Category: Music

The star-studded tune emphasizes the importance of faith during trying times!

Alt-rock icon Barbie Almalbis, Rivermaya lead singer/drummer Mark Escueta, Dicta License vocalist Pochoy Labog, and fast-rising singer-songwriter/producer Jarlo Bâse have collaborated on a soulful track that unfolds with tenderness and power in equal measure.

Released under WATERWALK RECORDS, “PIRASO” tackles the journey of healing and spirituality amidst the crippling fear of uncertainty that all four artists have personally experienced in recent years. The song not only articulates the collective frustrations and sacrifices that people have to go through in order to cope with depression caused by the pandemic but also reveals how faith has become a source of comfort and strength during trying times.

According to Almalbis, producer-extraordinaire Jungee Marcelo was responsible for bringing them together. She immediately said yes after finding out about the other musicians involved in the project and what the music stands for.

“I have always been a fan of Mark and Pochoy, and I was also looking forward to working with Jarlo, because Mr. Jungee really looked up to him as a young producer,” the Silaw hitmaker admits. “We started writing the song virtually, just exchanging ideas via a chat group, then eventually met up in person to tie everything together.”

Despite their busy schedules, the four powerhouse acts managed to squeeze in time to record the song before the year ended. Almalbis reveals that the entire team behind “PIRASO” felt a strong sense of achievement with how the final product turned out. “On the day we finished writing the song, we made a makeshift vocal booth in our house, which turned out to be a great sounding room for vocals. Pochoy then went home to do the bass track. A few days later, we hung out at Mark’s studio to finalize the drum parts. I did a bit more guitar work at home, and Jarlo did the rest of the production, recording his vocals and adding piano, samples, and synths in his own place.”

Dicta License’s Pochoy Labog admits that the collaboration was out of his comfort zone, but the experience, according to him, was an absolute joy. “We flowed so well and nothing was forced. Writing the lyrics was like being in a discipleship group or household –we plugged in words while sharing life experiences and our own walks with God. It was one of the most profound moments in my musical journey.”

Surprisingly, the all-star collaboration turned out to be a very moving piece that raises the bar for all the musicians involved in terms of songwriting and artistry. Bâse, in particular, was grateful and honored to be part of this massive endeavor that brought a different kind creative synergy and excitement.

“I’ve always looked up to Sir Jungee and everyone at WATERWALK/Sony Music for their love and excellence in making music,” says the young singer-songwriter. “I hope people would enjoy and be blessed with the song we all made together.”

“PIRASO” is also Mark Escueta’s first project with WATERWALK RECORDS. He is thankful to be part of a music project that aims to inspire people from all walks of life. “It’s an honor and a blessing to be part of this project and I know that WATERWALK RECORDS will continue to touch so many lives in the years to come.”

“PIRASO” is out now on all digital music platforms via WATERWALK RECORDS.

Miley Cyrus accompanies “Flowers” with a music video —a powerful visual expression of self-empowerment!

Multi-platinum-selling recording artist, songwriter, and trailblazer Miley Cyrus has released “Flowers” the first single from her forthcoming eighth studio album Endless Summer Vacation, available globally on March 10th. The track finds Miley opining on self-love and courage, noting that “Started to cry / But then I remembered / I can buy myself flowers / Write my name in the sand” before ultimately and powerfully declaring “I can love me better than you can.”

The themes of the song and the buzz surrounding the music led fans to declare that 2023 is the year of Miley.

Unsurprisingly, Miley has delivered fans a fashion-forward video for “Flowers.” The video was created by Miley and directed by Jacob Bixenman, with Stephen Galloway serving as the creative movement director.

There have been many visuals for Endless Summer Vacation; Miley first announced the album with a powerful trailer. The album cover, photographed by Brianna Capozzi and fully executed by Miley without visual effects, was also revealed. Recorded in Los Angeles and produced with Kid Harpoon, Greg Kurstin, Mike WiLL Made-It, and Tyler Johnson, Miley describes the album as her love letter to LA.

Endless Summer Vacation will be available globally both digitally and at physical retailers. Fans can pre-order multiple physical configurations on shop.mileycyrus.com. There is also a special all-white vinyl, available only at Target. Fans can also pre-save the album on streaming services here.

His new single is accompanied by a music video starring social media influencer Albert Nicolas and up-and-coming TV/film actress Roxie Smith!

Filipino singer-songwriter Jason Marvin starts 2023 on a bright note with the release of his new single “Oras.”

Brimming with lush, gentle arrangements and laid-back vocals, the piano-driven ballad finds the Cornerstone Entertainment artist traveling back in time in an attempt to amend a romantic relationship. It also touches on the idea of admitting one’s mistakes and using them as motivation to become a better person.

To quote Jason Marvin, “Mistakes will be made and regrets will always be a part of life, but we must learn to live with it, grow stronger, and continue singing the songs that we’re meant to sing.”

