Local Vocal (No.12) : Frau

Three years ago, there was this lovely female musician from Yogyakarta who mesmerized us with the album titled Starlit Carousel.  The dulcet tones from her piano and her vocal was something we could not easily forget; you will be able to recognize any of her melody by the first few seconds. She enchanted us with the spell of “Mesin Penenun Hujan” and “Sepasang Kekasih yang Bercinta di Luar Angkasa”, and then she took a moment off.

Last month, she’s back.

Leilani Hermiasih picked the name Frau as her stage name. A singer and a componist, she produces her songs with a digital piano. After the hiatus, last August she released Happy Coda, an album of eight tracks available to download for free.

“Something More”, the song served as the first track feels tightly playful, building up enthusiasm to hear where Frau will take you this time. Close your eyes, she will serenade your way the land of fairytale with “Water”, resembling soundtrack from Disney movies. On the fourth track, “Tarian Sari”, she somehow could bring the image of her hometown Yogyakarta. This graceful track distinguishes itself with gamelan-like sets of tone and Frau’s occasional sinden-like vocal. While “Mr. Wolf” came as another enjoyable track as you can imagine her fingers playfully tip-toeing from key to key.

Happy Coda portrays happier image than Starlit Carousel, and also wider complex of emotion. From happy to mad, silly or sad. If Starlit Carousel was a person you adore from three years ago, then you would be more delighted to meet the charmingly evolved version, Happy Coda. If you haven’t met any of them, well now you should.

(Photo credit: http://literarybiennale.salihara.org)