Fazura (album)

The album was supposed to be launched in September 2017 as it is an exclusive album project with famous composers from Malaysia and Indonesia. However, the date had to be shifted to November due to time constraints. It took about five months to complete the whole recording process as Fazura had to struggle in between appearances, shoots and other commitments. "When I’m done with work for the day, at night I head to the studio to record my album," she said during an interview.[1]

Fazura was released on November 2, 2017 by Universal Music Malaysia, with Kenny Ong, the managing director or Universal Music Malaysia and Fazura herself as the executive producers. The album was well-received and she managed to grab a gold award at the launch and recorded her own history when it was sold more than 5,000 units. According to Fazura, it is a success that completely unpredictable and she couldn't help crying because she have always been widely criticized by those who doesn't like her singing. "I did not expect this album to succeed in a short time. Furthermore, the current market conditions are quite challenging. I was overwhelmed and happy when the results of my efforts so far have been reversed. I'm working hard to make this album project even though I'm in a tight schedule," said Fazura during her press conference at the album launch.[2]

The album consists of 9 tracks including 2 bonus tracks, an acoustic version of Sayangi Dirimu which was released as a single previously in 2014 and Hancur Aku, a special collaboration single with Malaysian alternative rock band Estranged, released in 2015. Sayangi Dirimu was her first solo single and released digitally on December 14, 2014 and officially on radio by April 23, 2015, as it was Fazura's initial attempt as a singer. Written by Shah Shamshiri and composed by Damian Mikhail, the song has widely received the warm welcome by her fans and it ranked 4th on the Top Charts as it launches on iTunes.[3] Hancur Aku was written and composed by Richael Gimbang, the vocalist from alternative rock Estranged band, based on his personal experience where he was in a relationship that didn't work out at the end.[4] Cinderella, the duet song of the original soundtrack for the drama series Hero Seorang Cinderella with her co star, Fattah Amin has reached number one spot of the local iTunes chart just after its initial release on iTunes. The song was composed by award-winning singer-songwriter Aizat Amdan, it has beaten other songs from international artistes, such as Shape Of You by Ed Sheeran and Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay in just a day after it was launched on June 3, 2017.[5] Written and composed by Ilyahida also known as Lea Ismail, her band members from The Waklu's, Bangun is a catchy version which has been modified as the new edition compared to the live version in 2015 at her mini showcase, was released together as double singles with Bisa Apa which was recorded in Jakarta in March 2017, written and composed by Indonesian composers, Tantra and Mhala Numata on June 16, 2017[6] and topped the two charts of iTunes Malaysia charts just after an hour they were launched.[7] Followed by a duet single with Ariadinata from Samsons, a vocalist of a pop-rock band from Indonesia titled Cinta Langka which was released as a lyric video on YouTube on November 30, 2017 and garnered more than 100,000 views to date.[8]

The album received platinum award from Universal Music Malaysia, reaching a sales value of more than 200,000 copies combining streaming and units sold globally.[10]

On March 18, 2018, a special showcase for her fans was held at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur and brought by ONEMUSIC, an application that allows fans to get active on social media as well as listen to streamed music. Over 400 fans attended the One Music Live Session showcase and she performed all songs from the album.[11]

Credits adapted from Fazura booklet liner notes.[12]

• Gold Award by Universal Music Malaysia

• Fazura – Official Website