According to the singer-songwriter behind Gain, “Oras” is the first song that he wrote where the music video concept came first. “I imagined this scene where a guy who can time travel keeps on failing in his relationship. No matter what he does, even if he tries a hundred times, if it’s not meant to be, it’s not meant to be.”

Directed by King Bingcang and written by Jason himself, the music video conveys the essence of the lyrics in a straightforward manner. It stars social media influencer Albert Nicolas as a time traveler trying to win back the love of his life, and up-and-coming actress Roxie Smith, who is repeatedly pursued in the story.

“I still can’t believe we were able to shoot everything in one day,” says the Manila-based producer and singer-songwriter. “Everyone was just so light and fun to work with. Albert’s humor makes everyone forget that they’re tired, while Miss Roxie’s positive mood from start to finish was very contagious.”

“Oras” is written and produced by Jason himself and co-arranged by Nick Lazaro, a prolific producer who has worked with a diverse crop of musicians ranging from alternative rock outfit Oh, Flamingo! to hyper-pop soloist Pikoy.

“Arranged by me and Nick Lazaro, I wanted to achieve this nostalgic old-sounding piano (like the ones in your lola’s old house),” the folk-pop singer-songwriter/producer adds. “Nick came in and put on the drums, bass guitar, and choir voices that made it all sound magical.”

Jason Marvin’s “Oras” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Watch the music video below:

ATEEZ is off to a strong start this year with their new EP!

South Korean boyband ATEEZ continues to dominate several global music charts with the release of their new EP, ‘SPIN OFF : FROM THE WITNESS’. The eight-member pop group’s latest release debuted at No. 1 on iTunes in several major music markets worldwide, including South Korea, USA, Italy, Sweden, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brazil, and more.

The pirate kings of the K-pop high seas are starting the year right with one of the most exciting new ‘single albums’ from Sony Music Entertainment Korea so far, taking comprehensive musical storytelling one step further with the release of a spin-off that recounts their tales through a third-person witness account. In this extended universe, a new perspective is explored, with more questions than answers given through the cinematic trailers and powerful delivery of their new tracks.

‘SPIN OFF : FROM THE WITNESS’ contains five tracks – featuring ‘HALAZIA’ as the title song. The title track delivers the message of finding hope in the darkness. It’s followed by three remix tracks of previously released popular songs, and makes a grand closure with ‘Outro : Blue Bird’.

True to ATEEZ style, the released preview video labeled as the prologue garnered over 2 million views on YouTube (at the time of writing) with comments noting the grandiose themes and Hollywood movie-like quality.

This EP comes after the announcement of the European leg of the ‘THE FELLOWSHIP : BREAK THE WALL’ tour, already making a statement with dates added due to high demand. The octet will be going on tour to Europe in seven cities for nine shows starting in Amsterdam on February 10 and closing the tour in Paris on March 8.

From the success of their North American ‘THE FELLOWSHIP : BREAK THE WALL’ tour to reaching new career peaks with their previously released EP ‘THE WORLD EP.1 : MOVEMENT’ debuting at #3 on the Billboard 200, ‘SPIN OFF : FROM THE WITNESS’ is set to mark an awe-inspiring ending to 2022 that leads to an impressive 2023.

LISTEN TO SPIN OFF : FROM THE WITNESS HERE
‘SPIN OFF : FROM THE WITNESS’ TRACK LIST

HALAZIA
WIN (June One of Glen Check Remix)
I’m The One (Eden-ary Remix)
Take Me Home (IDIOTAPE Remix)
Outro : Blue Bird

The Itchyworms, Johnoy Danao, and Cheats are also joining the multi-awarded hitmaker to celebrate the enduring legacy of the iconic debut album.

Filipino alternative rock icon Ebe Dancel celebrates the enduring legacy of Sugarfree’s Sa Wakas with an experiential treat that brings to mind the colorful vibe of UP Fair and the intimacy of a packed, outdoor event.

SA WAKAS: 20th Anniversary Celebration marks another milestone for the multi-awarded singer-songwriter as he brings to life the classic anthems that define an entire generation.

The highly anticipated show will take place at 123 Block, Mandala Park on January 28, 2022 (Saturday), from 4:30 pm onwards, and feature a full-length, all-Sugafree set by Ebe Dancel, with the special participation of Mitch Singson, as well as guest performances by Cheats, Johnoy Danao, The Itchyworms and more.

To make the celebration more special and personal, important personalities who were part of making Sa Wakas will also be gracing the event, either as performers or as special guests.

Not only will there be live music, but Mandala Park will also be turned into an amusement venue with carnival games and rides, arts and crafts booths, record and book stores, food stands, and other immersive activities.

