RuoH, an indie band from Seri Iskandar, Perak, has officially launched their debut album, “Kembara Budak Kampung dari Marikh”. This marks the group’s first full-length release after several singles on major streaming platforms, including “Dendang Kesumat,” “Bila Lagi,” “Mat Spy” and “Keroncong Lumut.”
The album opens a new chapter for RuoH, one that explores themes of identity, reflection and the beauty of staying true to their roots while continuing to push creative boundaries.
Meet RuoH
Formed in late 2017, RuoH began as a cultural arts group project at Universiti Teknologi MARA Seri Iskandar. The band consists of Shahryl Yusof (vocals, guitar), Bob (vocals, lead guitar), Irfantafa (bass) and Mat Spy (drums). Though now based across different cities, they remain proudly connected to their kampung beginnings in Perak.
“We always tell people we play Malay Pop. But honestly, we just play whatever we like,” said the band members.
Their music embraces imperfection—raw, spiritual, and deeply human. That honesty shines through in “Kembara Budak Kampung dari Marikh”, recorded at the Ipoh Experimental Art School under avant-garde producer Dr. Kamal Sabran.
Using just two microphones, an audio interface, and a MacBook, RuoH recorded everything on their own, starting each session with a short “tazkirah dan zikir urban” to centre themselves before playing.
A Journey of Sound and Spirit
While “Kembara Budak Kampung dari Marikh” might sound like a story from another planet, its heart is grounded in human emotion and Malaysian identity. The album weaves together eight tracks that flow like a story—shifting from personal to political, from introspective to playful.
Tracks like “Abah-Atok” stand out for their sharp political commentary wrapped in psychedelic rock and hip-hop, while “SBM” leans into playful experimentation with spontaneous riffs. “Seandainya Kita Terbang,” one of their earliest compositions, captures a melancholic yet hopeful look at life’s fleeting moments.
Every song on the album carries RuoH’s unmistakable touch, warm, honest and unpolished in all the right ways. The band embraced spontaneity throughout the process, recording everything in one take and even using old, slightly broken instruments to create their signature sound texture.
The Visuals: Kampung Meets Cosmic
The album’s artwork—designed by Bob from the band, alongside Dr. Kamal Sabran—is just as imaginative as the music itself. Featuring a family home transformed into a surreal, AI-enhanced portal, it symbolizes nostalgia, growth, and creative exploration.
It’s a visual that mirrors RuoH’s identity: a mix of tradition and modernity, sincerity and humour. The band’s signature look of baju Melayu and kain pelikat has also become part of their creative expression, representing their roots while challenging what “indie” aesthetics can look like.
“Kembara Budak Kampung dari Marikh” is now out on Bandcamp, with physical copies coming soon. RuoH plans to bring their music to live shows next, sharing their stories with more listeners. The album reflects their heart, humour and hometown spirit, proving how far sincerity can go.
