Album Review: Azizah by Iis Sugianto – A Hidden Gem from 1991
Alright, let’s talk about Azizah, the album that kinda sneaks up on you like an old friend you forgot to miss. Released in 1991 under Life Records (shoutout to Malaysia!), this record is a smooth blend of pop and jazz vibes, with just enough soul to keep things interesting. Produced with some finishing touches from Hup Hup Sdn. Bhd., it feels polished but not overdone—like someone gave it a good scrub without rubbing off its charm.
Now, flipping through the tracklist feels like opening a time capsule. You’ve got songs like “Tiga Malam,” which is basically three nights’ worth of mood lighting packed into one tune. It’s got this sultry groove that sticks with you long after the song ends. Then there’s “Cinta Pertama” (translation: First Love), which hits different because, well, who doesn’t have a first love story buried somewhere in their brain? The melody floats between sweet nostalgia and bittersweet longing, making it hard not to hum along even if your Malay vocab only stretches as far as “terima kasih.”
But here’s the kicker—what makes this album stand out isn’t just its genre mashup or Iis Sugianto’s voice, which honestly sounds like honey poured over velvet. It’s how every track feels intentional, like each song was written for a specific moment in life. For instance, “Jauh Disayang” wraps up the album with this distant yet warm vibe, almost like waving goodbye at a train station. You know they’re leaving, but damn, aren’t they beautiful while doing it?
And can we take a second to appreciate the title track, “Azizah”? It’s got this quiet confidence, almost whispering, “Yeah, I’m special, but I don’t need to scream it.” The way the piano dances around her vocals? Pure magic.
Honestly, listening to this album feels like rediscovering something precious tucked away in your grandma’s attic. It’s not flashy or loud—it doesn’t need to be—but man, does it leave a mark. If anything, Azizah reminds us that music doesn’t always need to reinvent the wheel; sometimes, it just needs to remind us why we fell in love with turning it in the first place.
P.S. Fun fact—you won’t find many albums from ‘91 still holding up like this. Maybe it’s the jazz-pop combo, maybe it’s Iis herself, or maybe…just maybe…it’s the universe reminding us that great art never really fades. Now go listen to it before someone else tells you to!