“At the core of Sa Wakas is nostalgia shaped by bittersweet memories and adolescent discoveries,” says Ian Urrutia, PR and Marketing Director of GNN Entertainment Productions. “We want to honor the impact of Sugarfree’s debut album by reliving the simple joys of going to college or university fairs with friends, family, and loved ones. Looking back doesn’t have to be getting stuck in the past. Sometimes, it’s okay to experience the old times with fondness and a different perspective as it gives new meaning to these memories. We’re finding means not to reimagine Sa Wakas, but to celebrate it: a record that feels like a tight embrace at the end of the dark days.”

Backspacer Records, one of the co-presenters of the show, also shared their excitement in mounting a celebration of this caliber. “It has always been our aim at Backspacer Records to help channel music from the past into the present through our vinyl record releases. In the past year, we have successfully produced and released Ebe Dancel’s Bawat Daan and Habangbuhay albums on vinyl. And now, for the first time, we get to bring you a live music experience with the Sa Wakas 20th Anniversary show. As Ebe Dancel’s fans since his Sugarfree days, this is such a treat for us: to mark this important milestone with a throwback celebration, complete with a fun and laid-back college fair vibe. This night will definitely be a nostalgia trip, full of reminiscing while singing along to songs that have become the soundtracks of our youth.”

Special merch will be sold exclusively at the venue, and select Ebe Dancel albums and other important local/foreign records will be available via Backspacer Records.

SA WAKAS: 20th Anniversary Celebration is presented by GNN Entertainment Productions and Backspacer Records, in partnership with 123 Block and Balcony Entertainment.

Tickets to SA WAKAS: 20th Anniversary Celebration are available for purchase starting January 3 (Tuesday) at 6 pm via bit.ly/sawakas20.

Ticket prices are as follows:

• Regular: ₱1,300.00
• VIP with M&G and signed poster: ₱1,800.00
• VIP with a vinyl bundle and M&G (limited): available at Backspacer Records’ official website

More Sony Music Philippines artists join the Eheads nostalgia party with their fresh take on “Ang Huling El Bimbo” and “Superproxy”!

Following the positive reviews that SB19 and NOBITA earned for their unique spin on The Eraserheads’ beloved classics, more OPM acts have come together to pay tribute to the country’s biggest and most influential band of all time.

SEE ALSO: SB19 and NOBITA put their own spin on The Eraserheads’ iconic anthems

Multi-hyphenate pop soloist Ace Banzuelo reinterprets “Ang Huling El Bimbo” with intimate, soul-crushing details. Transforming the epic anthem into a spacey jam, the young hitmaker peels back the layers of the original with his brooding, bedroom-pop styling. He imprints his own identity on the material while valuing the lyrical profundity and awe-inspiring bigness of the original.

As Banzuelo puts it, “It’s great that I’m allowed to give it the sound and approach that I want. A lot of the original was kept, but a lot was taken away. This project became meaningful to me throughout the process because I was producing it as if I had written the song.”

Alt-rock newcomers of Mercury and Any Name’s Okay vocalist Sof Abrogar join young hip-hop virtuoso Alex Bruce in reinterpreting “Superproxy,” a cross-genre smash originally performed by The Eraserheads and legendary rap icon Francis M. The newly formed ensemble breathed new life into the timeless tune with a more jagged sonic direction that sounds both retro and futuristic at the same time.

“It was honestly an honor for us to be able to cover an Eheads song and be able to incorporate our own flavor into it,” says of Mercury in a collective statement. “I think we pretty much did our own thing but left the structures and melody of the song. It was a pretty tricky song to work on given the genre, but we’re pretty happy with how it came out nonetheless.”

Alex Bruce was grateful to be part of this project and considers the song one of her go-to jams. “This song is a masterpiece. It’s iconic. I wanted to add a little spice, a little flavor, and a bit of contemporary oomph to it. Our reworked version is a fusion of old school and new school.”

Growing up in a big family with a collective love and fascination for the ‘80s and ‘90s Pinoy rock, Any Name’s Okay lead vocalist Sof was initially intimidated by the project but took the challenge to heart in hopes of fulfilling her childhood dream. “Besides what I mentioned earlier about my family, I take particular inspiration from The Eraserheads’ lyricism in Tagalog or Filipino. Even in my own music career with ANO, I try to use Filipino in our songs as much as I can, and I really think the Eraserheads use the language in all its richness and strength. I also love how they are unapologetic in writing about our culture, whether that’s as shallow as UP life or as large as national politics. The band inspires me to really root my own music in my own experiences and in empathy for others,” she said.

Apart from the revamped tracks by some of today’s biggest hitmakers, five of The Eraserheads’ legendary albums were re-released in full 360-degree spatial sound to give listeners a new immersive music experience. These influential records include Ultraelectromagneticpop!, The 25th Anniversary Remastered Edition, Circus (25th Anniversary Remastered), Cutterpillow, Fruitcake, and Sticker Happy.

