This week, our Musical World Tour is stopping in the Southeast Asian country of Brunei (aka the State of Brunei or Brunei Darussalam). Known for its oil and gas reserves, being the only remaining Malay Islamic monarchy in the world, and a beautiful and proud heritage, this nation also has a unique and interesting music scene. Here's our info dump to as we get ready to check it out:
-Capital City: Bandar Seri Begwan
-Official Language: Malay
-Government: Unitary Islamic absolute monarchy, currently under the leadership of Sultan & Prime Minister Hassanal Bolkiah and Crown Prince & Senior Minister Al-Muhtadee Billah
-The Sultanate was originally established in 1368, the land became a British protected state in September 1888, and the country declared its independence from the United Kingdom in January 1984
-Land Area: 2,226 square miles (with 8.6% of its area being water)
-Population: 460,345 estimated as of 2020 (175th most populous in the world)
-Religion: 80.9% Sunni Islamic, 7.1% Christian, 7% Buddhist, 5% other religious affiliation
-Drive on the left side of the road
Bruneian music shares many aspects with other Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines while staying true to the countries devout Islamic practices. Dancing is more restricted than other nearby cultures, but the Jipin dance (performed by six men and six women with traditional instruments) and Aduk-Aduk (a ceremonial Kedayen dance performed for birthdays) is common. Folk music includes instruments like the biola (similar in design to a viola), dombak (a goblet drum from Iran), rebana (a type of tambourine), kulintang (a setup of multiple sized gongs), and even coconut shells. Let's see what we've got to check out this week!
Janji by Aziz Harun (written by A. Harun, E. Kong)
Abdul Aziz bin Harun, better known by his stage name Aziz Haraun, is a Bruneian singer and actor. Born December 1998 in Bandar Seri Begawan, he is a graduate of the University of East Anglia in England and has become well known for his unique blend of traditional Bruneian music with modern pop. Proficient on vocals and guitar, he has released eighteen singles since 2012. Janji (Promise in English) was released as a single very recently, in June of this year. I liked this one; Harun has a nice voice, and I liked the guitar line quite a bit. It's a nice, chill song that sounds like something you could easily find on Western radio. An English translation of the original Malay lyrics is below.
Be in front of your eyes/Pictured all the history we have gone through/And the tears flowed again/Stop time for a moment/Give your feelings room/We breathe again/Do you remember our promise/Stay together until the end/So why should it end/With our tears flowing/Do you remember our promise/What you said under the twilight sky/Maybe it's more beautiful if it's like this/Separated without us understanding
Still Sad by Bluemoongirl (written by A. Murni)
Amal Murni, better known by her stage name Bluemoongirl, is a Bruneian musical artist. I unfortunately couldn't find a lot of biographical info on her, but she is an alternative artist based in Bandar Seri Begawan and has released 2 studio albums since 2020. Still Sad was originally featured on her 2020 album Journal Entries. I liked this one quite a bit; it has a cool, almost lowfi quality to it that felt really meditative and relaxing. If that's your vibe of music, I strongly suggest checking her out. I couldn't find a good transcription of the lyrics, but just listen to it and enjoy.
Tunggu Aku by Fakhrul Razi (written by R. Ories)
Muhammed Fakhrul Razi bin Ibrahim, better known by his stage name Fakhrul Razi, is a Bruneian singer. Born April 1980 in Bandar Seri Begwan, he is an alumnus of the Paduka Seri Begwan Sultan Science College and the Universiti Brunei Darussalam who combines pop, R&B, and indigenous Bruneian music into his repertoire. A popular vocalist, Razi has released one studio album in his twenty year career along with several singles. Tunggu Aku (Wait for Me in English) was released as a single in 2016. This song was kind of mid for me; I didn't dislike it, but nothing really stood out either. Razi's vocals are good, but this felt like another somewhat generic R&B song to me. An English translation of the original Indonesian lyrics is below.
