Indonesian alt-rock duo Normatif have made the ultimate record titled Normatif II: Kejar Dunia 9-5 that captures the chaos and uncertainty of the transition period of going from university to working a full-time job. The two brothers, guitarist Adri and vocalist Ical, draw on their personal experiences from that part of their life to deliver an authentic and meaningful listening experience.
Normatif describe the symbiotic relationship between the final stretch of university life and the first year of working adulthood, capturing how hectic that stage of life can be. Acting as a sequel to their 2024 album Kejar Dunia, the record surrounds the narrative of a university student graduating in hopes of attaining greener pastures of stability and the societal ideal of a “perfect life.”
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Normatif II: Kejar Dunia 9-5 follows the life of the student post-graduation, just trying to gain his bearings as he begins dealing with the repercussions of his choice. The record has been a long-haul project for the duo, as the album has been two years in the making, first having been conceptualised by the two when they were students and following them to when they became full-time employees.
The album reflects the tension between youthful idealism and adult realities, with five tracks from their previous EP — ‘Menyembah Dunia,’ ‘Ijazah di Lemari Berdebu,’ ‘Alarm Berbunyi,’ ‘Kelas Pekerja,’ and ‘Diantara Reruntuh’ — depicting dreams slipping away, fading from view. The new tracks featured on the album, like ‘Formatif,’ ‘Balap Tikus,’ ‘9 Pagi,’ ‘3 Tahun Lalu,’ and ‘5 Sore,’ explore the monotony, pressures, and quiet regrets of early professional life.
At the core of the album is the focus track ‘Balap Tikus.’ The track presents a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the “rat race” that corporate life can shape up to be. It captures the immense pressure that it can put on a single person chained to a desk from nine to five as they chase validation from supervisors and promotions to get a leg up, as it becomes natural for them to keep their sights locked on those targets in an effort to attain the delectable block of cheese that is a stable life.
With the release of Normatif II: Kejar Dunia 9-5, fans can get their hands on physical CDs and exclusive merch. The duo has also announced that they will embark on a nationwide Indonesian tour in early 2026.
Through Normatif II: Kejar Dunia 9-5, Normatif speaks to the underdogs — those grinding behind a desk, chasing pay raises, cars, houses, and the dream to “settle down” — challenging the mindset that this is the ultimate goal.
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