Ace Banzuelo’s “Ang Huling El Bimbo” and of Mercury x Sof Abrogar x Alex Bruce’s “Superproxy” are out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

To celebrate The Eraserheads’ reunion concert last night, Sony Music Philippines artists released their revamped versions of “Christmas Party” and “Magasin”

To commemorate the success of The Eraserheads’ reunion concert last night, top OPM acts such as SB19 and NOBITA have put their own unique spin on the supergroup’s beloved classics.

Released today under Sony Music Entertainment, the revamped versions honor the timeless appeal of Eheads’ music while giving it a more contemporary flavor that resonates with the streaming audience.
P-Pop Kings SB19 captures the spirit of the holidays with their own take on “Christmas Party,” a song off The Eraserheads’ fourth studio album, Fruitcake. Turning the original into a festive banger, the five-member boyband incorporates elements of dance-pop, R&B/hip-hop, and modern funk into the mix while carrying with them the vibe and energy of the track’s nostalgic past.

“The Eraserheads is one of the most influential bands of our time,” says SB19 in a statement. “We retained everything that’s great about the song but made sure to add our own creative direction in terms of the overall sound. There’s a balance of artistic liberty and compromise in the way we approach the material, and we’re definitely happy with how it turned out.”

Stell of SB19 adds, “we feel honored that we were chosen to recreate the song. Our tour schedule was really tight, but gladly we were still able to push through with it before leaving LA. Recording in a different country also feels surreal, we didn’t expect we’d reach this far.”

The eclectic rendition of “Christmas Party,” is produced by August Rigo, the hitmaker behind some of BTS’ biggest global smashes (“On” and “Black Swan”).

SEE ALSO: SB19 releases “Nyebe” ahead of ‘WYAT’ Homecoming Concert

NOBITA, whose single “Ikaw Lang” is the most streamed song of 2022 according to Spotify Wrapped, expressed enthusiasm and gratitude when they found out that they’re part of the music project that pays tribute to the generation-defining catalog of The Eraserheads. “We grew up listening to and playing Eheads songs,” the alt-rock group says in a statement. “NOBITA heavily draws inspiration from their music, especially their brand of songwriting. Their work has shaped us into where we are now, and we’re forever grateful for their enormous contribution to OPM artists, young and old.”

For their part, NOBITA adds a little jazz-pop treatment to “Magasin” without completely losing the song’s upbeat and heavily melodic arrangement. Slightly slowing it down with stripped-down finesse, the chart-topping five-piece act puts sunshine back in “hugot” with an endearingly surprising twist.

Apart from the revamped tracks by some of today’s biggest hitmakers, five of The Eraserheads’ legendary albums were re-released in full 360-degree spatial sound to give listeners a new immersive music experience. These influential records include Ultraelectromagneticpop!: The 25th Anniversary Remastered Edition, Circus (25th Anniversary Remastered), Cutterpillow, Fruitcake, and Sticker Happy.

SB19’s “Christmas Party” and NOBITA’s “Magasin” are out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

R&B superstar, SZA, premieres a new video for “Nobody Gets Me,” directed by Bradley Calder, and a new album featuring Travis Scott, Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard!

American R&B superstar SZA is aiming for a number one debut at next week’s Billboard Hot 100, with her highly anticipated album, SOS, projected to secure one of the biggest first-week sales this year by a female artist.

A day after its release on various digital music platforms, the 23-track album skyrocketed to the summit of Apple Music and Spotify charts in several countries worldwide and even landed her a No. 1 slot on real-time iTunes sales charts in major music territories.

The Grammy award-winning, chart-topping, and multi-platinum-selling recording artist’s new album via TDE/RCA Records, is accompanied by the release of the Bradley Calder-directed video for “Nobody Gets Me,” one of the many standout songs on the album.

SOS includes features by Travis Scott, Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard; with production by Ctrl-hitmaking collaborators ThankGod4Cody and Carter Lang, alongside Jeff Bhasker, Rob Bisel, Benny Blanco, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Emile Haynie, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, Jay Versace, and more.

Check out the complete tracklist below and stay tuned for more exciting news from SZA.

SOS tracklist:
01 SOS
02 Kill Bill
03 Seek & Destroy
04 Low
05 Love Language
06 Blind
07 Used feat. Don Toliver
08 Snooze
09 Notice Me
10 Gone Girl
11 Smoking on my Ex Pack
12 Ghost in the Machine feat. Phoebe Bridgers
13 F2F
14 Nobody Gets Me
15 Conceited
16 Special
17 Too Late
18 Far
19 Shirt
20 Open Arms feat. Travis Scott
21 I Hate U
22 Good Days
23 Forgiveless feat. Ol’ Dirty Bastard

About SZA:

Born in St. Louis and raised in Maplewood, NJ, genre-defying, and GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist SZA released her major label debut album Ctrl (TDE/RCA) in 2017. Revered for its raw and honest lyrics, it landed at No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart, No. 2 on the R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, and No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, according to Nielsen Music. The now RIAA-certified 3xPlatinum album received five Grammy nominations in 2018 and more than half the songs on Ctrl are currently certified multi-Platinum and Gold. Ctrl remains on the Billboard 200 chart since its release in 2017 and holds the record for the longest run for any Black female artist’s debut album. In 2022 alone it sold over 600,000 units and is the 10th best-selling female album this year in the country and the 50th best-selling album in 2022 overall.

