
Inspired by folk legend Woody Guthrie’s adage ‘This machine kills fascists’, veteran Malaysian troubadour Azmyl Yunor’s second single ‘Kapuk’ from John Bangi Blues celebrates the humble kapok guitar (an affordable acoustic guitar common to these parts of the region) as a tool in giving a voice to the voiceless. Illustrated by artist Shika, who also fronts queer punk band TingTongKetz, the animated video celebrates female and marginalized artists alike with a message of empowerment and freedom of expression in the face of tyranny and persecution.
“I said yes in 0.5 second when Azmyl asked me to illustrate his animated music video. When I was in Tokyo, there were many women carrying instruments everywhere – guitar, marching drums, trumpets – and that experience reignited my old dreams of having my own band and also creating female musicians in visuals,” Shika explained.
As part of his ongoing initiative in low budget creative collaborations with film students, filmmakers, and artists alike, the lyric video is the singer songwriter’s first collaboration with Shika who illustrated and conceptualized the characters and edited by filmmaker A-Jun. “I’m a big fan of Shika’s art and always wanted to collaborate with her – she illustrated drawings of me which I didn’t eventually use awhile back but I never had an occasion to follow up. I got know A-Jun about three years ago when she used ‘Tanah Air Ku’ for her documentary which premiered in Taiwan,” explained Azmyl on the origins of the video. All music videos from his new album, which features eight-song in Malay languages and two in English, will feature subtitles English.
The CD format of the album was launched on 26th September on Record Store Day but was digitally launched earlier on 16 September (in conjunction with Malaysia Day) on his Bandcamp page (URL: http://azmyl.bandcamp.com). It is not available on streaming platform services except his Bandcamp page. He has been home delivering the album in person since music venues have been barred from organizing live shows as part of the government’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Malaysia.
After a significant hiatus, CELESTIAL GORGE is back with their first single from the upcoming album, releasing late 2026. Redemption is a cry for clarity amongst the noise of...
Unite Asia | January 28, 2026
Unite Asia | November 11, 2022
REVIEW: Hong Kong Post-Hardcore Act Wellsaid Release Sophomore Album ‘Lurking’
Unite Asia | April 3, 2022
REVIEW: Hardcore Punk Act SPIT Release Self-Titled Debut Album [Taiwan]
Unite Asia | August 31, 2021
REVIEW: Melodic Death Metal Band Reborn Release EP [Vietnam]
Unite Asia | August 4, 2021
REVIEW: The Most Important Punk Rock Release of 2021 – The Rebel Riot [Myanmar]
Unite Asia | June 15, 2021
REVIEW: Metalcore Band Prompts’ ‘Magenta Smile’ Gets A Full Review [Japan]
Unite Asia | January 30, 2026
Unite Asia | January 9, 2026
Osaka Skramz – HOUSE OF THE BLOOD CHOIR – Release Debut Full Length [Japan]
Unite Asia | January 7, 2026
Chinese Melodic Hardcore Act SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS Finally Release Debut EP [China]
Unite Asia | January 4, 2026
Beatdown Band MONYBAG1327 Drop Final 3 Track Promo [Malaysia]
Unite Asia | January 2, 2026
Lebanese Post-Hardcore Band GLIDDEEE Release EP About Resistance [Lebanon]
Unite Asia | January 30, 2026
Unite Asia | January 28, 2026
Technical Brutal Death Metal CELESTIAL GORGE Release New Single [India]
Unite Asia | January 28, 2026
Unite Asia | January 28, 2026
Brunei Pop Punk Act SECRET SIGNAL Release New Single [Brunei]
Unite Asia | January 15, 2026
Myanmar Punk Band ALLERGIC REACTION Release New Single ‘Kho’ [Myanmar]
Unite Asia | January 30, 2026
Unite Asia | January 28, 2026
Technical Brutal Death Metal CELESTIAL GORGE Release New Single [India]
Unite Asia | January 28, 2026
Unite Asia | January 28, 2026
Brunei Pop Punk Act SECRET SIGNAL Release New Single [Brunei]
Copyright © 2024 Unite Asia. Designed and powered by ALT-X Agency.

