Music is a universal language that has shaped and influenced human experiences for centuries. It transcends mere sounds, it embodies emotion, identity, and connection. Music is all around us, filling every corner of our lives. But what exactly is music? People have attempted to define it in countless ways, often describing it as the connection between sound, emotion, and thought. In other words music isn’t just noise, it’s something we feel and understand on a deeper level.
Even the great philosopher Aristotle admitted that defining music isn’t easy. He once said, “It is not easy to determine the nature of music or why anyone should have a knowledge of it.” And honestly, he had a point. Music isn’t just one thing, it’s different for everyone. It can be a form of expression, a source of comfort, or even a way to make sense of the world.
Maybe music isn’t meant to be pinned down by a single definition. Maybe it’s just meant to be felt. Music has the power to stir deep emotions, strengthen social bonds, and both uplift and challenge our mental well-being, it holds an unparalleled influence over society, weaving its way through our emotions, behaviors, and cultural landscapes.
On one hand, music serves as a source of inspiration, healing, and community bonding. It brings people together, fostering a sense of belonging and providing a means of expression. Music serves as a source of inspiration, healing, and community bonding in many ways. For example, music therapy is used to help patients with anxiety, depression, and even chronic pain by reducing stress and improving mood.
Studies have shown that listening to calming music can lower heart rates and blood pressure, while upbeat music can boost energy and motivation. Music also plays a key role in social movements and cultural identity, bringing people together through shared experiences.
On the other hand, certain types of music and the messages they carry have been linked to negative effects, sometimes reinforcing destructive behaviors or spreading harmful ideas, for example genres like Depressive Suicidal Black Metal (DSBM), can encourage harmful behaviors through its dark and emotional themes.
Depressive Suicidal Black Metal (DSBM) is a subgenre of black metal that often explores dark themes like despair, loneliness, and hopelessness. While some listeners find catharsis or connection through these emotions, the genre’s intense focus on self-harm, suicide, and depression can reinforce negative thoughts and behaviors in vulnerable individuals, making depression seem inescapable.
Many DSBM songs emphasize loneliness and hopelessness, which can worsen a listener’s mental state. Instead of providing relief or healing, the music’s bleak message may leave those struggling with mental health feeling trapped in their pain rather than offering a sense of release or healing.
Personal experience
For me, music isn’t just background noises, it’s a lifeline. Music is something that I and many others truly rely on, not just for entertainment but for emotional support, motivation, and even a sense of identity.
It helps me through difficult times, lifts my mood when I’m feeling low, and gives me an outlet to express emotions that are hard to put into words. Whether it’s blasting loud music when I need the energy or playing soft and calming music to fall asleep, music is always there. It’s not just something that I enjoy, it’s something I need, like a constant source of strength that keeps me going.
I’ll never forget the first time I heard a Norwegian black metal band called “Darkthrone”. From the very first note, I was hooked by their intensity, raw emotion, and powerful energy. It’s a feeling I’m sure many people experience when they discover a genre that speaks to them in a way that draws them in.
It wasn’t just about the sound, it was about the feeling. That moment sparked my fascination with music, transforming it from mere entertainment into something much deeper, an art form with the power to inspire, heal, and even challenge the way we see the world.
Many of you probably have your own musical heroes, those legendary artists who changed the way we view music. Musical artists like The Beatles, Queen, Metallica, The Smiths, Dewa 19, Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Nirvana, Kino, Bon Jovi, Green Day, and My Chemical Romance have all left their mark on musical history.
But for me, two bands stand out as the ones that completely shifted my perspective:
Radiohead
Formed in 1985 in Abingdon, England, the group includes Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Colin Greenwood, Ed O’Brien, and Philip Selway. They first gained fame with Creep (1993), but their real breakthrough came with OK Computer (1997), which redefined alternative rock.
Known for pushing musical boundaries, Radiohead embraced electronic and experimental sounds with Kid A (2000) and continued innovating with albums like In Rainbows (2007), which revolutionized music distribution. Their themes of alienation, technology, and existential dread resonate worldwide, earning them a massive following and over 30 million album sales. Radiohead’s influence goes beyond genres, they’ve inspired countless musicians and changed how people view music as an art form.
