Following deep dives into the funky recesses of lost psych sounds from the \u201960s and \u201970s (between new releases from currently active bands), Jakarta\u2019s La Munai label has excavated some outstanding Indonesian pop music of a more recent vintage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Founded in 2003, Jakarta\u2019s Santamonica was \u2013 or maybe is, we\u2019ll see\u2026 \u2013 the duo of musician Joseph Iyup, just back from studies in Germany at the time, and singer Anindita Saryuf, who as fashion director for ELLE Indonesia, supplemented Iyup\u2019s savvy sonic craftsmanship with a sense of style and flair (and whispery vocals of great charm). Together, the married couple created an amalgam of the refined, retrofuturistic, studio-oriented indie pop of the moment, borrowing elements of krautrock, the prettier side of psychedelia, Japan\u2019s effusive Shibuya-kei scene (the formal predecessor to so much J-pop now), the lounge revival, bossa nova, shoegaze, and idiosyncratic French electro-pop. Odd time signatures abound, as do horns and vibraphone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The expanded reissue of 2008\u2019s Curiouser and Curiouser<\/em> includes the albums\u2019s original 10 songs, followed by eight new pieces not found there or on their 2005 EP 189<\/em>, and a new remix of \u201cWanderlust\u201d. The song is arguably the flagship track of the original album, and as good a statement of purpose as any from Santamonica. That said, \u201cRibbons and Tie\u201d is a gentle but unshakable bit of sunshine, and \u201cPaper Dolls\u201d is among the bolder and bouncier tunes here. For a clearer picture, check out their videos for the songs here<\/a>, here<\/a>, and here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a shame Santamonica never gained the global visibility of other acts following in the footsteps of Stereolab, such as Broadcast, Electrelane, or The High Llamas. With luck, though, this bounteous batch of sweet, smart sounds will find them many new and sympathetic ears to compensate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n