Insomniacks is a Malaysian pop band from Kuala Lumpur. They rose to prominence with the release of their second single, "Pulang", in 2018, which charted on the Malaysian RIM streaming charts for 146 consecutive weeks, and a total of 185 weeks as of July 2022.
The group have cited 5 Seconds of Summer, Fall Out Boy, Day6, Mayday Parade and Paramore as influences.
Career
History and formation The band began as Dan's Band with Danial and Iqbal who were classmates at SMK St. John. Gavin joined as the drummer after being recommended to the duo by Iskandar (a schoolmate of Gavin's at Sekolah Sri KDU, and childhood friend of Iqbal's). Iskandar would later go on to join the band as their bassist.
Insomniacks formed in 2015. In November of that year, the quartet would begin posting videos of themselves performing covers of popular songs on their YouTube channel.
2017–2024: Debut and mainstream success with "Pulang" In 2017, they released their debut single, "Selalu", which was featured as part of the soundtrack of the Astro Ria drama, My Coffee Prince.
In 2018, the group released their second single, "Pulang". The group released the four-episode Pulang WEBisode webseries on their YouTube channel as part of their single promotions. "Pulang" achieved the record for most consecutive weeks on the RIM streaming charts. "Pulang" has been on the RIM Malay singles chart for 185 weeks, as of July 2022.
In 2019, Iqbal co-founded the Klang Valley-based music collective, Distorted (alias Distorted Material), alongside Jessel Phuah (Sino), Ariff Jazmi, Helloluqman of Block J (Jonah), and Nik Qayrel Aiman (Eneyeqay) of the duo Niqie. Iqbal goes by the alias Balo as part of Distorted.
Insomniacks were the fifth most streamed Malaysian artist on Spotify, in 2019.
In 2020, Insomniacks released their third single, "Kepala Batu" ahead of the release of their debut EP of the same name. "Kepala Batu" was composed in collaboration with prolific Malaysian singer-songwriter, Faizal Tahir. The lead single from the EP, "Reminisensi", was the first song Insomniacks wrote as a band.
After four years signed with Sony Music Malaysia, their contract expired in 2020. They consequently signed with Universal Music Malaysia in March 2021. On 14 February 2022, Insomniacks released, "Sempurna". The single peaked at number 1 on the RIM Malay singles streaming chart and number 5 on Billboard's Malaysia Songs chart.
Since March 2022, Gavin has not been participating in "Sempurna" promotions with the band. On 12 June 2022, it was announced in a statement on his and the band's social media that he would be taking an extended hiatus from the band and will not be part of any upcoming projects.
The band released their first single as a trio, "Igauan Malam", on 4 November 2022.
In 2024, Insomniacks released their latest EP titled Teman, featuring eight tracks: Sayang/Cinta, Teman, Cerita Kita (a collaboration with Nabila Razali), Igauan Malam, Belum Mulai (featuring Nabila Taqiyyah), Temani Hati, Dimana, and Sempurna.
2025–Present: Awake and Dreaming In January 2025, Insomniacks released their first English-language extended play, Awake & Dreaming. The track "Awake and Dreaming" holds special significance as it was the very first song the band wrote together ten years earlier, during the formation of the group. The EP focuses on themes of mental health, an issue the band consider to be highly important in today’s society.
Their collaboration with Nabila Taqiyyah, "Belum Mulai", earned them the award for Best Music Video at the 2025 Gempak Most Wanted Awards. To celebrate their 10th anniversary as a band, Insomniacks also announced their first solo concert, which took place on 12 July 2025 at Zepp KL. At the same time, Insomniacks revealed their 2025 single titled ‘’Seperti Dulu’’, dedicated to their loyal fan club who have supported them from the beginning until now.
In 2026, they released their new single, "Bersuara", a duet with Yonnyboii as well as an English-language single titled "Love Me Or Not", which has been played on Hitz FM, Era FM and Hot FM.
