Jakarta-based reggae outfit Andrez and the Babylion return with a new release that feels noticeably different from their previous works. Their latest single, “Roots Spirit and Love,” leans into a more reflective and emotionally charged direction.

Living amid the relentless chaos of the capital city seems to have pushed the group — hailing from the western side of Jakarta — to keep channeling both social unrest and personal experiences through their music. Through this track, Andrez invites listeners into stories about alienation, everyday pressure, and the struggle to endure in circumstances that are rarely easy. These themes remain deeply rooted in the tradition of reggae music, particularly the roots reggae movement that flourished in Jamaica during the 1970s.

Here, “Roots” serves as a reminder to reconnect with the foundations of struggle and the values that shape one’s life, while “Spirit” becomes the inner force that keeps people moving forward, even slowly. On the other hand, “Love” stands as a symbol of peace — something that keeps human beings whole in the face of adversity.

With “Roots Spirit and Love,” Andrez and the Babylion reaffirm that music can exist as more than mere entertainment. It can become a space for healing, as well as a tool for resisting injustice.

(Text: Keyko, Editor & Translation: Sam)