Indonesian art-pop duo Santamonica emerged from their quiet spell with 'SIN' — a gripping new release accompanied by a hypnotic visual experience.
Years in the making, ‘SIN’ is the first glimpse into the duo’s upcoming full-length album Wunderkammer, a spiritual sequel to their acclaimed debut Curiouser and Curiouser. Written by Sistine (Anindita Saryuf) and produced with Joseph Saryuf, the track takes a deep dive into the emotional aftermath of internalised guilt and the slow-burning rage of feminine resistance.
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Originally penned in 2008, ‘SIN’ draws on centuries of inherited narratives — "how women are so often seen as the source of sin," Sistine shares. With ethereal vocals floating over moody synth textures, the song delivers not redemption, but a quiet reckoning.
The accompanying video expands this narrative into a surreal performance art piece. Shot inside a transparent box, Santamonica perform under pulsing lights and haunting projections, like a modern ritual suspended in time. Dressed in dramatic couture by Harry Halim, and adorned in custom pieces by Mahija and Rinaldy Yunardi, Sistine's presence evokes both saint and siren — powerful, still, and impossible to ignore.
The visual threads date back to a photoshoot from 2015, in collaboration with photographer Ifan Hartanto and Indonesian fashion label Tangan. A woman in a slaughterhouse, an apple in her mouth — a visceral take on the myth of original sin. That image, like the song, sat unreleased for years — until now.
With 'SIN', Santamonica aren’t just marking a return. They’re reclaiming the narrative.
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