Radiohead isn’t just a band, they’re an experience. Their ability to push musical boundaries, experiment with sound, and craft thought-provoking lyrics has made them one of the most influential bands of all time.
They’ve shown that music can be more than just familiar melodies and commercial success it can be art. Their innovation has inspired countless musicians and listeners, including me, to see music as a limitless creative force.
KoЯn
KoЯn, the pioneers of nu-metal, masters of blending heavy riffs with hip-hop grooves, and creators of deeply personal, often haunting lyrics. They didn’t just make music, they redefined what heavy music could be. Their sound was raw, emotional, and completely unique.
Formed in 1993 in Bakersfield, California, the band includes Jonathan Davis, Munky Shaffer, Head Welch, Fieldy Arvizu, and David Silveria. Their debut album (KoЯn, 1994) introduced their eerie, down-tuned guitars and intense vocals, while Follow the Leader (1998) made them global stars.
With over 40 million albums sold, KoЯn redefined heavy music, influencing countless bands. Their lyrics about pain and trauma connected deeply with fans, making them more than just a band, they became a voice for those struggling. Even today, they continue to evolve while staying true to their raw, emotional sound.
Personally, their lead guitarist James “Munky” Shaffer stands out the most to me. His playing is instantly recognisable combining eerie, down-tuned riffs with a thick, almost sludgy tone that gives KoЯn their signature sound.
Munky’s playing isn’t about flashy solos, it’s about atmosphere, texture, and raw emotion. His seven-string guitar work brought a deep, haunting heaviness that set KoЯn apart from other bands of their time. Beyond his unique sound, he’s known for his laid-back personality, creativity, and the huge role he played in shaping nu-metal. He’s the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place, and although I’ve never considered myself to be a “great guitarist”, that’s never been what matters to me.
I play because it’s something I truly connect with, because music is more than just skill or competition. When I first picked up a guitar, I wasn’t confident at all, and even now, I know I have a long way to go. But like many others, that never stopped me from continuing.
It’s no secret that many musicians started playing because they were inspired by someone before them. Whether it’s a legendary band or a single artist, inspiration comes from those who dared to push boundaries. For me, that inspiration came from KoЯn and that’s the power of music, it shapes passions, fuels emotions, and sets people on creative journeys they never expected.
How music shapes the way we think and act
Music has a unique way of weaving itself into our thoughts, emotions, and memories. It reaches deep into the subconscious, stirring feelings we may not even realize we had. The artists who pour their hearts into their music create more than just songs they build connections, allowing us to relate to their struggles, triumphs, and emotions on a personal level.
While science and the mystery of the human brain is still confusing, one thing is clear: music has a powerful impact on us. It shapes our emotions, influences our behaviors, and even helps unlock memories long forgotten. Now I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, we don’t just hear music, we feel it. That’s why it’s used in everything from therapy sessions to spiritual ceremonies, and why we hear it in malls, restaurants, and even while learning our ABCs as kids. Music is woven into the very fabric of our lives.
But how much does music really shape the way we think and behave? Research suggests its influence runs deeper than we might expect. Studies have shown that music can affect mental health, productivity, spending habits, and even how we perceive the world around us. Advances in neuroscience have revealed that when we listen to or play music, nearly every part of the brain lights up in response. Essentially, music has the power to rewire the brain, shaping the way we process information and experience emotions.
One study conducted in 2011 by researchers at the University of Groningen explored music’s effect on perception. Participants were asked to identify happy and sad faces while listening to either upbeat or melancholic music.
The results? People were more likely to see happy faces when listening to cheerful tunes and more likely to perceive sadness when listening to somber music. This suggests that music doesn’t just reflect our emotions, it actively shapes them, influencing how we interpret the world around us.
Music isn’t just entertainment. It’s a force that can lift us up, pull us down, or completely change the way we see things. Whether it’s helping someone heal, sparking creativity, or simply making a tough day a little easier, music is one of the most powerful tools we have.
