Depok-The Indonesian horror film Waru presents a distinct emotional tone through the song “Alleen,” written by the band Secret Hideaway, a group of students in the Media Production program of the Universitas Indonesia (UI) Vocational Education Program. The melancholic song has officially become part of the film’s original soundtrack, presenting a layer of deep emotion amidst the gripping atmosphere typical of the horror genre.
Secret Hideaway’s involvement began when one of the film’s producers heard the song “Alleen” and was drawn to the powerful emotional atmosphere it created. Seeing the potential for collaboration, Noufal Adika, keyboardist and part of the band’s management, pitched the project to the film’s production team.
Although not written specifically for the film, the song was then adapted to fit the film’s intended cinematic tone. The challenge arose when they had to ensure the melancholic song remained relevant within the psychological horror narrative. The audience response was positive. The song “Alleen” was seen as enhancing the film’s emotional dimension, conveying the sadness, loss, and regret that underlie the characters’ innermost feelings.
Thematically, “Alleen” tells the story of regret over past decisions that lead to loss and loneliness. The title “Alleen” is taken from the Dutch word for “alone,” representing the emotional state of the main character in the song. “The involvement of ‘Alleen’ in the film Waru was a very meaningful experience for us. Initially, this song was born as a very personal work, but it managed to find its place in the film medium and reach a wider audience. The process of adapting to cinematic needs also taught us important lessons about how music can amplify visual emotions,” said Noufal.
Secret Hideaway is an independent band born from the academic environment of the Media Production study program, Vocational Program, Universitas Indonesia. The band was formed after Fahreza Alif and Kelvin Hananto met during student orientation. Their shared musical tastes brought them together in a musical vision, before the lineup was finally completed by Azeldine, Faizurrahman, and Noufal Adika.
(Photo: Secret Hideaway, UI Vocational student band)
The name Secret Hideaway is imbued with the philosophy of “a secret hiding place,” a safe haven for listeners to feel understood and accepted through music. Secret Hideaway is known for its melancholic rock sound, a blend of emotional piano nuances and the powerful energy of modern rock. Their academic journey has shaped their professional approach to music. Through the development of their academic mini-studio label WIRE, the members understand that the music industry is not just about creativity, but also about management, production, and distribution strategies.
The Head of the Media Production Study Program, Ngurah Rangga Wiwesa, M.I.Kom., Ph.D., expressed his appreciation to the students who have strived to develop their knowledge into works that have penetrated the film market. Rangga said, “We really appreciate the achievements of students who are able to bring their academic work into the professional industry realm. Secret Hideaway’s involvement in the production of the film’s soundtrack demonstrates that the learning ecosystem in Media Production encourages students to adapt to the needs of the creative industry.”
Several Secret Hideaway songs, including “Melukis Obituari,” “First Look,” “Try Again,” and others, are available on various digital music platforms. Over the next year or two, Secret Hideaway aims to consistently release emotional works that can reach a wider audience and strengthen their position in the independent music industry.
