Then Carlos Releases EP ‘CTRL+N’, A Bold Story of Leaving the Comfort Zone for Old Dreams

Kapanlagi.com - Then Carlos, a newcomer musician previously known through the modeling world, officially opens a new chapter in his career journey by releasing his debut EP titled CTRL+N on June 13, 2025.

Not just a collection of songs, CTRL+N becomes a personal work that invites its listeners to reinterpret the meaning of starting over. The title, taken from the computer shortcut for opening a new page, serves as a strong metaphor for Carlos's decision to return to the music world after pursuing an academic path in information technology.

In his journey towards CTRL+N, Carlos took about six months to complete the entire production process. Starting from the end of December 2024, this EP was released gradually through two singles titled Bad Tattoo and Five More Minutes, before finally being released in its complete form.

1. Emotional Journey

"Actually, from start to end, it expresses our experience of losing someone dear, grieving, and then slowly rebuilding life and having fun with life," said Carlos, explaining the common thread that binds all the songs in this EP.

Consisting of five songs, CTRL+N is arranged with a thematic and emotional approach. This EP opens with the song Promise I’d Call, which was written specifically for Carlos's late father—the figure who first introduced him to music. This song becomes the deepest emotional point in the EP, while also depicting the beginning of Carlos's journey back to his heart's calling. Promise I’d Call seems to be the 'heart' of the entire story he wants to convey.

The emotional journey in this EP then continues through the song Bad Tattoo, a piece with a strong soul and ballad vibe. The following songs like My Bad and Five More Minutes enrich the exploration of themes raised by Carlos, until it finally closes with Wanderlost, a song that invites listeners to keep walking, keep searching, and question the direction of life.

2. A Courage

Then Carlos © Special

For Carlos, CTRL+N is more than just a musical work—it is a form of courage to start over, regardless of how far someone has drifted from their childhood dreams.

"Everyone’s allowed to have their own ctrl + N. Everyone is entitled to have a fresh start, doesn’t matter how old they are, doesn’t matter what they have done that might be different from their childhood dreams. Feel free to always come back to your dreams," emphasized Carlos.

The creative process in working on this EP also became a unique learning experience for Carlos. He admitted to learning a lot about music production, how to deal with writer’s block, and finding a balance between personal idealism and market needs. More than that, he hopes CTRL+N can be a safe space for anyone who feels lost or wants to rediscover their identity.

3. Strengthen the Message of the Songs

The release of this EP is also marked by the launch of the music video My Bad, which can now be watched on Carlos' official YouTube channel. With cinematic and emotional visuals, this video reinforces the message of the songs in the EP. CTRL+N is now available on various digital platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music, bringing a new color to the Indonesian music scene from Carlos, who is now more honest, more personal, and more daring to be himself.

With CTRL+N, Lalu Carlos not only introduces his debut music work but also voices a universal hope: that it is never too late to chase your dreams again. This EP serves as an open invitation for anyone who wants to start over, with a more sincere and hopeful spirit.

(kpl/pur/tdr)