By: Staff
We discovered MERAK and their latest release, Vol (1), and what a stroke of luck that was. This sonic journey is nothing short of exhilarating, an intricate fusion of psychedelic rock, jazz improvisation, and electronic elements that make for an unforgettable experience.
The album opens with "Dr Vegafunk," and from the first note, it’s an electrifying rush. The reverbed guitars set the tone, leading into Adam Rinando’s snare hits that build tension before coiling around Pandji Dharma’s guitars, perfectly synchronized with the album's artwork. The psychedelic aesthetic is immediate and immersive, drawing listeners into an intricate rhythmic interplay. The track establishes a fluid groove, layered with Dharma’s soaring vocals, while Rinando’s beats feel erratic yet controlled, a balancing act between chaos and precision. When Rayi Raditia’s keys enter, they ride the wave effortlessly, adding depth to the soundscape.
Dharma’s legato vocal technique binds this beautifully controlled anarchy together, allowing the band to explore the song’s fringes like a jazz ensemble while maintaining its core essence. "Dr Vegafunk" is a rare breed. Its unique composition ensures there’s truly nothing else like it. When isolating standout moments, the drastic shift from soaring vocals to the rapid, dramatic punch of:
"Dr Vegafunk!"
creates an unforgettable dynamic. The twangy, sharply toned guitars are irresistible, begging for an air guitar session, while Raditia’s bass is both weighty and fleet-footed, running through the track with a slight disco undertone that makes it undeniably infectious.
The call and response sensation between Dharma’s vocals and Rinando’s drums creates a rhythmic volley that keeps the momentum relentless. The instrumental break is a revelation. Raditia’s bass takes the lead with a hypnotic groove, followed by bursts of keys, and then Dharma’s guitars blaze across the mix like shooting lasers. There is a subtle aroma of The Doors in the atmosphere, but just as you settle into that familiarity, MERAK plunges even deeper, delivering an explosive ending that leaves no doubt about their synergy and technical prowess; it was a mind-bending journey, executed with remarkable musical precision.
"Psycho Locomotive" lives up to its name, propelled by Rinando’s high-velocity drumming. Speed defines the sensation, a relentless forward motion that makes the brief vocal slowdown:
"Every single word I say / Ahhhhhh"
-and it feels like a moment of weightlessness before the acceleration resumes. This shift creates a craving for the return of that high pace, proving just how addictive the rhythm is.
The instrumental break sees the guitars mimic a honking horn, an unexpected and masterfully executed touch. As the track reaches its peak, the bass’s frenetic pace becomes nearly hypnotic, forcing a hyper-fixation on its intricate movement. This, of course, was the intent, and MERAK achieves it flawlessly.
The official video for "Better Days" delivers an equally mesmerizing experience. The opening synths chime and dance, immediately setting a dreamlike tone. The synergy between Raditia’s bass and Rinando’s drumming is next level, creating a uniquely textured rhythm section. The visuals of snow-covered mountains, nature shots, and people skiing complement the ethereal mood, making it the perfect soundtrack to let your mind drift. Dharma’s reverb-laden guitars stretch into infinity, creating an echo chamber effect that seamlessly transitions into the vocals:
"25 and still breathing / oh it sounds misleading"
The hypnotic guitar work intertwines with the visuals of everything from ski slopes, to airports, to cityscapes, drawing the viewer into an unexplainable trance. The imagery feels arbitrary, even mundane, yet impossible to look away from. Then we realize the vocals are the culprit of our fixation, elongated, weightless, almost celestial. Every pause in the vocals feels like an ache, a longing for their return. MERAK’s production technique is masterful, making each song an entirely unique sensory experience. As the track reaches its peak, swirling whooshes envelop the mix, and suddenly, the listener is lost in the song’s universe. No thoughts exist beyond the visuals. No distractions. Just the hypnotic vocals keeping us tethered:
"Everyday I’m drunk / waiting for the sun"
When it becomes clear that this entire experience is likely from the perspective of the teenage bike rider featured in the visuals, it is a revelation. MERAK are true architects of psychedelic immersion, subtly guiding the listener through layered subconscious storytelling.
"Man Against The Moon" presents yet another artistic shift, both musically and cinematically. The video opens with a deep, penetrating stare. A protagonist fixated on the viewer with an unsettling intensity. His sweat-covered face is captured in intimate close-ups, intercut with reel-to-reel footage running in the background. The band appears in a dimly lit room, enveloped in an atmosphere of mystery. The feeling is immediate. This isn’t just a music video. It is the prelude to a full-length psychological thriller.
Musically, the song takes a dramatic turn. Dharma’s vocals transform, embracing a deep, haunting timbre that is wholly unexpected yet undeniably compelling. The cinematic intensity is elevated by masterful instrumentation. Dharma’s guitars wail with an almost primal desperation, while Raditia’s bass underpins the entire arrangement with a pulsing, ominous drive. Rinando’s drumming shifts between delicate control and raw power, mirroring the protagonist’s unraveling psyche. The visuals intensify, and as the song reaches its climax, the band lets loose in a chaotic explosion of sound.
We won’t spoil the rest, but one thing is certain. MERAK are master craftsmen. They don’t just write songs. They create immersive worlds. Their ability to bend genre conventions while maintaining a cohesive artistic vision ensures they will amass a cult-like following. And after this journey, count us among the devoted.
MERAK is a Jakarta-based trio pushing the boundaries of modern psychedelic rock. Comprising Pandji Dharma on guitar, synth, and vocals, Rayi Raditia on bass, keys, and synth, and Adam Rinando on drums, drum machine, and synth, the band crafts a distinct sound that fuses nostalgia with cutting-edge experimentation.
Drawing inspiration from Indonesia’s rich psychedelic history, including the work of Harry Roesli, MERAK blends vintage textures with contemporary sonic exploration. Their debut EP, MERAK Vol(1), is a meticulously crafted experience designed to transport listeners into surreal, introspective soundscapes. Each track is a layered composition of ethereal synths, reverb-heavy guitar passages, and hypnotic rhythms that seamlessly oscillate between structured melody and improvisational chaos.
Dharma describes the project as more than just a collection of songs, but an invitation to lose oneself in sound and emotion. Tracks like "Dr Vegafunk" infuse krautrock energy with funk-jazz elements, while "Better Days" offers a slow-burning, atmospheric journey that lingers in the subconscious.
With Jakarta’s underground music scene flourishing, MERAK is carving out a space of their own, seamlessly blending vintage influences with bold new ideas. Their music is now streaming on all major platforms, and fans can follow them on social media for updates on future releases and live performances. According to Dharma, "This is just the beginning."
Checkout this release on any major platform, make sure to playlist, stream, and share Vol (1) by MERAK.