Rayen Pono's 'Declaration' As A Soloist Will Prove On His Initial Album

Photo: Rian Ekky Pradipta, Rayen Pono, and Alden Luhukay at a press conference for the launch of the album Fourteen in Jakarta. (Rifky Nugraha / VOI)

JAKARTA - Accumulating a two-decade national music scene, Rayen Pono is ready to introduce his identity as a soloist through his first album titled Fourth on February 30.

"It doesn't feel like I've been in the music world for two decades. Both as a singer, songwriter, producer, and even vocal director," said the musician who first gained the attention of Indonesian music fans in the 2000s as a pop member of the Pasto duo.

The release schedule for this album was deliberately at the end of the month because it coincided with Rayen's 40th birthday.

"This album is a manifestation of my celebration and self-declaration for me, why celebration? Because the birth of this album marks 40 years of my life in this world and 20 years of my career in the music industry," Rayen said at a press conference in Jakarta, Monday, February 6.

"Why is the declaration? Because this album fully confirms my individuality as a musician. On this album, I focus on my identity and ignore what might be market expectations," he continued.

Convex under Semesta Records, this Fourth of album is a milestone for this musician with Ambon and East Nusa Tenggara blood.

Meanwhile, Rian Ekky Pradipta, or who is familiarly called Rian D'Masiv, as CEO of Semesta Records, shared his initial interest in producing this album.

"I saw Rayen at that time through her singles, still felt like following the market. But, since I heard the first Pasto album, I was immediately interested. This is really r&b," said Rian.

"Then I told him, man, you have to make something like this again, it's time for you to make a song that you like, you don't have to think about the market. What do you want to do, I will brush it," he continued.

Alden Luhukay, as a co-producer, also expressed his joy at the release of this album.

"At that time we really didn't have a burden, because this is our very music," said Alden.

"I and Rayen do meet us all the time, so we try to get a sound that is different from the current neo-soul. So I really try to return the color of Rayen again," he continued.

In this album, Rayen explores r&b and soul music which is his love and at the same time looks at the motives of other genres such as world music, hip hop, neo-tradition, and goal. Its originality is also a common thread that unites 11 songs that compose the album Fourth.