SINGER Ara Johari says her upcoming single will be “even more painful” than her hit ‘Menjaga Jodoh Orang Lain’ (MJOL), which catapulted her to fame last year.
Written by Indonesian composer Ilham Baso, the ballad has surpassed 20 million YouTube views, making it one of the defining songs of Ara’s career since rising to prominence through Akademi Fantasia Season 13 (AF13).
However, the 28-year-old admits the success of MJOL has raised expectations for her next release.
Ara revealed that her new single was ready and set for release in midNovember.
Although she had yet to name the composer, she hinted that it would explore heartbreak once again — only deeper. “InsyaAllah, if all goes well, the new single will be launched in midNovember,” she said during the Malaysian screening of Garin Nugroho’s Indonesian film ‘Siapa Dia’.
“It’s still about heartbreak, but this time, it’s even more painful than ‘Menjaga Jodoh Orang Lain’.”
Ara, whose full name is Nurfarrah Izzatie Johari, also lent her vocals to the Malaysian version of the film’s soundtrack, ‘Cinta Terhebat’.
She said she was honoured to be invited to record the song in Jakarta by project executive producer Faizal Lubis, with the session completed in just one day.
“It was my first time recording for an Indonesian film. The experience was meaningful and exciting — I see it as a blessing and a chance to grow my career across borders,” she said.
‘Siapa Dia’ stars Nicholas Saputra as Layar, a young filmmaker searching for inspiration. Returning to his ancestral home, he discovers a bag of old love letters that reveal stories spanning generations.
The film opened in Malaysian cinemas on October 16, drawing praise for its poetic and emotional storytelling — themes that mirror the heartfelt essence of Ara’s own music.