SZA has won various awards since the release of Ctrl including a 2022 GRAMMY Award for Best Pop Dou/Group Performance for “Kiss Me More” with Doja Cat, Billboard Music Awards’ Top R&B Female Artist, BET Awards’ Best New Artist, BET Soul Train Awards’ Best R&B/Soul Female Artist and Best New Artist, MTV Video Music Awards’ Best Visual Effects for the “All The Stars” with Kendrick Lamar, and NAACP Image Awards Outstanding New Artist. In 2019, she won NAACP Image Awards’ Outstanding Duo or Group for “All The Stars” with Kendrick Lamar and Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation for the Black Panther Soundtrack. SZA also received Billboard’s 2019 Women in Music Rule Breaker award.

In 2020, SZA released the hypnotic track “Hit Different” featuring Ty Dolla $ign along with the stunning visual that took the internet by storm. To close out the trying year, SZA gifted fans on Christmas Day with the hopeful track “Good Days,” followed by a trippy visual released in March. Grammy-nominated for Best R&B Song, the single quickly became SZA’s greatest gainer solo single release, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and marking her first time in the chart’s top ten as the main artist.

December 2021, SZA scored her second lead artist top 10 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart with the official release of “I Hate U,” which debuted at #7. The song also entered #1 on both Spotify and Apple Music US charts and broke the record for the most streamed R&B song by a female artist on Apple Music in its first week. “Shirt,” her most recent single from SOS, has garnered over 60 million streams globally since its release in October.

To this day, SZA continues to set the standard on creativity and songwriting, while shattering records with over 7.2 billion streams worldwide across all platforms.

Released ahead of their special anniversary showcase at PETA Theater on December 14, 2022, the song encapsulates the feeling of coming home after a tiring journey.

After a successful concert tour in Canada to mark their 20th anniversary as a band, Sponge Cola returns with a new single inspired by K-drama smash Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.

Combining grunge rock elements with electronic textures and anthemic pop sensibilities, Sponge Cola’s “Hometown” is a song for coming home after a long, tiring journey. It’s a perfect description that sums up their collective feelings at the moment.

Embodying home in the form of a person, the captivating rock tune was penned by vocalist and guitarist Yael Yuzon as a way to reimagine the coastal town, with its nosy neighbors forming a tight community, and a love story that “felt very warm and familiar,” despite being entirely new and foreign.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the outcome given that it was written about a fictional piece,” Yuzon confesses. “As a writer, I was one layer away from phenomena that should have made the end product more removed, and disconnected. Instead, we ended up with something more visceral, something that resonates from within.”

Produced by Joey Santos, “Hometown” has that familiar Sponge Cola sound to it: catchy, soaring choruses filled to the brim with exciting builds and dynamic rhythms. But stripped off its delicate, fuzzy arrangements is a material that, as bassist Gosh puts it, “feels like traveling to unfamiliar places, but still ends up unwinding and wanting to go home.” Its comforting warmth lingers, and the lyrics just resonate with a lot of people who have been emotionally crushed and in love, reeling from old memories, yet ready to find new ones.

“I wanted to capture the nuances of an ocean breeze in a song—the contrast of the stillness and the intensity,” Yuzon shares. “Produced by DJ Joey Santos, I think we nailed it. It was a breeze to record.”
Yuzon adds that “Hometown” sounds like a song that listeners can take with them anywhere they go. “As we call and respond to the echoes of Philippine diaspora, home is where the heart is, and Hometown is not just a song about a place; it’s love, hope, and warmth; it’s the people.”

“Hometown” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

Sponge Cola is also set to perform the song in their special anniversary showcase at the PETA Theater on December 14, 2022, as part of their 20th-anniversary celebration. Tickets are available at all SM ticket outlets nationwide.

Released today, the ballad will be performed live at the Araneta Coliseum concert, which will also be livestreamed!

Filipino pop supergroup SB19 wraps up their highly successful world tour with ‘WYAT’ Homecoming Concert, happening on December 18, 2022 (Sunday) at the Araneta Coliseum.

