The work of non-binary Indonesian-Canadian artist Dwi Riana is always notable for its cross-genre style, with previous tracks drawing on folk, hip hop and traditional music. Be it the EP Jambu Tree, or the intimate picture of a relationship as delivered with the duet with Julie Meunier, ‘World War X‘. “An exchange between lovers which begins as a seemingly innocuous conversation but ratchets up with every sentence,” as we wrote of the later, soon precipitating into an argument which draws the relationship’s tensions out into the open.”
New single ‘Arga’ is no exception. The song combines bossa nova sensibilities with elements of jazz and dance, conjuring a sound playful, nostalgic and fond, which proves fitting for its intentions. Because ‘Arga’ is written to their two brothers, as well as the childhood they shared together. “I tell them that I hope they have found love in their lives and that they are loved as they are,” as Riana explains. “In return, I hope that they are able to love me as I am, as the person that I’ve become. Because as much as I’ve changed, at my very core, I’m still the person that they grew up with.”
This is delivered with a real sense of fun, with percussion adding a tangible energy which brings to mind the relationship shared between children, though the underpinning emotion has considerable depth too. “Arga is a name that I use to refer to both my brothers at once,” as Dwi Riana continues. “It was the name of our mother’s first born, our older brother, who passed away as a baby. Even though they’re not with us anymore, we always talked about them as if he was still around. Arga is a Javanese word that translates to “tall mountain”, so for me this name represents a strong and constant presence. I always have this feeling that this name will come back into our lives in some way.
‘Arga’ is out now and available from streaming services.