Representing Soft Masculinity: An Analysis of .Feast's “Membangun & Menghancurkan” Discography

Abstract

Digitalization and global cultural shifts have catalyzed a significant transformation in gender representation within popular media. In the Indonesian context, where masculinity is traditionally associated with power, stoicism, and physical dominance, the emergence of soft masculinity presents a radical ideological alternative. This study investigates the representation of soft masculinity in the album “Membangun & Menghancurkan” by the Indonesian rock band .Feast. Using a descriptive qualitative design grounded in Roland Barthes’s semiotic framework, the research analyzes denotative, connotative, and mythical meanings across six selected tracks: "Membangun", "O, Tuan", "Masimarah", "Tarot", "Nina", and "Arteri." The findings reveal that .Feast systematically deconstructs the "Stoic Mask" and "Absent Provider" myths, replacing them with a new masculine identity built upon three dimensions: Tender Charisma, Purity, and Politeness. The lyrical narratives reconstruct the male figure as a humanist and multidimensional individual who embraces emotional vulnerability, intellectual humility, and active nurturing as markers of true strength. This study concludes that the album serves as a critical cultural text that shifts the paradigm of masculinity from vertical dominance toward horizontal equality and emotional transparency. By naturalizing these narratives, .Feast provides a new blueprint for modern masculinity, where dignity is achieved through self-sovereignty and empathy rather than the oppression of others. This research contributes to the discourse on gender representation in rock music and highlights the role of the creative industry in fostering more inclusive social values.