It's been a while since I posted for Three Tunes Tuesday (TTT). For my first one in 2026, I want to share something I recently discovered that got me pretty excited.
A few weeks back, I was scrolling Instagram and found this account from a group of young musicians in Semarang, Central Java. They post comedy stuff and music. I clicked on their videos expecting the usual Javanese pop, maybe some dangdut thrown in. But when I actually listened, I was surprised. These guys are making City Pop, but they're singing in Javanese.
If you don't know, City Pop is that Japanese genre from the late 70s and 80s. It's got funk, disco, soft rock, smooth jazz all mixed together. I love that sound. But I've never heard anyone do it in Javanese before.
1. Wis Suwe (It's Been So Long)
This is their most popular track. It's about two friends who haven't seen each other in years. Life happened, they went their separate ways, built their careers, started families. Then they meet up again and realize nothing's really changed. Same jokes, same laughs, same connection.
The synths and bassline really fit the nostalgic vibe of the lyrics. It made me think about my own old friends I haven't seen in forever.
2. Titenono (Please Remember)
This one's a heartbreak song. The guy is singing to his ex about all the good times they had together. But it's over now, just memories.
The guitar work and keyboards sound exactly like classic City Pop. It's the kind of song you'd want to listen to while driving at night. Maybe I'm being dramatic, but it really hits that melancholic spot.
3. Sauro Utangmu (Pay Your Debt)
Okay, this one made me laugh. They made a whole ballad about a friend who borrowed money more than 10 years ago and never paid it back. They're singing about debt with the same emotion other City Pop songs use for lost romance.
It's funny but also kind of genius? It shows they're not taking themselves too seriously while still making good music.
I just think it's interesting how these musicians took a Japanese genre and made it their own by using Javanese. City Pop came from Japan's bubble economy era, but now it's being reborn in a completely different culture and language.
Javanese has this poetic quality to it, and hearing it over City Pop melodies creates something I haven't heard before. It feels both familiar (because I love City Pop) and new (because of the language and the local stories).
I hope these guys keep making music. We need more people mixing different influences and creating something that respects both where the music came from and where they're from.
If you're into City Pop or just curious about musical experiments, give these a listen.
Happy Three Tunes Tuesday! 馃幍
What about you? Found any cool music mashups lately?
