OFF THE RECORD

The boys of MidLyfe go unfiltered and uncensored.

- Asha Farisha

There is a sense of mystique surrounding songs and their ability to nudge the emotional compass — a single track can spark lovestruck euphoria, plunge emotions into the depths of despair, or catapult moods onto a wave of pure elation. But how do these meticulously crafted melodies sway choices, tap into deepest emotions, or trigger those impulsive moments that cannot be explained? Consider that one verse from Cigarettes After Sex might have one reaching for the phone to text a long-lost “situationship” while a DJ’s set in the club transports them to an entirely different dimension.

“It was not me. It was the music”, waking up the following morning after making the worst decision in life. There is that innate curiosity to decode someone through their music taste — a universal truth collectively embraced. Music is a vessel of emotions, messages, and memories. It is why the soundtrack of someone else’s Instagram story is analysed or a deep connection is felt when a curated Spotify playlist is sent.

Every song carries a vibe, a message, a story, and the significance it holds is trusted. MidLyfe — lucidrari, Dannqrack, ADER2K, and Eemrun — is the embodiment of this musical influence.

“We don’t follow a blueprint; we just create,” says Rari, who has penned hits like “GADISKU,” “LAMPU BIRU,” and “PAPERTAG.” Ader spins their sets, while Eemrun and Dannqrack are the lyrical architects. Their albums SUPERNATURAL and Hari Biasa have amassed over 50,000 listeners in a month. For this issue, Men’s Folio ask: Can we unravel the boys behind the music?

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST MUSICAL AWAKENING?