Raja Kirik – Phantasmagoria of Jathilan

· by Laurent Bellemare

If it’s not intuitive to imagine a mix of high-strung EDM, new instrumental sounds and traditional Southeast Asian influences, Indonesian duo Raja Kirik skilfully explores the issue on their latest opus Phantasmagoria of Jathilan. The Javanese experimental music scene is brimming with unsuspected talent. In particular, the city of Yogyakarta has produced many highly original artists over the years. Electronic artist Yennu Ariendra and invented instrument maker Johanes Santoso Pribadi are rising figures in this unique cultural milieu. Together, they create a fast-paced music that blends the oldest connotations with the most recent digital sounds. Against a backdrop almost always lined with a rapid pulse, the strange sounds of Pribadi’s instruments, made from recycled materials, pound and enrich the rhythm. The rather long pieces develop like trance rituals, featuring vocals, various samples and drum-and-bass-style rhythmic explosions.

The esoteric aspect evoked here refers to a conscious Jathilan influence, a Hindu-Buddhist ritual dance once used in Java to protect oneself from oppressors. This theme inspires the very genesis of Raja Kirik. In this new album, this influence is all the more asserted with the bewitching voice of Silir Wangi, whose melodic contour instantly recalls the Indonesian archipelago. The album was also captured on location, during performances with dancer Aria Dwianto, where he embodied a plethora of historical and mythological characters. Although this aspect does not translate well into an album, a highly original musical proposition nevertheless emerges from this recording.

Latest 360 Content

Gloin – All of your anger is actually shame (and I bet that makes you angry)

Gloin – All of your anger is actually shame (and I bet that makes you angry)

Pro Musica | Piano prodigy Jaeden Izik-Dzurko: “serious”, “introverted” and… extremely refined

Pro Musica | Piano prodigy Jaeden Izik-Dzurko: “serious”, “introverted” and… extremely refined

Boubé – Voyager

Boubé – Voyager

Whispering Worlds – Cosmic Cliffs

Whispering Worlds – Cosmic Cliffs

ContaQt/Yaz Lancaster/Evan Ziporyn – ConneQt IV

ContaQt/Yaz Lancaster/Evan Ziporyn – ConneQt IV

Nick Storring – Mirante

Nick Storring – Mirante

Housewife – Girl Of The Hour

Housewife – Girl Of The Hour

The girls slay Turbo Haus

The girls slay Turbo Haus

marcel – ô fornaiz

marcel – ô fornaiz

Bella White: a newer country bluegrass star

Bella White: a newer country bluegrass star

Classic Rock… Hard Rock… Bob Rock… The Damn Truth!

Classic Rock… Hard Rock… Bob Rock… The Damn Truth!

Dicko Fils: on the road to modernity for the Fulani people

Dicko Fils: on the road to modernity for the Fulani people

Ana Krstajić et Joey Reda – Confluence

Ana Krstajić et Joey Reda – Confluence

CC Duo/collectif9 – Re/String

CC Duo/collectif9 – Re/String

Jan Lisiecki – Preludes

Jan Lisiecki – Preludes

Ariane Roy – Dogue

Ariane Roy – Dogue

Model/Actriz – Cinderella

Model/Actriz – Cinderella

Major.Moran – Bunker à ciel ouvert

Major.Moran – Bunker à ciel ouvert

Ariane Moffatt – Airs de Jeux

Ariane Moffatt – Airs de Jeux

Molt – King Lobster Krew

Molt – King Lobster Krew

Ensemble ArtChoral, Matthias Maute : Art Choral vol. 6 : Moderne 

Ensemble ArtChoral, Matthias Maute : Art Choral vol. 6 : Moderne 

The 24 Voices of MIMC: A Preview of The 2025 Edition With Artistic Director Shira Gilbert

The 24 Voices of MIMC: A Preview of The 2025 Edition With Artistic Director Shira Gilbert

Men I Trust – Equus Asinus

Men I Trust – Equus Asinus

Rose Cousins’ communion with nature, the piano, and love

Rose Cousins’ communion with nature, the piano, and love

Subscribe to our newsletter