Tulus cover

Tulus

Tulus · 2011

29 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A blend of smooth jazz and pop, Tulus weaves heartfelt melodies with introspective lyrics over laid-back instrumentation.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Sewindu — This track stands out with its romantic narrative, using rich imagery to convey the bittersweet nature of love over a jazzy backdrop.
  • →
    Teman Hidup — A poignant exploration of companionship, this song showcases Tulus's lyrical vulnerability and melodic prowess, resonating deeply with listeners.
  • →
    Jatuh Cinta — With its catchy chorus and relatable theme of falling in love, this track exemplifies Tulus’s ability to blend engaging melodies with heartfelt storytelling.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100
Foothills
Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album blends smooth jazz and pop with heartfelt melodies, though it lacks standout compositions.

What we noticed

  • The first track serves as a brief intro, setting a mellow tone before the tempo picks up with the second track.
  • Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections that allow for improvisation and showcase the musicianship of the ensemble.
  • The album closes with an outro that mirrors the intro, creating a sense of symmetry in its structure.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • laid-back afternoon gatherings
  • intimate moments with friends
  • short bursts of reflection
  • heartfelt melodies for quiet times

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking high-energy tracks
  • prefer lengthy immersive experiences

Where this album fits

Career context
Tulus released his debut album, 'Tulus', in 2011, marking the beginning of his career as a prominent Indonesian singer-songwriter. At this point, he was gaining recognition for his unique style that combined elements of jazz and pop, which would define his musical identity in the years to come.
Stylistic neighbors
Tom Misch· Anderson .Paak· Hiatus Kaiyote

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Sewindu

    The bridge shifts perspective, reflecting on memories tied to a past relationship while expressing longing through metaphorical language.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Merdu Untukmu (intro) 1:10
  • 2 Teman Pesta 2:47
  • 3 Kisah Sebentar 2:54
  • 4 Sewindu 4:00
  • 5 Diorama (studio live) 2:49
  • 6 Tuan Nona Kesepian 3:20
  • 7 Jatuh Cinta 3:55
  • 8 Teman Hidup 3:43
  • 9 Sewindu (rhodes version) 3:49
  • 10 Merdu Untukmu (outro) 1:02

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata