Kerontang EP by Jonathan Kusuma

Jonathan Kusuma makes his return to Cocktail d’Amore with a love letter to his Indonesian homeland. Each song steeped in the ancient textures and timbres of the gamelan yet only brought to life through modular synthesis. Awalan opens the EP with a delicate touch, imbued with otherworldly chirps and the aural colours of an early morning sunrise. Roda Rodi as Mr. Kusuma explains is his interpretation of interlocking as a traditional Indonesian way of life. “Gotong Royong"" or ""Mutual Assistance"". The idea of mutual assistance is sharing of burdens between the member of community. Modular sequences tightly fitting into one another, helping to support one another in the structure of their momentary existence. “Kerontang” and “Racacak” are two cuts which have Jonathans signature sound design printed all over them. Big, booming and full of enraptured percussion. We’re treated to a haunting close on “Lorong K”. Menaced tones rising and falling, small fragments piercing through as to be bits of disintegrating concrete falling off the walls of a lost city.