Bernadya Releases New Album Semoga Hanya di Mimpi, Explores the Theme of Cherophobia

JAKARTA, Jakartaweekly.com—Singer-songwriter Bernadya officially released her second full-length album, Semoga Hanya di Mimpi (Hopefully Only in a Dream), on Wednesday (June 24, 2026). Released through JUNI Records, the album marks Bernadya’s latest solo project following the success of her debut album, Sialnya, Hidup Harus Tetap Berjalan (Unfortunately, Life Must Go On).

Bernadya said the album serves as a reflection of her various fears, particularly those related to love and happiness. The concept emerged from a sense of anxiety that surfaced when life was seemingly calm and stable.

“Semoga Hanya di Mimpi was born from my fear of feeling at peace. To me, peace is a warning sign,” Bernadya said in Jakarta on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

She explained that the phrase Semoga Hanya di Mimpi was discovered and later chosen as the album’s title after she read an article about cherophobia—the fear of happiness due to concerns that something bad may be waiting around the corner.

Unlike her previous album, which was inspired by major life events, the creative process for this project took place during a relatively ordinary period in her life. Yet that sense of normalcy became the source of unease.

“When I should have been able to enjoy the peace and be happy with what I had earned and achieved through my efforts, for some reason I always felt anxious, as if it meant that something big and unwanted was about to happen,” she said.

She eventually translated those feelings into several songs. While writing “Laut yang Tenang” (Calm Sea), Bernadya admitted she initially hesitated to keep lyrics that described various worst-case scenarios, fearing they might be perceived as a prayer. Nevertheless, she decided to move forward with the song.

For the album’s production, Bernadya collaborated with several new creative partners. Enrico Octaviano produced “Sebelum Jadi Panjang” and “Laut yang Tenang,” with additional songwriting contributions from Baskara Putra.

Meanwhile, Dennis Ferdinand worked alongside the band Perunggu on the collaboration “Peluk Aku Sekarang!” (Hug Me Now!), while Vega Antares contributed to “Menyenangkan Mengenalmu” (Nice to Know You).

In addition to the new collaborators, Bernadya reunited with Rendy Pandugo and Petra Sihombing, both of whom had been involved in her previous projects.

Rendy handled several tracks, including “Lawan Waktu dan Jarak” (Against Time and Distance), “Rabun Jauh” (Farsighted), “Tolong Bilang Ini Mimpi” (Please Tell Me This Is a Dream), and “Belum Sempat Kenal” (We Hardly Knew Each Other). Petra Sihombing, meanwhile, produced “Wanita Tak Punya Malu” (A Shameless Woman) and “Kita Buat Menyenangkan” (We Make It Fun).

Bernadya said she had to adapt to the working styles of her new collaborators. According to her, working with a wider range of producers presented a unique challenge during the album’s creative process.

Musically, Semoga Hanya di Mimpi draws inspiration from early-2000s Indonesian music, featuring a blend of organic instrumentation and electronic elements. The idea emerged after Bernadya noticed the positive response to the 2000s-inspired sounds in her song “Untungnya, Hidup Harus Tetap Berjalan” (Fortunately, Life Must Go On).

“While making Semoga Hanya di Mimpi, I also listened a lot to Audy’s album 18,” she said.

Although the album offers a different musical color compared to her EP Terlintas and her debut album, Bernadya believes the project still reflects her musical identity through its soft vocals and lyrics that resonate with everyday experiences.