Indonesia's finest export

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