Culminating their acclaimed concert series in the Philippines, US, UAE, and Singapore with their biggest show yet, the P-Pop Kings are heading back to Manila to mark the end of the ‘WYAT’ Tour. The Homecoming concert will also be livestreamed via ticketnet.com.ph as a way to reach out to local and international fans who wouldn’t be able to make it to the live year-ender showcase.

Ahead of their WYAT Homecoming Concert, SB19 has dropped “Nyebe,” an emotional ballad that envelopes listeners with warmth, longing, and sadness. The song came out just in time for the holidays, conveying longing that comes from a place of deep connection and love.

“I wrote Nyebe a long time ago,” shares SB19 leader, vocalist, main rapper, and chief songwriter Pablo. “I was thinking about the feeling of hopelessness, knowing and accepting that things are changing too fast. Time doesn’t stop, things around us happen so fast. At the end of the day, matutunaw rin ang Nyebe (the snow will eventually melt away and fade). We just have to live with it and pray, there is always a ray of hope”.

Prior to its release on digital music platforms, “Nyebe” has already enjoyed a massive run during the Filipino boyband’s world tour, giving the concert-goers a taste of SB19’s compellingly melancholic side. According to SB19’s lead rapper and sub-vocalist Josh, the song was re-recorded before the tour started. “It was first teased publicly at our Our Zone concert in 2021. It’s exciting that we get to share another milestone with our fans.”

“Nyebe” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

SB19 comes home: The WYAT Homecoming Concert

Catch SB19 as they close the year with a bang through ‘WYAT’ Homecoming Concert, happening on December 18, 2022, at the Araneta Coliseum. Tickets are available via TicketNet website and outlets. The concert will also be livestreamed via ticketnet.com.ph.

For more information about SB19’s series of shows, check out the updates on their social media accounts.

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SB19Official
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsb19
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/SB19Official
• YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/SB19OfficialYT

Epik High continues to be a K-Pop phenomenon and one of the most admired musicians in the world. They gave the world the best tunes, which resonate with every emotion and serve as a soundtrack for every occasion, through their remarkable and diverse repertoire.

As Tablo, DJ Tukutz, and Mithra Jin make their way to the Philippine concert stage, we reflect on the two-decade history of one of the long-standing groups whose music defined and continues to define generations. We reminisce on the years and count down the days before the Epik High is Here Tour lands in Manila with a list of seven of their songs that should be on everyone’s playlist.

SEE ALSO: Why EPIK HIGH’s Manila Show is One that You Wouldn’t Want to Miss

Song #1: Lesson One (Tablo’s Word)

“Lesson One (Tablo’s Word),” from Epik High’s debut Korean studio album, Map of the Human Soul, is a strong and controversial song that expresses and dives into the human truth. Despite its 2003 release, the song is still relevant and resonates with the world we live in and the ideologies that control humanity.

Song #2: Fly

In the early years of Epik High, their “lyrically intricate music” did not appeal to the general population in South Korea, resulting in the dismal performance of their earlier releases. As a result, Swan Songs, their third studio album, was planned to be their final record. However, the universe had other ideas for the group, as it turned out to be the record that catapulted them to mainstream stardom.

The album, which features a variety and mix of hip-hop, electronica, rock, and jazz, was hailed by music critics and the Korean mainstream public upon its initial release. “Fly”, the lead single of Swan Songs, also gave Epik High five music show victories. In addition, the song earned the trio the Hip-Hop Award at the 2005 Golden Disc Award, Song of the Year at the 2005 Melon Music Award, and Best Hip-Hop Performance at the 2005 Mnet KM Music Video Festival.

Song #3: Fan

Epik High continued to gain mainstream success with their fourth studio album, Remapping the Human Soul. Despite the album’s sales being age-restricted due to its contentious subject matter, which included sex, religion, and war, and several of its songs were forbidden from being broadcast on South Korean radio stations, the album became the third best-selling album of 2007 in South Korea. Remapping the Soul was named Album of the Year at the 2007 Mnet Asian Music Awards, Best Album at the 2007 Seoul Music Awards, and Best Hip Hop Album at the 2008 Korean Music Awards.

Leading the album as the title track, “Fan” went on to give Epik High five music show wins. It was also Cyworld Digital Music Awards’ Song of the Month in February and Mnet KM Music Festival’s Best Hip Hop Performance in 2007.

Song #4: It’s Cold

A collaboration with Lee Hi, “It’s Cold” is one of the tracks of Epik High’s seventh studio album, 99 — their first release under YG Entertainment. The song also marked the trio’s first single following a three-year hiatus.

“It’s Cold” further proved the unwavering chart power of Epik High as it dominated various charts in South Korea upon its release and achieved an all-kill. The song highlights Tablo and Mithra′s sensitive lyrics and features then-new artist Lee Hi’s unique vocal style. The song’s lyrics describe two people who are emotionally incapable after repeatedly falling in love and breaking up.

