monoloQue is kicking off 2025 with something powerful. Their latest single, “Villa Marhaen (Them Vs Us),” is more than just music. It is a reflection, an allegory, and a people’s story told through rhythm and poetry. The track also sets the stage for their upcoming third album, “Tunjuk Langit”.
The song takes inspiration from A. Samad Said’s poem “Marhaenville,” where satire meets social critique. Frontman loQue transforms that idea into “Villa Marhaen,” a mirrored tale of class divide. It does not preach or point fingers but opens a window for listeners to interpret what they hear.
“Villa Marhaen is an allegory, a metaphorical view of two classes. We are not pointing at anyone or anything, but letting listeners interpret for themselves. If the shoe fits, wear it,” says loQue.
Musically, the track is rich with layers. Dual drums, exotic desert-like rhythms, sharp guitar strokes, and even children’s voices from the Farabi Nasyid Group echo throughout the song. It feels like ritual, satire, and sing-along all at once. Bassist Herda Geroda admits the parts were challenging to play, while drummer Bakri Halia calls it “more grounded, straightforward and fun for the stage.” Loko, monoloQue’s senior drummer, adds that it still carries their DNA, even if the sound has shifted.
The title itself holds weight. “Marhaen” represents the common people, while “villa” suggests privilege and the elite. The music mirrors this clash with rhythms that dance between accessibility and critique. Beneath the catchy joget beat lies a subtle but piercing commentary about society.
“Villa Marhaen” is not just a single. It is the opening of “Tunjuk Langit”, monoloQue’s next full-length project. The album will weave together joget, dangdut, ballads, and experimental sounds into something loQue describes as a new nickname for the soul of their music.
With “Villa Marhaen,” monoloQue once again proves that their work is not just to be heard. It is meant to be felt, questioned, and sung together.
The track is now streaming on all major platforms.
