For the past few years, Reginaraki has been known as a harmony maker as a backing singer within Jakarta-based outfit Monkey Boots. Last month, she stepped into another stage with “Gemilang,” a debut single that marks her transition forward into a ‘main stage’ —under her own name.

Her first step arrives as a coherent aesthetic decision. Reginaraki sings with clarity, fascinating restrained minor-key harmonies, moving at an unhurried pace. Much like its lyrics, which unfold slowly and avoid excessive metaphor, “Gemilang” speaks through small gestures: a smile, a lingering gaze, and waiting.

One of the single’s most compelling elements is the involvement of Tuan Jenggo—her compatriot in Monkey Boots—as producer. A true champ within Indonesia’s Jamaican-influenced music sphere, he brings a sense of quiet illumination to “Gemilang,” shaping it with his musical maturity in the fancy style of Lovers Rock.

The song’s simple verse–chorus structure proves to be its strength. Reginaraki’s harmonies allow the melody to glide smoothly from the outset, introduced by an ethereal organ line that immediately establishes the atmosphere. Tuan Jenggo’s approach indeed needs to be highlighted, he favors space over density, placing synthesizer and clavinet phrases with precision, all anchored by a gently bubbling rhythm beneath.

Ultimately, “Gemilang” stands as Reginaraki’s statement through the universal spirit of Lovers Rock—simplicity yet grande, clear, and quietly captivating.

(Sam)