Song #5: Spoiler & Happen Ending

“Spoiler” and “Happen Ending” served as the title tracks of Shoebox, Epik High’s eighth studio album, which received much acclaim from critics and the general public as evidenced by its outstanding chart performance in South Korea and internationally. Billboard’s Jessica Oak described the album as “lavish both sonically and lyrically”.

“Happen Ending” is a sorrowful hip-hop ballad about feeling helpless and disillusioned about love following yet another failed romance. In contrast, “Spoiler” tells the tale of a man who predicts the end of his relationship after seeing a movie spoiler.

Song #6: LOVEDRUNK

Teaming up with Crush on the song and with IU and Jin Seo Yeon on the music video, Epik High delivered a combination of a melancholic ballad and hip-hop in “LOVEDRUNK”, the title track of their second extended play, Sleepless in ____________. The song is immensely somber, with a standout performance from Crush.

Tablo also described the song as a song about realizing why people think alcohol tastes sweet after their first breakup or other traumatic experience.

“LOVEDRUNK” earned Epik High two music show wins and the Best Rap/Hip Hop Award at the 2019 Melon Music Awards.

Song #7: Gray so Gray

Epik High reunited with singer-songwriter Younha in “Gray so Gray”, the lead single of Epik High Is Here 下, Part 2. The alternative-R&B single “Gray So Gray” elicits feelings of regret and longing in listeners by thriving on a bed of hip-hop beats and soaring with mellow piano notes and clear percussion sounds.

After bagging five wins including Album of the Year at the recently concluded Awit Awards 2022, Ben&Ben returns with a new single that captures the essence of romantic love without forcing or expecting anything in return.

Setting itself apart from the conventional themes often associated with the subject, the nine-piece band encapsulates love that is earned through perfect timing and experience.

On “Dear,” Ben&Ben interprets a love song that is unapologetically bare in its messaging.

“We think it’s equally important to drop any notion of wanting to deliberately steer clear of potential sounds and themes we may have already done when being unapologetic and honest in songwriting and arranging,” the folk-pop collective says in a statement. “Like in love, the more you fight the feeling, the more one might feel internally dissonant.”

Penned by Paolo Benjamin and Miguel Benjamin, “Dear” serves as a reflection of the band’s collective and individual experiences with love so far and how one becomes stronger after going through bittersweet lessons in life. The band recorded the song at A.R. Rahman’s Firdaus Studio during their time at Expo 2020 Dubai.

“Dear is a song that tries to capture the feeling of a deeper kind of romantic love; one that begins when a person surrenders the pursuit of a lover itself to a higher power,” reveals Ben&Ben.

From a production standpoint, “Dear” evokes the timeless feeling of nostalgia and earnestness, while capturing the sound of a generation drawn into ‘70s singer-songwriter calm and pop-rock vigor.

“Not only were we able to use their world-class studio space and equipment, but we also had the pleasure of working with the stellar team at Firdaus Studio, including Peter El Khoury, Alexander Theux, Theodore Danso, and Ali Hassan,” says the multi-award-winning band. “Unlike most of our tracks that we record individually in the studio, we decided to record this one together as a full band, and we feel the final track really reflects that more ‘old-school’ feeling of looseness and authenticity.”

Ben&Ben hopes that music fans will connect instantly with the song and get a very valid answer to the question, “How do I know when I’m sure about somebody?” As the Paninindigan Kita act puts it, “We also just really hope this song connects people together in a way that they remember the people in their lives whom they can really call ‘Dear’ as well.”

Ben&Ben’s “Dear” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch the recorded live version here.

Electronic avant-pop artist Space-Ta threw a listening party at Whitespace Manila on November 18, 2022, to celebrate the upcoming release of his full-length debut album, Flight of the White Rekusasu.

Incorporating genre-blurring soundscapes with intricate beats and retro-futurist production, Space-Ta’s 8-track record blasted through the speakers as the audience enjoyed free-flowing cocktails and drinks against a backdrop of minimalist, underground club scene.

DJ acts Baby Oliv and Red-i complemented the mood of the event with banger-after-banger jams that evoke after-hour rumination in a retro-futuristic set.

A voiceover that hints about the concept behind Space-Ta’s new album was also played during one of the segments of the program. “In a world where the TIME COUNCIL has countlessly reformatted life as we know it, Space-Ta journeys back in time to explore extinct music genres and bring them back to the planet with the cinematic beauty that they once had,” introduced the VO. “An enigmatic figure in the 2032 music scene, he opposes norms, defends freedom restricted by the powers-that-be, and rediscovers himself as an artist poised to transform the world.”

Flight of the White Rekusasu will be available on digital platforms worldwide on November 25, 2022. The album is set to be released under Lockdown Entertainment—home to several critically acclaimed artists in the Philippines such as Tarsius, Flying Ipis, Assembly Generals, and more.

