#SHOWBIZ: Insomniacks drops debut album after 11 years

POP-ROCK outfit Insomniacks are celebrating a monumental milestone in their career with the release of their debut album, 'Kami Insomniacks', whicih drops today.

Marking nearly 11 years in the Malaysian music scene, the 12-track record delves into themes of love, friendship, family, adventure and personal growth.

It also features star-studded collaborations with local singers and songwriters, including Aziz Harun, XONE, Hael Husaini and Irfan Haris.

Reflecting on their journey, the band shared, "This album is deeply meaningful to us because after almost 11 years of creating music together, we are finally able to share our very first album.

"It encapsulates our journey, experiences and everything we have learnt along the way."

The group noted that their personal and collective experiences have matured their songwriting, inspiring them to try fresh musical approaches.

They hope the record showcases a new dimension to their sound while remaining true to the signature style their fans love.

This milestone follows a string of major achievements, including sold-out 'Echoes of a Dream' concerts in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore last year, winning Video Muzik Tergempak at the Gempak Most Wanted Awards 2024 for 'Belum Mulai' (featuring Nabila Taqiyyah), and being named Most Streamed Domestic Artist last year.

In the run-up to the launch, Insomniacks embarked on a three-city pre-album tour, giving fans an exclusive preview through intimate live acoustic performances.

The tour kicked off at Loft29 in George Town, Penang, on Sept 19, drawing roughly 300 fans. During their 13-song set, the group performed six tracks from the upcoming album, including two unreleased tracks.

Guitarist Danial admitted the band felt a touch nervous as it had been a while since they last performed a full acoustic set.

But, he added, the warm response from the audience made it a deeply rewarding experience.

The second leg, at Embrace Hall Music & Art Centre in Skudai, Johor Bahru, on Oct 3, saw another full house of over 300 fans.

The band was thrilled to hear the crowd singing along to new tracks, which had been made available early to members on their fan site, insomniacks.world.

The tour will culminate in a major showcase at Odeon KL tomorrow (Oct 31), just a day after 'Kami Insomniacks' nationwide release.

The band, also consisting of lead vocalist Iqie and bassist Iskandar, plans to perform a 14-song setlist featuring all 12 tracks from the new album alongside selected fan favourites from their back catalogue.

Expecting an audience of 1,500, the finale promises to be a grand celebration for both long-time followers and new listeners alike.

"KL is where we started, so every time we perform in front of the fans here, it feels truly special. To wrap up the tour on home ground makes the experience all the more meaningful," the group said.