Loca Polka - Cruel Pleasure
LOCA POLKA DROP LUSCIOUS ‘CRUEL PLEASURE’
Loca Polka is an indie-pop band from Central Java, Indonesia. Headquartered in Magelang, Loca Polk dropped a four-track EP – Cruel Pleasure – on Christmas day.
Loca Polka
Formed in 2017, the band is made up of Nuri Hapsari (vocals, bass), Mikael Yudi Priamuda (guitar), Ginanjar Wahyu (drums), and Christian Agung (guitar). The band’s sound blends stylistic elements of ‘90s pop with modern flavors, and is reminiscent of Sixpence None the Richer, Moonpools and Caterpillars, Pale Saints, The Primitives, and Camera Obscura.
Recorded at Tung Studio in Magelang, the EP was mixed and mastered by Aditya Ari, while the lyrics were written by Nuri Hapsari, whose lyricism is excelled only by her lusciously creamy voice, an instrument of delightful sonic expression.
Beginning with “Surrender,” which opens on a wonderfully taut drum intro flowing into pale gleaming guitars full of jangly colors, when Hapsari’s divine tones enter, the tune takes on delicious sonic hues, floating and dreamy, yet pushing with wonderful clarity. An omnipotent bassline, along with Wahyu’s finessed percussion establish a low-slung muscular rhythm.
Hapsari’s dulcet voice wafts over the music on velvety textures infused with tantalizing nuances.
“The Sun May Know” travels on shimmering guitars, delivering coruscating-lite sparkles of sound, as the plump bassline and drums set the new-wave-like cadence. Hapsari’s dulcet voice wafts over the music on velvety textures infused with tantalizing nuances. I love the glittering guitars on this track, as they interact with Hapsari’s silky tones.
“Weekend Love” radiates more surging energy than the prior two songs, but still glows with iridescent frissons, imbuing the harmonics with elusive yearning colors. Luminous harmonies give the lyrics a bright dimension and scrumptious filaments of oozing timbres.
“Too Fool to be Loved” rides thick jangly colors topped by Hapsari’s dazzlingly evocative voice, almost remote in aspect, but simultaneously proximate, like an angel crooning from on high.
With Cruel Pleasure, Loca Polka establishes themselves as one of the best dream-pop/indie-pop bands currently extant.
