MANJA share synth-soaked, splashy track + video "MNSF" out now
MANJA SHARE SYNTHY, SOARING TRACK + VIDEO "MNSF" OUT NOW
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Today, Bali, Indonesia-based pop/rock band MANJA share vibrant track and video "MNSF" is out everywhere now. With their latest offering, MANJA invite listeners to get lost in the kaleidoscopic, splashy synths and offer a place of solace–what the band calls "Shangri-La for the soul."
With their first release of 2024, "MNSF," out today, paints a portrait of a light-hearted, upbeat mythical utopia that finds the band in a playful pursuit of a good time. Written by vocalist James Sukadana and inspired by The Weeknd and Parcels, the track came about following a bout of writer's block and slowly formed a lush sonic world that can be experienced today. “When the melody came, I had this incredible idea to write about an otherworldly heavenly place where we can escape to, a world where fantasy and reality coexist side by side,” explains Sukadana. On the track's title and its fluid meaning, Sukadana adds, "We call it 'Minasofa,' but the song might imply a different name for each wanderer. "It is up to the listeners how to pronounce or write it. It is a different state of mind or place for every artist or listener, so everyone is free to devise their word for it."
The track was mixed by American multi-platinum producer and mixing engineer Brian Maloufand mastered by GRAMMY Award-winning mastering engineer Howie Weinberg. It also features the enchanting voices of Indonesian artists Meda Kawu and Venessa Adverta, who elevate the track and bring it deeper into its radiant sonic universe. The trio reunited with producer duo Brian Kresno Putro and Enrico Octaviano who produced their previously released track, "Last Night's Kiss."
"MNSF" is a slight departure for MANJA, unveiling another side to the band that represents a place of respite and self-discovery. In July 2023, the group shared the playful track and video, "Last Night's Kiss." Alt77 wrote the track is a "guitar-driven pop single that’s big on hooks and sentimentality," and praise the band's ability to produce a memorable hook: "MANJA know that there’s no quicker way to an audience’s heart and into their collective memory than through pop hooks."
The track’s accompanying music video is a visual feast crafted by Jakarta-based directors Gisela Febrina Juwono and Adine Halim. The otherworldly visual mirrors the magic of the track, and it was a joy to make, says guitarist Nick Pratama. "It felt like we were in a movie set. The location was unique, and Gisela, Adine, and their crew did an amazing job designing the set. We had so much fun."
MANJA is made up of Indonesian/Australian vocalist James Sukadana and Indonesian/Belgian brothers Nick Pratama (guitar) and Mark Saputra (keyboard)–a name that comes from a combination of the members' names. Together, the trio creates their own mix of pop and rock that encourages self-discovery and includes blending cultures and drawing from both Eastern and Western influences, sonically and lyrically. The trio has supported London-based pop band PREP and has received support from Hashtag Magazine, Wildfire Music and Indonesia's Medcom and IN Today and promises much more to come.
The pool-side-ready, bright "MNSF" by MANJA is out everywhere now. Connect with MANJA on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook for more from the rising trio.
MANJA Bio
The story of alternative pop-rock trio MANJA began in the vibrant island paradise of Bali. Comprising vocalist James Sukadana and brothers Nick Pratama and Mark Saputra – the band’s lead guitarist and keyboardist, respectively – the trio stands at the crossroads of cultures, crafting sounds that reflect the complexities of a mixed heritage.
Each member of MANJA brings a unique story. Growing up in an environment that blends Indonesian and Caucasian heritages, they have been experiencing life through a lens of duality shaped by both Eastern and Western influences. This potpourri of cultures has left them facing an identity crisis, which has also become the bedrock of their artistic expression.
While struggling to define their identity, James, Nick, and Mark found refuge in their love for music, a unifying language that transcends all barriers, including culture. As a unit, their different backstories became a powerful element of their music. “It felt like something clicked from the moment we met,” Nick remarks.
The result was music highlighting the essence of who they are as a band and individuals. For MANJA, it is not just about writing one catchy song after another but also diving deep into questions of identity.
Their collection of songs is a journey through themes of belonging, self-discovery, and the universal quest to find one’s place in the world, including their previous songs “Last Night’s Kiss” and “Still Young”, as well as their upcoming single “MNSF”, a synth-laden Shangri-La for the soul.
MANJA fuses the upbeat energy of Western pop with the rich emotional depths of their Indonesian roots. Each song reflects their experiences, echoing the highs and lows of navigating life with a multicultural identity. “MANJA is our passion, and we feel like we have a message to convey that could resonate with many,” says James.
MANJA's mission is to connect with others in a similar situation, providing a soundtrack to their shared experience of discovering and embracing their true self.
Find out who you are with MANJA and unearth the unique strength and beauty in a world of colours and diversity.
