Maraung 🇮🇩 - ‘Smells Like the Sun’ (single from EP ‘Change’)

Regular readers will know, of course, that we discovered Pinegaze last week, a genre of music specifically aimed at Scandinavian musicians who spend their time starting slightly mournfully into a forest. It’s a genre cousin of Shoegaze, which we haven’t featured much so far this year, so we’re delighted to introduce Indonesian band Meraung, who’ve just released EP ‘Change’.

Maraung, of course, means “roar”, with the band helpfully explaining to us that the name was chosen because the fuzz-driven guitars on their debut ‘Merah di Tigua’ felt exactly like they were ‘roaring - raw, loud and full of emotion’. It’s a description that fits perfectly.

That said, it’s their latest EP ‘Change’ that I’ve found myself listening to most. The standout track ‘Smile Like the Sun’ keeps that same wall of fuzz but adds a melodic vocal line that immediately pulled me back to some of my favourite UK 90s indie bands Lush, Curve, Bleach - those of you who were around then will know exactly who I mean.

There’s actually a real confidence here, a sense I feel that they’re very comfortable with their songs and sound. For sure it doesn't feel completely polished, but that adds to the haziness, and it has a tune which don’t quite go in the direction I was expecting. The band also explain on Bandcamp that they’re trying to ‘create a soundscape that feels like walking alone through a foggy afternoon, and that the EP is ‘not about answers, but about space - space to pause, to remember, and to accept whatever remains’.

Anyway I was having a pretty bad day yesterday, and discovering this sent a wave of optimism and happiness washing over me - and that’s how good music should make you feel right?

Social Links: Instagram and Bandcamp.

Release Date: 30th January

The cute artwork is by Nila Novita sari.