Heals consists of Alyuadi Febryansyah (lead vocals & rhythm guitar), Reza Arinal (backing vocals & lead guitar), Octavia Variana (backing vocals & bass), and Adi Reza (drums). They formed in late 2013 when they—previously active in grindcore, metal, and punk bands—came together to explore shoegaze and nu-gaze influences. Their name reflects a desire “to heal” through music and revive Bandung’s fading shoegaze scene. Each member brought a distinct set of influences, ranging from the grunge energy of Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, and the romantic angst of Silverchair, to the atmospheric textures of My Vitriol, Amusement Parks on Fire, and Cocteau Twins. They also drew from modern post-punk and noise acts like Whirr and Anne, as well as the raw intensity of The Smashing Pumpkins. This diverse palette gives Heals’ music a richer emotional and sonic depth, setting them apart from more conventional shoegaze offerings.
In 2014 they released their debut single “Void”, inspired by sci-fi themes and introspective solitude. Madah Bakti described it as a “solid and enjoyable” four-and-a-half-minute track that invoked the teenage angst of Bandung’s youth, calling it an anthem for modern restlessness. He also noted that the release caught the attention of FFWD Records. This was followed by cassette singles “Wave” and “Myselves” as part of a Record Store Day 2016, which critics praised for their bold and progressive direction.
Heals released their full-length debut, Spectrum in 2017 under FFWD Records. This album is widely regarded as a modern classic in Indonesia’s shoegaze scene — a raw, shimmering work that solidified their name in the country’s alt music landscape. Tracks like “Monolove” and “False Alarm” garnered particular acclaim.
Immediately after release, Heals embarked on the Spectrum Java–Bali Tour (April–May 2017), playing seven cities including Yogyakarta, Semarang, and Denpasar, to support the album. They also appeared on the international stage at Rocking The Region in Singapore.
In 2018, Heals expanded their visibility by performing at Laneway Festival Singapore, sharing the stage with indie mainstays like Mac DeMarco and shoegaze legends Slowdive. On the domestic front, they also took part in Soundrenaline 2018, one of Indonesia’s largest music festivals.
After touring and playing major shows in 2018, Heals chose to step back. They were retreating to the hills of North Bandung to reflect, isolate, and rediscover their purpose. Away from the noise, they dug deep: confronting uncertainty, questioning the narratives tied to their name, and ultimately finding clarity through time, solitude, and sound.
Heals returned in November 2023 with their second studio album, Emerald. The release channels the introspection of their hiatus into a refined, honest body of work: one that embraces growth without losing the distortion-drenched beauty they’re known for. Pophariini’s Wahyu Acum Nugroho praised the album for its ambition, mixing saxophone (“Oxymoron”), tabla (“Walking Cliché”), and tracks in Indonesian like “Silau” and “Air Emas”.
Following major appearances on both domestic stages like Pestapora and international platforms such as Rocking the Region and solo shows in Malaysia throughout 2024, Heals are now preparing to release the vinyl edition of Emerald in 2025.
