Once a fringe format in Indonesia's musical landscape, vinyl records are poised for a revival thanks to a new pressing plant set to transform the country's recording industry.

Historically, vinyl records never achieved mainstream status in Indonesia. Even during the global vinyl boom, they were largely confined to the shelves of the affluent. The nation's relationship with vinyl was marked by fleeting interest and limited availability, underscored by historical anecdotes like the burning of Beatles records in the film Pemberontakan G30S-PKI as a symbol of anti-Western sentiment.

In the early 20th century, vinyl records were imported from Europe and America, catering primarily to Indonesia’s wealthy. Despite a peak in the late 1920s, local production struggled. By the 1930s, record sales plummeted, and local production remained marginal. The establishment of Irama in the 1950s, Indonesia’s first indigenous record label, offered a glimmer of hope. Yet, despite its initial success, Irama's pressing plant struggled through economic hardships and ceased operations by 1967.

The 1970s and 1980s saw a decline in vinyl's prominence as cassette tapes and later compact discs dominated the market. Existing pressing plants, such as Lokananta, closed their doors, and major labels shifted to producing vinyl abroad, often under misleading pretenses.

However, a new chapter is unfolding for vinyl in Indonesia. The recent launch of PHR Pressing, a joint venture between Jakarta-based Elevation Records and PHR, signals a renaissance for the format. This new facility, located in West Jakarta, boasts a daily capacity of 3,000 discs and aims to serve the entire Southeast Asian region.

Since its inception last August, PHR Pressing has already produced over 60 titles. In a nod to its roots, the plant is gearing up to press a remastered edition of the classic 1977 film soundtrack Badai Pasti Berlalu, a testament to the enduring legacy of vinyl records in Indonesian culture.

With its new facility and ambitions to cater to neighboring countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, PHR Pressing might just succeed where others have faltered. This resurgence not only revives a nostalgic format but also opens doors for local artists and labels to thrive in a revived vinyl era.

As the new pressing plant continues to ramp up its operations, there is optimism that vinyl records could finally achieve the mainstream presence they have long been denied.