The Cool Girl Records release pushes the pop star into darker hip-hop and R&B territory.
Nadine Lustre turns up the intensity on “Donuts,” her latest single under Cool Girl Records, teaming up with Black Eyed Peas member Apl.de.Ap for a sleek collision of pop, hip-hop, and R&B.
Following the release of “Personal,” “Donuts” takes Lustre in a darker, grittier direction. Narrated by Francis Brew of The Dawn and underscored by haunting choir vocals, the track builds around heavy 808s, dissonant textures, and marching drum patterns that give its futuristic production a sense of urgency.
Lustre delivers a confident mix of rap and melodic vocals, trading the polished pop sheen of “Personal” for a more stripped-down, urban edge. The result retains the candor and attitude that have shaped her music while revealing a sharper side of her artistry.
Apl.de.Ap adds further weight to the track with a commanding Taglish verse. The Pampanga-born rapper draws from Filipino history, invoking Datu Lapu-Lapu while framing the song around themes of agency, ambition, and taking control of one’s destiny.
Written by Lustre, Andric Ivo Empreso, and Jan Roberts Baloloy, “Donuts” was produced by Khalil Atienza, Elijiah Wudz Bitacura, and Isagani Palabyab. The single follows “Personal” as the second release in what appears to be a larger musical chapter for the multi-hyphenate artist.
Lustre previously teased the collaboration in an Instagram post on September 5, calling the experience of working with Apl.de.Ap “a little surreal” and announcing the single’s release.
Nadine Lustre’s “Donuts” is now available worldwide on all major digital music platforms via Cool Girl Records.
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