As she marks the 20th anniversary of her triumphant Malaysian Idol win, Jaclyn Victor has been promoting her brand-new album, fittingly titled “Glorious”. Recorded and produced in the United States, this highly anticipated project is the result of an inspiring collaboration with Malaysian writers and producers based in New York. The nine-track album—a blend of two English songs and seven Malay tracks—ushers in a bold new era for Jaclyn, redefining her artistry with a fresh, dynamic sound that highlights her unmatched vocal prowess.
From the electrifying energy of rock anthems like “Inilah Saatnya” to the infectious rhythms of contemporary pop hits such as “Lepaskan Saja”, and the soul-stirring depth of ballads like “Sesal Tak Bermakna” and “Airmataku”, “Glorious” promises an emotional odyssey for listeners old and new. The title track, “Glorious”, reimagines her iconic hit “Gemilang” in English, preserving the magic of the original while infusing it with modern soundscapes that complement Jaclyn’s soaring vocals.
The “Glorious” album is a testament to Jaclyn Victor’s unwavering spirit—a celebration of her growth, strength, and the music that continues to define her legacy. During our interview with the 46-year-old singer, we did a rundown of each of the tracks from “Glorious”.
“Lepaskan Saja”
This track is really interesting because of its genre – I’m not even sure how to categorize it! I think it’s pop, but it has an Afrobeat influence that makes it stand out. When I first heard the demo, I was like, “Wow!” It’s so different from anything I’ve ever done. It also pushes my vocal range, especially my lower register, which was pretty much nonexistent when I was a lot younger.
“Kejutkan Aku”
“Kejutkan Aku” has a very Bruno Mars vibe – fun, R&B, and bluesy, but still within a pop framework. I absolutely love this song! It might sound effortless, but trust me, it’s incredibly vocally challenging. The groove is just amazing, and I had a great time recording it.
“Sesal Tak Bermakna”
This was one of the hardest songs to sing. When I was in the studio, I knew exactly what I needed to convey – softness and vulnerability, which is tough for me because I usually love to belt out my vocals. Pulling back and allowing that raw emotion to come through was a challenge. Fun fact: I used to joke that the only video of me to hit over a million views was of me falling on stage. But now, I’m proud to say that the video for this song has surpassed a million views. Yeay!
You called “Racun” is the hardest track on the album right? Why?
For some reason, this song haunted me! It was tough to record, partly because I was jet-lagged and exhausted after back-to-back sessions. By the third day in the studio, my voice was struggling. I had to take a break, which actually worked in my favor because I had a trip to London for a wedding. Even then, I couldn’t stop thinking about this song – it kept playing in my head! I was constantly figuring out how to approach it vocally.
“Airmataku”
“Airmataku” isn’t a new song – it was written years ago by Indonesian songwriter Ilham Baso. I first heard it about seven or eight years ago and held onto it because I loved the melody so much. The original demo was just vocals and guitar, but my friends rearranged it beautifully to fit into this album.
“Inilah Saatnya”
People don’t realize that I’m a rock chick at heart! When I used to sing in a band, everything had a rock edge, even the softer songs. So I was thrilled to record this track. This was part of my second trip to the States, where we also recorded “Sesal Tak Bermakna” and “Kejutkan Aku.” By the third day, my voice was completely raspy, which actually added to the rock vibe of the song!
“Kembalilah”
This was the first song I recorded in New York. I flew there just to record this one track back in March 2023. It’s a stunning song, but vocally, it was really challenging because we were still in the experimentation phase at that time.
“B.D.T”
Honestly, I didn’t like this song when I first heard the demo – I just didn’t get it! But then, everyone else in the room was raving about it. Even the recording engineer said it was his favorite track. I started wondering if I was just too old to appreciate it! But once I got into the studio and understood the direction, I grew to love it. It’s different from what people usually associate with me – kind of like a Dua Lipa-esque vibe. Surprisingly, the song started trending in multiple countries, even hitting No. 1 in China, which thrilled me!
Any plans to perform in China?
Wow! I’d love to! Call me, and I’ll be there. I’m always up for an adventure and new opportunities!
“Glorious”
“Glorious” is actually the English version of “Gemilang.” We re-recorded and reimagined it for the album. I was nervous about this one because it starts so quietly but carries so much emotion. I also paid extra attention to pronunciation – I mean, if we want this song to reach international audiences, it has to be just right. Even though I speak English well, my pronunciation still has that Malaysian touch. But in the end, we recorded it quickly, and I’m really pleased with how it turned out. There are some scary high notes at the end, but it’s exciting because it has the potential to connect with a broader audience.
You mention that you recorded more than 9 songs. How many are there in total?
Ten songs in total! During the concert, we teased snippets of them – just 30-second previews – to build excitement. Originally, the album was supposed to drop two weeks after the concert, but there was a slight delay, and it was finally released in January. The previews really stuck with people because they kept asking about one particular track, “Run.” We’re saving that for something special, but I will be previewing it at my showcase!
