“Maybe There’s more to life than money Although it makes us happy There must be something more”
Bali-based alternative pop-rock sensations MANJA are back with a spellbinding new single, “My Oh My”. The vibrant anthem blends the band’s signature sound with a powerful social message. Born from anger and disillusionment, “My Oh My” reflects on meaningful connections, urging listeners to pause and ruminate about what truly matters in life.
Frontman James Sukadana and brothers Nick Pratama on guitar and keyboardist Mark Saputra were troubled by the cultural shift overtaking their surroundings. “I understand that change is inevitable, but I hope the song can remind people that we can choose which changes are beneficial for us, both as individuals and as a community,” James explains.
The band feel that society’s hunger for cheap thrills, overnight fame, and material wealth has consumed humanity, so much so that people are starting to forget their human roots, which, according to them, are the ability to stick with each other and be kind.
They argue this hunger has eclipsed fundamental human values such as kindness and community, which the band believes amounts to more than mere shallow possessions. “Today’s society has emphasised toxic competitiveness and individuality too much, but life is so much more than that,” Nick notes.
It is no hard labour to notice that the song has a distinct call-to-action nature.
From “You and I are better off dancing around this town” to “Look around, all we have is one another/Look inside, see the gifts we have to offer”, the band stay persistent in influencing their closest ones to begin making small changes towards a better society.
Their belief in the power of these small changes to make a big difference is truly inspiring and fills the audience with hope and optimism. “We can make the world a better place simply by reaching out and helping the people around us rather than focusing on the superficial.
We all need to take a step back and contemplate,” says James.
According to frontman and principal songwriter James, the song came to him piece by piece. “I wrote the song in chunks, starting from the first verse and chorus, followed by the second verse, and then came the bridge. We finished the demo years ago before getting signed [to our current record label].
The song has gone through quite a lengthy process,” he describes.
The profound lyrics and catchy chord progression were glued together by the track’s notable percussive aspects, which comes as no surprise considering that the production process was
helmed by renowned Indonesian drummer Brian Kresna Putro, who also worked on the band’s 2023 single “Last Night’s Kiss”. “Between him and our collaborator, percussionist Ayla Adjie, it was a rhythmic match made in heaven,” says Mark.
“Collaborating with Ayla was a highlight with him bringing all his ‘toys’ for us to play around with. I felt like a kid again!” he continues.
“My Oh My” is an ode to human connections and seeking bliss in the world’s dynamic hurdles, a musical anchor to remind us of our true purpose amid an ever-changing world. MANJA’s latest single is more than just a song – it’s a mission to reignite the flame of communal spirit and to discover what truly matters in life by taking a breather and thinking twice.
That mission of theirs rings even stronger with the captivating music video that the song is intertwined with. Shot two hours away from Bangkok, Thailand, led by Thai director Khamkwan, this marked the band’s first collaboration with an international production house.
The video features stunning visuals and a compelling narrative that complements the song’s message. “We’re blessed to have worked with them. What an experience that was.
The scorching hot sun had nothing on how much fun we shared on set,” Nick recalls. Watch the official music video to “My Oh My” here.
With “My Oh My,” MANJA invite listeners to join them in rediscovering the joy of living for something greater than oneself. The track will be available on all major streaming platforms starting July 31, 2024. (kanalbali/RLS)
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