2026 also marks the pre-launch of their new album, accompanied by the "Insomniacks Album Tour 2026." This tour aims to usher in a new chapter of their musical journey for fans across three Malaysian cities: Loft29 in Pulau Pinang (September 19, 2026), Embrace Hall (Taman Impian Emas) in Johor Bahru (October 3, 2026) , and Odeon in Kuala Lumpur (October 31, 2026). Futhermore, the Johor Bahru show remarks with recorded exceptional ticket demand and reached a full sell-out on that day. These events offer fans the opportunity to witness live performances and celebrate the launch of the new album.
More than just a standard concert series, the event is designed to strengthen the bond between Insomniacks and their fans. Each tour stop will feature an exclusive listening experience, allowing fans to enjoy songs from the new album ahead of its official release.
Members Adapted from Hitz:
Active Iqie (Syed Mir Iqbal; born 3 June 1997 in Kuala Lumpur) – lead vocals, guitar Iskandar (Wan Arif Iskandar; born 9 September 1997 in Westminster, London) – guitar, bass, vocals Danial (Danial Lee Hashim; born 25 February 1997 in Kuala Lumpur) – rhythm guitar, vocals
Former Gavin (Gavin Wong; born 27 December 1997 in Kuala Lumpur) – drums, cajon, guitar
Discography
Extended plays TitleEP detailsTrack listKepala Batu EP Released: 24 July 2020 Label: Sony Music Malaysia Formats: Digital download, streaming "Here Again" "Reminisensi" "Langgar" "Kepala Batu" "Selalu"Teman EP Released: 8 August 2024 Label: Universal Music Malaysia Formats: Digital download, streaming, CD "Sayang/Cinta "Teman" "Cerita Kita" "Igauan Malam" "Belum Mulai" "Temani Hati" "Dimana" "Sempurna"Awake & Dreaming EP Released: 31 January 2025 Label: Universal Music Malaysia Formats: Digital download, streaming "Anti-Hero (Welcome To My Nightmare)” "Awake & Dreaming” "Overdrive" "Some Days Are Just Better" "Why Don’t U cry?"
Singles
As lead artist + List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album nameTitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbumMYS RIMPeak chart positions on RIM's Top 10 most streamed Malay songs in Malaysia: "Pulang": "Reminisensi": "Sempurna": "Igauan Malam": SongPeak chart positions on Billboards Malaysia Songs: "Sempurna": "Reminisensi" "Selalu"2017– rowspan="3" Kepala Batu EP"Pulang"20181"Kepala Batu"2020–Kepala Batu EP"Reminisensi" 3 3"Pulang"(Reimagined)2021–– rowspan="2" "Reminisensi"(Reimagined)––"Sempurna"202215 Teman EP"Igauan Malam"6–"Lagu Raya"2023"Cerita Kita" (with Nabila Razali) Teman EP"Teman"2024"Belum Mulai" (with Nabila Taqqiyah)"Some Days Are Just Better"Awake & Dreaming EP"Overdrive" (with Killa Driz)2025“Seperti Dulu”"Bersuara" (with Yonnyboii)2026 "Love Me Or Not" "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
As featured artist +List of singles as featured artist, showing year released and album nameTitleYearAlbum"Go There If You Miss Me"(Night Skies & Visions feat. Iqie of Insomniacks) 2020
Music videos TitleYearDirector(s)"Selalu"2017 Thaqif Saadon"Pulang"2018Thaqif Saadon"Pulang" (Piano Version)2019"Kepala Batu"2020Thaqif Saadon"Reminisensi"Lyric video"Sempurna"2022Thaqif Saadon"Igauan Malam"Thaqif Saadon"Lagu Raya"2023Suhana Osman"Cerita Kita"Lily Samsuddin"Teman"2024Dick Wai"Belum Mulai"Idho Aruan"Temani Hati"Idho Aruan"Some Days Are Just Better"Jasmine Wong"Overdrive"2025Jinq Rui"Seperti Dulu" Lyric videoAndrew Lim"Love Me Or Not"2026Fiqzakaria
Awards and nominations YearOrganisationCategoryNominee/nominated workResultRef.2018Anugerah Planet MuzikBest BandInsomniacks201932nd Anugerah Bintang Popular Berita HarianMost Popular Group2020MeleTOP New Artist2025Gempak Most Wanted Awards 2024Muzik Video Tergempak
References