The early-2026 move by SANTASANTAP through their EP Run feels like the beginning of a new phase for the duo—an anxious musical language arranged with warmth, and notably more solid than their previous debut EP.

There are no big anthems or bombastic gimmicks here; instead, they slowly uncover a rhythmic foundation shaped by reggae/dub explorations in the spirit of Pasar Kemis—a direction that turns out to be far more contemplative than the symbolic messages usually found in social–media captions. Within this EP, soul–styled dialogues ease their way into emotional spaces, tied together by track titles like “Ego Jatuh Berserakan,” “Mundur Satu-Satu,” “Run,” “Tak Sempurna,” and “Ya An-Nur.”

Hailing from Kabupaten Tangerang, the duo may never have been interested in negotiating artistic concessions, yet that very stance has become a marker of their existence within Indonesia’s Jamaican Sound realm. Laid-back pop R&B vocal delivery proves remarkably solid alongside progressions that borrow cinematic jazz sensibilities in the vein of Waldeck, particularly on “Mundur Satu-Satu.”

At the same time, they seem fully aware of weaving diction beyond the usual tales of coffee cups and breezy beach–side leisure. A phrase like “Jatuh dari awan” in “Ego Jatuh Berserakan” floats high instead—carried by lovers–rock warmth with a touch of city–pop color.

Across its 19-minute runtime, Run refuses rigid genre identity. Hooks and phrases arrive freely, guiding listeners through fragments of the duo’s everyday journeys. There’s a shy, restrained melancholia in “Tak Sempurna,” yet the closing track “Ya An-Nur” firmly nudges listeners toward existential reflection.

Run is our early–year recommendation: a mini–album full of subtle charm—never excessive—crafted by two musicians who seem to be running from the back streets, without spotlights or spectacle, yet doing it all in undeniable style.

(Sam,Keyko)