ICONIC brothers in music KRU have just unveiled a "black magician" as their first comeback single.
This fast-paced dance pop number is 'Voodoo', complete with a stylishly spooky music video which they, too, produced and incorporated their colourful, imaginative movie ideas.
TESTAMENT
'Voodoo' is penned by the brothers themselves — Datuk Norman, Datuk Yusry and Edry Abdul Halim — and is a testament to their musical evolution and embrace of cutting edge sounds.
At a press conference to launch the music video recently, Norman said the track narrates the thrilling yet perplexing emotions of a man captivated by the magical charms of a mysterious woman.
"This video is a 'prequel' to our musical career, but a fictitious one no doubt," he said at the event in Courtyard By Marriott KL South in Puchong.
DECADE
"It takes us back to the 1990s, the decade where we began as singers.
"And best of all we get to see some AI versions of ourselves from that era."
Norman added that the video had "shades of Stephen King" and depicted them as young "Frankenstein monster teen idols" created in a creepy laboratory sometime in the 1990s, by a psychotic yet sexy female scientist.
SPECIAL
Yusry said: "This new song holds a special place in our hearts not only as our first comeback single, but also as a milestone for the Malaysian music industry.
"By incorporating AI technology into our music video, we are taking a bold step forward.
"We hope 'Voodoo' resonates with music lovers of today and serves as an invitation to them to reconnect with the iconic KRU sound."
He said the video was filmed within a day in Pulau Carey, Kuala Langat, and it was meant to be a "spoof" of naysayers who ridiculed boy bands by calling them "manufactured".
NEEDED
Edry, who sparked the idea behind the song and video, said 'Voodoo' was just the song they needed for a comeback as it contained lots of "surreal" storytelling that was in tandem with their early music videos.
"'Voodoo' is dystopian, both haunting and entertaining, and that is a great mix that packs a punch with our fans.
"We hope Malaysian music lovers will enjoy both the song and the video, and that budding new singers will be inspired to create great music videos and music."
REVERSED
KRU called it a day as a band in 2018, but early this year they reversed their decision as a result of feedback from fans.
The multitalented brothers from Gopeng, Perak, have a new album 'Kaset' and hope to tour major cities next year.
RETURN
Their "return" as a band was also made possible by Sony Music managing director (Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and Special Projects Southeast Asia) Kenny Ong.
Norman said they decided to mark the return of KRU as a band with 'Kaset', and the name of their 10-song new album is a tribute to their early days of making music.
"We've completed four songs and we hope to launch the album after Hari Raya 2025."
REGROUP
Edry said while they had decided to regroup as KRU, they had never broken up.
"We have always been in touch and I visit Kuala Lumpur annually despite living in Manchester, the United Kingdom, with my wife and children."
Yusry said being a pop trio once again was not about the money, but about "love of good music and getting close to music lovers of today".
He said KRU did not plan to cater to new listeners, but welcome them to listen to the KRU sound.
REVOLUTIONISED
KRU, formed in 1992, revolutionised the music scene with their blend of pop, hip-hop and R&B.
Their best-known songs are 'Fanatik', 'Jangan Lafazkan', 'Terhangat Di Pasaran, 'Awas', 'Ooh La La' and 'The Way We Jam'.
Norman, Yusry and Edry also made films such as 'Magika' and 'Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa' that won Best Film at the Malaysian Film Festivals in 2010 and 2011, respectively.
The brothers have continued with their business empire, KRU Studios, producing music for artistes, as well as television programmes and films.
'Voodoo' is now available on all music streaming platforms.