Investigating Vocal Technique and Musical Expression in the Song “Kasih Tak Sampai”: A Comparative Analysis of the Original and Cover Versions
Keywords:
vocal technique, head voice, husky voice, popular music, song reinterpretationAbstract
The phenomenon of cover songs in the digital era has become a significant site of musical reinterpretation, reflecting intergenerational transformations in vocal aesthetics within Indonesian popular music. This study aims to analyze the differences in vocal techniques employed in the song Kasih Tak Sampai between the original version performed by Padi and the cover version performed by Syarla. The analysis focuses on vocal register, resonance, dynamics, articulation, phrasing, and emotional expression. A qualitative descriptive-comparative approach was employed, utilizing audio-visual recordings of both performances as primary data, complemented by academic literature in vocal pedagogy, popular musicology, and music sociology as secondary sources. Data were analyzed through reduction, thematic identification, and comparative assessment based on predetermined vocal technique indicators. The findings reveal substantial differences in vocal approach between the two singers. Fadly, the lead vocalist of Padi, predominantly employs chest voice characterized by strong chest resonance, contrasting dynamics, precise articulation, and an externalized, dramatic mode of emotional expression. In contrast, Syarla adopts a vocal approach centered on head voice and husky vocal timbre, supported by stable dynamics, fluid articulation, and an internalized, reflective style of expression. These differences extend beyond technical variation and reflect broader transformations in Indonesian popular music aesthetics shaped by the platformization of the digital music industry and shifting listening preferences among younger generations. This study contributes to contemporary popular musicology by demonstrating how vocal reinterpretation functions as a cultural practice that responds to changes in the global music industry ecosystem. Furthermore, it highlights the role of vocal technique as an indicator of broader aesthetic and generational shifts within contemporary popular music culture.
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