I'm sorry if I hurt you/Not my heart's intention/Let me be honest as it is/When the destiny of our love/It's just one slam/Realize and understand/All the best for us/When you want, wait for me/If you want, wait for me/This is me with less/I don't want to lie to you, wait for me/Realize and understand
Bersamamu by Jaz (written by Kaleb J, B. Abe, A. Edo)
Aziz Hayat, better known by his stage name Jaz, is a Bruneian singer. Born in March 1993, he is a popular musical act in Brunei gravitating towards the genres of R&B and pop. Over the last eight years, he has released twelve singles. Bersamamu (With You in English) was released as a single in 2023. I would've assumed this song was a bit older than that, as the vibe reminds me of 90's R&B. Jaz has pretty decent vocals, and you can tell the guy loves to make music just by listening to him. An English translation of the original Malay lyrics is below.
With you, we will conquer the world/Navigate an ocean full of obstacles/With you, we will experience it all/Don’t be afraid to step with me together/With you, I will be loved sincerely/Without doubt, I will give you my love/With me, you won’t be lonely/Be assured, I’m the best for you/With you, we will explore the universe/Embark on our own story/With you, we will share it all/Every good and bad part of me/I know you have doubts/Let me tell you
Allah Peliharakan Sultan by Robert Neary (written by Y. Halim, H. Sagap)
Allah Peliharakan Sultan (God Bless the Sultan in English) is the national anthem of the State of Brunei. With music composed by Haji Awang Besar bin Sagap & lyrics written by Bruneian politician, nobleman, civil servant, diplomat, and writer Yura Halim in 1947, the song was adopted in 1951 as the national anthem of the British Protectorate of Brunei and then of Brunei Darussalem once they became independent from the United Kingdom in 1984. An English translation of the original Malay lyrics is below.
O God, we plead and cry to Thee/Our Sultan and King, him a long life lease/Help him rule thy lands, disposition wise/Gates of glory and joy he shall boldly prise/Peace be on our land, peace be on our Sultan/God save Brunei, our beloved Abode of Peace
Suara Hidup by Syafiq Abdilah (composer unknown)
Muhammed Syafiq Abdullah bin Soony, better known by his stage name Syafiq Abdilah, is a Bruneian singer and actor. Born November 1999 in Bandar Seri Begwan, he attended the Laksamana College of Business prior to beginning his music career in 2019. A talented vocalist and guitarist who tends to focus on jazz, Abdilah has released three singles so far. Suara Hidup (Voice of Life in English) was released as a single in 2022. I really enjoyed this one a lot; Abdilah has a nice voice and I quite liked the instrumentation. It's a beautiful song that's very pleasant to listen to. An English translation of the original Malay lyrics is below.
Until when will I wait/I don't know what you mean when you/You said you are not ready/Your words are not enough for me/I will not waste it/Your presence here/There will be no one like you/My day is more beautiful when you are with me/You are the rhythm and tone of my life/Without you by my side, I can't imagine/You are the voice of my life, make it forever
Kau Telah Bersama Dia by Zul F (written by I. Baso)
Haji ZulFakhari bin Muksin, better known by his stage name Zul F, is a Bruneian singer, songwriter, and actor. Born in October 1980, he is one of the most popular musicians in Brunei, getting started in the Bruneian band Pneumatic Souls and winning P2F (Brunei's equivalent to American Idol) in 2006 as a solo artist. A skilled vocalist, Zul F was the first Bruneian musician to appear on MTV Asia back in 2007, typically performs the genres of Latin, soul, and jazz, and has released one studio album back in 2011. Kau Telah Bersama Dia (You've Been With Him in English) was released as a single in 2023. To me, this song felt like it belonged in the credit roll for a 90's romcom. Zul F has nice vocals, the song just felt a little dated for my taste. I couldn't find a good English translation for the lyrics, but give it a listen and see what you think about it.
I hope you found some interesting new music to explore on our journey today. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!
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