Music isn’t just something we hear, it’s something we live and feel in every beat. It can lift us up, break us down, bring us together, or push us into rebellion. Whether it’s punk anthems that scream against the system, metal tracks that rip through emotional walls, or indie ballads that hit right in the soul, music has the power to shape who we are.
The impact of music in society
Music has always reflected its time, both shaping and being shaped by the surrounding culture. But how does it actually impact society over the years? How has it evolved over the past century? If we listen closely to the lyrics and sounds of each era, we can hear the story of a generation and see history unfolding through music.
As culture keeps on changing, so does music sometimes at an even faster pace. Every generation brings new sounds that challenge the old ones, often met with criticism from those who grew up with different styles. It’s a pattern we’ve seen for decades. Rock ‘n’ roll, punk, black metal and hip-hop were all once considered rebellious, even scandalous, just like The Beatles were when they first took the stage. Now, those same genres are celebrated, proving how music constantly reshapes itself.
Indonesian music and it’s global influence
Music isn’t just something we listen to , it shapes who we are. In Indonesia, music reflects our culture, connects generations, and even challenges societal norms. From the hypnotic sounds of gamelan and the infectious rhythms of dangdut to the emergence of indie and metal, music is intricately woven into everyday life, shaping national identity.
Traditional sounds like gamelan continue to thrive, but modern genres now dominate the scene. Dangdut remains an iconic staple, while artists like Tulus and Nadin Amizah infuse their music with deep emotions that resonate across generations. Meanwhile, metal bands like Burgerkill and Voice of Baceprot (VOB) are proving that Indonesian rock isn’t just thriving, it’s reaching a global audience.
Indonesian artists are making waves internationally. Rich Brian, NIKI, and Stephanie Poetri have introduced Indonesian music to the world, while VOB is breaking barriers, proving that metal has no limits, especially for women. Watching these artists perform on international stages is proof that Indonesia’s music scene isn’t just growing; it’s demanding the global recognition it deserves.
How music shapes Indonesian Teens
For many Indonesian teens, including myself, music is more than just entertainment, it’s a personal and cultural force. Whether it’s getting lost in indie tracks on a quiet evening, feeding off the energy of metal, or picking up a guitar after school, music serves as both an outlet and an identity.
The rise of social media has made it easier than ever to share music, whether through original compositions, covers, or carefully curated playlists. Artists like Voice of Baceprot (VOB) are breaking stereotypes and proving that Indonesian musicians can gain international recognition. Their success is a testament to how local talent can resonate far beyond our borders.
A recent example of Indonesia’s growing presence in the global music scene was Green Day’s concert in Jakarta. Seeing such an iconic band perform in Indonesia reinforced the idea that music has no boundaries. It also raises an exciting question: how long before an Indonesian act takes the world stage in the same way?
So, in conclusion, music is more than just a pastime, it’s a driving force for creativity, identity, and connection. For many, it’s a lifelong passion that shapes the way they see and engage with the world.
Music isn’t merely something we hear; it is something we live and experience. It carries emotion, identity, and history within every beat, connecting generations, challenging norms, and giving a voice to those who need it most. Whether through the raw intensity of metal, the introspection of alternative rock, or the deep cultural roots of traditional music, it influences how we think, feel, and express ourselves.
From Indonesia’s rising artists to global icons who push the boundaries of sound, one thing remains clear: music is an unstoppable force. It has the power to heal, inspire, and unite, transcending time, language, and culture. No matter how it evolves, its impact will always be felt.
Even if we don’t connect with newer artists or genres, we should appreciate the vast musical landscape we have access to today. In some parts of the world, music, especially as a form of self-expression, is restricted or even banned. How different cultures embrace or suppress music reflects deeper societal values, showing us what is openly discussed and what remains silenced.
Music has always pushed boundaries, sparking new conversations and challenging the world in ways few other things can. As long as music exists, it will continue to evolve, inspire, and leave its mark on history.