For those who have followed Astral Angels since they first formed in 2021 and later prolifically released full-length albums, they’d notice that the collective sounds has been growing into their current sound since their debut ASTRAL ANGELS DROP 3.0. 

Those menacing, deafening beats, paired with bedlam lyrics, seemingly made for those whose only goal towards human annihilation is to party, aptly made its way into PEKAAK’s DNA, their latest full-length album. (Pekak is a Malay word for “deaf,” spelled as PEKAAK, a stylistic choice carried throughout the album tracklist, where every A is spelled twice. So yes, you are seeing double.)

This album, surely their best yet, explores and enhances these sonics into a more concrete identity. We asked them 10 questions about the album that you need to know:

It’s been five years since the band started. How does it feel to reach this milestone? Did you ever think you’d make it this far together?

Honestly, I think we were all pretty confident that we’d stick together for a long time. We first got to know each other through our visual artist, afxtik, who started an Instagram group chat with 5haf, Ceeq and Nuzzi. This was around the lockdown era during COVID, so the bond we built during that time really meant a lot to us. I think that foundation is a big part of why we’re still here five years later.

When did you start working on PEKAAK, and when did you know the album was finally finished?

We actually started planning the vision and vibe of the album in late 2025. Over the next couple of months, our producers August Fear, Irys, hellb3nt, and nuzzi started working on demo beats while we were still deciding on which direction we wanted to take the album.

Eventually, we decided to go for a more electronic sound. We really reminisced about our earlier days when we used to be party/raver boys, so we felt like it was time to go back to our roots and re-explore the sound we loved.

We recorded most of the songs at an Airbnb in SS15, with a couple of tracks recorded at Jupiter Station (shoutout Juno!) Our producers were mixing and mastering the tracks every day until we all collectively felt like the album was finally complete. The album only finished mastering 3 days before release!

Why did you choose the name PEKAAK for the album?

We were all listening to the tracks in the studio and we originally wanted to call it “RETAAK” as in cracking windows or walls with sound. But we eventually landed on “PEKAAK”.

The album was just really loud and unrelenting to your senses. But we just love it. Dengar sampai PEKAAK. Ignorance, stupidity, absurdity. Deafening. PEKAAK.

What makes PEKAAK different from your previous releases?

It’s definitely our most polished and refined album, both direction-wise and sonically. We really wanted to make an album that feels cohesive and complete, with no filler tracks. We tried to stick mainly to electronic sounds, but we also wanted to sneak in some new things we’ve been experimenting with.

August Fear and Ceeq handled a lot of the creative direction, from the sound to the marketing, so they played a big part in shaping the overall identity of PEKAAK.

Did you try anything new while making this album, whether in the songwriting, production, or sound?

We started the project with one rule: “NO TRAP BEATS.” We were semi-successful, but the one trap song was so “gas” that we had to include it.

The direction we chose instead was to reapproach the way we made music in our early days, but in a supercharged version. Atmospheric, glitchy rave music. Crazier, stupider, but still polished.

Production always came first, but a lot of what we were producing was way too crazy to record on. Sometimes we just said fuck it and did it anyway, and it turned out fire.

A lot of the intent behind our music comes from having fun and challenging ourselves to rap or sing over anything. With PEKAAK, we decided to embrace the craziest, most bedot moments and just run with them.

Which song took the longest or was the hardest to finish?

The longest song to finish was probably “LAPAAR FESYEN.” We have this term, “bedot,” which basically means clowny or unserious. We tend to be pretty bedot and just stick with it because that’s our swag.

The hardest part was staying true to that while still making it a good, listenable song. There was a lot of back and forth with Irys and Cyndaquil to finish the track and give it that polished bedot flair.

What’s one memorable story from the studio while making PEKAAK?

Probably that one day at the AirBnb when everyone ordered and ate ayam gepuk. A grab pulled up with ayam gepuk. Afotik and ceeq pulled up with ayam gepuk. Personally I’m team Artisan.

What was your favourite part of making this album?

Being around the bros. It’s really hard for all of us to be together, so we really appreciate the time we get. We have members like Nuzzi in Miri and hellb3nt in Kedah, so getting everyone together is definitely an obstacle. It’s always nice to catch up in person, make music, or just play games together.

Can you tell us the story behind the album cover?

The album cover art is an abstract representation of the journey towards absurdity. We use braille dots and circles as a motif, with “deafness” representing the absurd, the loss of sense, and an acceptance of mindlessness.

And pink is cute, so we went with pink for everything.

What’s the best way or place to listen to PEKAAK for the first time?

3AM. Sitting in your car. Speakers blasting. Windows down. Enjoy the BAASS. #PEKAAK.