Space-Ta: About The Artist

An elusive figure in the music scene, Space-Ta is a time traveler-philanthropist-musician that lives in the year 2032. From a world where TIME COUNCIL has countlessly reformatted life as we know it, S-T moves back and forth in time to re-establish and reconnect erased music genres that were banned by the TC.

Like graffiti rivals, S-T re-establishes the undone music by collaborating with past musicians to bring back what was lost while simultaneously rediscovering himself in the process.
Space-Ta’s story is continually told through music, animation, and various forms of media- all of which are given to his listeners in small doses and through fleeting experiences.

Their version of a Christmas classic is part of Pentatonix’s new album, Holidays Around The World.

American pop group Pentatonix lights up the holiday season with the release of their sixth album, Holidays Around The World—out via RCA Records.

The a cappella ensemble brings their global vision back to life as they collaborate with some of the biggest pop stars and idols from different parts of the world, including Chinese pianist Lang Lang, Congolese gospel singer Grace Lokwa, Lebanese singer Hiba Tawaji, Latin band La Santa Cecilia, Indian superstar Shreya Ghoshal, Japanese YouTubers HIKAKIN & SEIKIN, British a cappella ensemble The King’s Singers, and American superstar Meghan Trainor.

As for the Philippines, Pentatonix teams up with multi-awarded Broadway icon Lea Salonga for the Yuletide classic “Christmas In Our Hearts,” originally written and performed by Diamond-certified Filipino artist Jose Mari Chan. Brimming with effervescent harmonies and powerhouse vocals, the rendition revisits the Christmas holidays with a comforting, dream-like spin.

“I had the most wonderful time recording this classic Filipino Christmas song with Pentatonix,” Salonga posted on Instagram a few weeks ago. “And yes, this is the Christmas In Our Hearts you think it is.”

The song is currently making rounds on local mainstream radio and streaming platforms, thanks to its crossover sensibilities and a gift of familiarity.

Following its release, Pentatonix is set to embark on a multi-city tour in North America and Asia to promote their new album, Holidays Around The World.

Pentatonix’s Holidays Around The World is now available via RCA Records/Sony Music Entertainment on all digital music platforms. Listen to “Christmas In Our Hearts” here.

Boys Like Girls takes us back to our childhood and teenage years with their music, reminding us of those times when worries seem small. So when Boys Like Girls announced their return to the Philippine concert stage after more than a decade, it triggered nostalgia with excitement resonating loud among pop-punk/pop-rock fans.

Originally slated for a one-night-only concert in Cebu on October 12, the demand for the Boston favorites led to the addition of a second show on October 13. As the shows at the Sky Hall Seaside Cebu come near, let us look back on Boys Like Girls songs that became the soundtrack of our coming of age.

READ: Boys Like Girls to Perform Live in Cebu in October

The Great Escape

• Album: Boys Like Girls
• Year: 2006
• Writers: Martin Johnson, Sam Hollander, and Dave Katz
• MV Director: Alan Ferguson

Fans described “The Great Escape” as a masterpiece —a song that will never fade. Many considered the song as the theme song of their high school days which bring out the best kind of nostalgia as it allowed them to always go back to those memories.

Thunder

• Album: Boys Like Girls
• Year: 2006
• MV Director: Josh Forbes

At one point in our lives, “Thunder” became the soundtrack of our summers and a reminder of our high school years. It’s been years since its release, but the song continues to hit hard and resonates with our feelings —even today.

Love Drunk

• Album: Love Drunk
• Year: 2009
• Writers: Martin Johnson, Sam Hollander, and Dave Katz
• MV Director: Travis Kopach

Boys Like Girls never disappointed and they continued to release songs that echo the sentiments of the young generation. “Love Drunk” makes you want to scream at the top of your lungs and feel the lyrics go through your heart.

Two is Better than One (ft. Taylor Swift)

• Album: Love Drunk
• Year: 2009
• Writers: Martin Johnson and Taylor Swift
• MV Director: Meiert Avis and Jeremy Alter

“Two is Better than One” saw Boys Like Girls collaborate with Taylor Swift. The track was a commercial success, peaking at the seventh spot of the US Mainstream Top 40 on Billboard.

Fans considered it as a song that hits hard in the feels and a reminder of their relationships —how they started and sometimes, how they ended.

Be Your Everything

• Album: Crazy World
• Year: 2012
• Writers: Martin Johnson and Rob Hawkins
• MV Director: David McClister

Released in the summer of 2012, “Be Your Everything” is the lead single of the band’s album, Crazy World. Through this song, fans relive their teenage memories, getting déjà vu and the nostalgic feeling of falling in love again.

Reminisce the moments and get immersed in the music of Boys Like Girls in their comeback concerts on October 12 and 13 at the Sky Hall Seaside Cebu. Tickets are available via SM Tickets outlets and online.