Meraung Shape Soft Noise into Intimate Resolve on Change
From Bogor, West Java, Indonesia, Meraung continue to define their place within the country’s growing alternative underground with Change, a five-track LP that captures a band in the midst of artistic formation. Operating at the crossroads of indie pop, noise pop, and indie rock, the release reflects a young project refining its language through atmosphere, melody, and emotional restraint rather than scale or excess.
Formed around 2023, Meraung belong to a new generation of Indonesian indie artists emerging from cities beyond the traditional cultural centres. Their music is closely tied to the DIY ethos of the local scene, shaped through online platforms such as Bandcamp and Instagram as much as through physical spaces. Change arrives not as a breakthrough moment, but as a deliberate step forward, consolidating ideas the band have been developing since their earliest releases.
Sonically, the LP leans into a dreamlike sensibility. Reverb-heavy guitars form soft, enveloping layers, while melodies remain introspective and understated. Noise pop elements surface in textured distortion and blurred edges, but they are balanced carefully against pop instincts that keep the songs emotionally accessible. Rather than overwhelming the listener, Meraung favour mood and repetition, allowing feeling to emerge gradually.
The title Change feels purposeful. Across its five tracks, the record suggests transition, both personal and artistic. There is a sense of movement without urgency, as if the band are documenting a shift in perspective rather than declaring a new identity outright. The songs feel inward-looking, shaped by reflection and quiet emotional processing rather than dramatic confrontation.
This release builds naturally on Meraung’s earlier work. Their 2024 single Mimpi introduced a softer, more melodic side of the band, while Merah di Tiga, released in 2023 on Bandcamp, leaned more heavily into indie rock and noise pop textures. Change sits between these poles, blending atmosphere and structure with greater confidence, and suggesting a clearer understanding of how restraint can serve emotion.
What stands out on the LP is cohesion. With a short runtime, Change avoids filler entirely. Each track feels intentional, contributing to a shared emotional space rather than competing for attention. The production remains minimal but effective, reinforcing the sense that this is a project guided by feeling rather than polish.
Within Indonesia’s underground indie landscape, Meraung occupy a subtle but promising position. They are often mentioned in conversations around emerging shoegaze, dream pop, and noise pop scenes in cities like Bogor and Jakarta, not because of spectacle, but because of consistency and sincerity. Their music feels lived-in, shaped by proximity rather than ambition.
Change may be modest in scale, but it functions as a clear marker of growth. It captures Meraung in the act of becoming, refining their sound while remaining open to evolution. The LP does not attempt to define everything at once. Instead, it offers a quiet, expressive snapshot of a band learning how to trust atmosphere, melody, and emotional nuance as guiding forces.
For listeners drawn to introspective indie music with softened edges and a DIY spirit, Change feels like an invitation rather than a statement. It lingers gently, leaving space for both the band and the audience to continue moving forward.
© Thusblog
