Rex Party Releases 'Runaway': A Reflection of Social and Political Frustration in Indonesia

Music unit Rex Party has once again shaken up the domestic music industry with the release of their second single, titled ‘Runaway’. The song serves as a bridge to their second album while also acting as a medium for its members to voice deep-seated anxieties about the current social and political conditions in Indonesia. Born from a sense of collective frustration, ‘Runaway’ captures the phenomenon of the #KaburAjaDulu hashtag, which recently became a hot topic of discussion in the virtual world. The hashtag is seen as a manifestation of public unease, with people feeling cornered by the country’s situation. Hans Kotaro, the songwriter, poured his inner turmoil into emotional lyrics, presenting a dilemma between staying to nurture hope in the homeland or giving in to the urge to leave the country. Amidst issues of strict censorship and challenges to freedom of expression, Rex Party chose a unique approach. They use an imaginative narrative as the primary medium to convey criticism and unease. Through a melancholic arrangement, the song was deliberately created to provide a cathartic effect for its listeners, emphasising a heavy atmosphere and a thick sense of despair throughout its duration. One sharp excerpt from the lyrics depicts the contrast between the people’s outcry and the ruler’s attitude: ‘And then everyone is shouting around, Now this clown is done! Or we will be gone! The king over there just smiles and laughs, Telling everyone, Everything is fine.’ The creative process for ‘Runaway’ holds a number of unique stories. Unlike their previous works, this song is the first self-produced track made independently by Rex Party. Interestingly, part of the recording process took place at a doughnut shop in the Gading Serpong area. Musically, Rex Party acknowledges that the creative process for this song was heavily inspired by the musical styles of Olivia Rodrigo and Japanese musician Vaundy. The result is a composition that remains modern yet possesses a dark emotional depth. The song has been available on various digital music streaming services since 15 May 2026.