“Lanonana” by Malagasy producer Antsa Arimalala (Encoder Experiment) merges synthwave’s retro-futuristic pulse with the soul of Madagascar. Part of his. upcoming album SPIRITS, the track weaves field recordings of ceremonies, chants, and natural ambience into shimmering electronic textures, mirroring the cultural weight of its namesake. In Malagasy tradition, Lanonana signifies sacred ceremonies that bind communities to ancestors and land—a theme Antsa channels through hypnotic synths and organic rhythms.
Antsa’s journey as Encoder Experiment began in 2020 amid Madagascar’s COVID lockdown, where he channeled isolation into the nostalgic synthwave EP Lockdown Sounds. This evolved into 2022’s cinematic Motion, cementing his electronic roots. By 2023, he partnered with collective BSKMG for ORIGINS, fusing Vohimana Reserve’s forest soundscapes with beats for an EP and documentary.
Now, Antsa and BSKMG has embarked on their SPIRITS expedition across southern Madagascar—from Ambositra’s artisan villages to Toliara’s arid landscapes—to collaborate with local communities. The project will craft a new album and film spotlighting ancestral traditions, environmental ties, and untold stories, deepening his fusion of sound and cultural legacy.
Explore Encoder Experiment’s work HERE