedding music. It was an enlightening experience for fans, and the band has since released seven studio albums. Giant Step has become an incomparable commercial force in the country, reaching an admirable level of mainstream popularity comparable to the successes of the late 70s and early '80s.
Hardy's House: In 2022, Hardy's House became the fastest-selling music album in the UK. It debuted at number one-top of the charts- on the US Billboard 200, where it sold 521,500 album-equivalent units in its first week. Similarly, the album has debuted at number one in several countries. The producers included Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson, and Samuel Witte. Unsurprisingly, the album received positive reviews from critics worldwide.
Amine's Limbo: Amine's new album, Limbo, certainly breaks records for both genres. The album starts with the song "Burden," which explores personal matters Amine might not have discussed before. The record contains references to things like Winona Ryder's shopping spree, the Miss Universe gaffe, and the Arthur meme. Such moments add a layer of complexity to the album, providing an interesting and challenging listen.
Amine's shift to a more carefree style of music was inspired by the death of NBA icon Kobe Bryant. The late superstar was a benchmark for many people in Indonesia, and Amine saw his death as an unofficial beginning of his own real manhood. Limbo is an interesting departure from Amine's previous releases in which he tended to cater to the desires of his fans rather than himself. Only the track "Shimmy" sounds similar to Amine's previous releases.