The Times ... they are a-changin'

There was a time in the good ol’ 1960s where it’s considered the norm for bands to come out with a new album every year. And approximately a year after the release of The Times’ 2nd album, the boys have come out with yet another album. Not exactly a common practice nowadays. Is this a sort of throwback to the 60s? “We’ve always had this idea to make an album every year ever since we first conceived the band”, frontman Naza answered. “Doing music full time also means that we need to have something to do, right?”

So, the change of label from Clockwork Records (one of Malaysia’s largest indie labels) to the newly formed Gizmo Records doesn’t have anything to do with it? “No. It’s just something we decided long ago, that we want to be known as a prolific band. Keeping songs for too long can’t be a good thing, and even as we speak we’re thinking of doing another release in the next few months, an EP maybe, this time with English songs”, answered Naza.

Why switch to an upstart indie label, when surely there are majors or even bigger indies interested? “Gizmo offered us the best deal. Even better than the major labels that approached us”, said Naza. “They gave us a very good budget, and a deal that doesn’t tie us down for a period that we’re not comfortable with. Plus, being their first baby means that they will pay more attention to us and put in more effort for us, which is not something we’ll get at a big indie or a major label.”

Their 3rd album, snappily titled Modern Minimalis Glamour, is a spunky collection of Britpop influenced tunes, sung in Malay, with a variety of influences ranging from New Order to Oasis to Primal Scream and even The Coral. “What I’m concerned about is to have variety in the album. Instead of the whole album influenced by just one or two bands, why not make each song different from the other in terms of influence and sound”, explained Naza.

Despite the varied list of Britpop influences, this 3rd album seems to be The Times’ most commercial to date. With the Malaysian indie wave currently sweeping up the nation, is this more commercial slant intentional? “Being commercial has never been foremost on our minds! We just wanted to make something different from our 1st and 2nd albums. Of course I’ve always believed in a good hook or melody. Plus I’ve never wanted our music to reach just a certain section of the public or just a little niche. We’re not elitists. We make music for the masses.”

This new album also possesses a certain swagger that’s usually found on debut albums, not on 3rd albums. Why is that so? “It’s a cliché to say this, but this album really does feel like a debut album to us. It’s certainly our best album to date.” That is, until I interview you for your next album, isn’t it? “Haha, true”, laughed Naza.

Words Aidil Photo Shermen