Efek Rumah Kaca is an Indonesian indie rock band, formed in 2001. They have… Read Full Bio ↴Efek Rumah Kaca is an Indonesian indie rock band, formed in 2001. They have released four albums, Efek Rumah Kaca (2007), Kamar Gelap (2008), Sinestesia (2015), and Rimpang (2023). The members are Cholil on vocal and guitar, Adrian on bass and Akbar on drums. They are based in Jakarta

The band formed in 2001 with five members, but in 2003 became a trio. The band's name at first was Hush, then Superego. They finally chose the name Efek Rumah Kaca after the release of their first album in 2007.

They have said that music is their lives; what has happened in their lives is reflected in their music. They also have been described as a pop band with social and political messages in their lyrics. Their music is influenced by variety of music genres, including swing, jazz, rock, and a cappella.

In 2007, they released Efek Rumah Kaca and the album sold more than 5,000 copies. Two singles of this album are "Di Udara" (English: On Air) which tells the death of Munir Said Thalib and "Cinta Melulu" (English: Always Love) as a criticism of the increasing prevalence of insipid love songs in Indonesia.

In 2008, they released their second album Kamar Gelap (English: Dark Room). Among the tracks from this album are "Jangan Bakar Buku" (English: Don't Burn Books), "Kenakalan Remaja di Era Informatika" (English: Teenage Mischief in the Information Era) and "Mosi Tidak Percaya" (English: Motion of Distrust).

They will release their third album in September 2011; they have said that it will not be a "friendly" album.

In May 2010, they founded a label, Jangan Marah Records (English: Don't Be Angry Records), hoping to accommodate creative bands that are not accepted by major labels.

bukan lawan jenis
Efek Rumah Kaca Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Aku bertemu kamu dalam gelap
Aku menuntunmu menuju terang
Menuju terang dari gelap malam
Kamu simpan gambarku dalam hati
Dalam mimpi, dan di dalam hati
Dalam mimpi, dan di dalam hati
Aku takut kamu suka pada diriku
Karna memang aku bukan lawan jenismu

Kita bertemu muka lagi
Hanya menatap tanpa bahasa
Tanpa isyarat memendam tanya
Masihkah ku di dalam mimpimu?
Aku takut kamu suka pada diriku
Karna memang aku bukan lawan jenismu

Maaf aku pernah mengisi relung hatimu
Karna memang aku bukan lawan jenismu

Overall Meaning

The song "Bukan Lawan Jenis" by Efek Rumah Kaca centers around the theme of unrequited love between two individuals who are not suited for each other. The first stanza talks about the singer meeting the object of their affection in a dark and uncertain place. They guide them towards the light and away from the darkness, implying that the singer provides comfort and support to this person. However, the object of their affection simply keeps a mental image of the singer within their heart and their dreams. Although it is clear that the two have feelings for each other, the singer is afraid that the other person may like them, and yet cannot reciprocate because they are not suited for each other, highlighting the societal expectation of heterosexual norms.

In the second stanza, the singer meets their love interest again but this time, their interaction is non-verbal, and they simply gaze into each other's eyes, wondering if they are still within each other's thoughts. The singer acknowledges the societal pressure they face, being “not suited” for the object of their affection, who is likely of a different gender identity than them. Moreover, they apologize for being in the object of their affection's heart and thus, creating unrequited emotions towards them. The song, therefore, explores the complexities and pain of unrequited love.

Line by Line Meaning

Aku bertemu kamu dalam gelap
I met you in the dark

Aku menuntunmu menuju terang
I led you to the light

Menuju terang dari gelap malam
Towards the light from the dark night

Kamu simpan gambarku dalam hati
You keep my picture in your heart

Dalam mimpi, dan di dalam hati
In dreams, and in the heart

Aku takut kamu suka pada diriku
I'm afraid you like me

Karna memang aku bukan lawan jenismu
Because I'm not your opposite gender

Kita bertemu muka lagi
We meet face to face again

Hanya menatap tanpa bahasa
Just looking without words

Tanpa isyarat memendam tanya
Without signaling hidden questions

Masihkah ku di dalam mimpimu?
Am I still in your dream?