Indonesia's finest export

Artist : Anggun
Album : Luminescence
Label : Universal Music
Rating : *** out of *****
Standout tracks: Undress Me

Most of Anggun's fans in the world outside Indonesia probably do not know that the Jakarta-born chanteuse was once a rock singer whose greatest hit in the early 1990s was a crappy song titled Tua Tua Keladi (Misbehaving Old Man).

Little did people realize then that Anggun would soon morph into a pop diva who would score hits on the far side of the world.

Anggun, daughter of famous artist Darto Singo, had recorded six full albums in Indonesia before leaving the country to try her luck in Europe in 1994.

Those Indonesian releases hinted little about Anggun's future music.

Years after relocating to France and getting to know the scene in the music business there, Anggun hit paydirt in 1997 with the summer hit La Neige Au Sahara off Au Nom De La Lune.

On the strength of that hit, Anggun later joined the Lilith Fair tour together with Sarah McLachlan and Erykah Badu among other noted acts.

At the end of 2000 Anggun was asked to appear at a Christmas concert in the Vatican alongside a host of international stars, including Bryan Adams.

It seemed that Anggun's career path was greatly determined by the single, soft and romantic ballad that became the staple in her future albums and live shows.

Luminescence is Anggun's fifth album on the world stage and follows a trajectory that was mapped for the first time in her debut.

Despite being backed by some atmospheric pre-programmed music, songs in Luminescence sound so warm and intimate, thanks to Anggun's sensual vocals.

In Cover Anggun's hushed vocals, paper-thin guitar riffs and a lush orchestration makes up an endearing dreaminess. -- M. Taufiqurrahman