Category: Music

The violinist/singer-songwriter’s forthcoming release is a “concoction of feelings, stories, and languages”.

Muri is gearing up for the release of her highly anticipated debut EP, 11ème on all digital music platforms worldwide this Friday, September 20, 2024.

The indie soul-pop release will explore themes of adjustments, desolation, and challenges that one has to go through when settling in a new city far away from the comforts of home. This record is special to Muri as it allowed her to “try new things, challenge her assumptions about songwriting, and inject elements of multiple worlds.”

“Writing this EP was a journey of learning to let go, dealing with change, and rebuilding one’s self,” explains the globetrotting singer-songwriter and violinist. “We all learn to rewrite our own stories, but first we need to grieve, accept, and trust ourselves.”

For her new EP, Muri assembled a team of France-based musicians and worked with them together in different locations, including Beajoulais and Paris. The multi-talented artist, who also happened to be The Ransom Collective’s violinist, also collaborated closely with indie producer Sacha Arnaud in helping her vision come to life.

She also recruited Remi Klein and Tamino Edener as part of the musician pool and recorded the final output at Audioscope in France. The result is a sonically arresting release infused with dreamy synths, spoken word, and snippets of multiple languages.

“I’m excited to just share a little bit of my world with everyone,” Muri shares. “It’s a concoction of stories, feelings, and languages. And I want the music to simply be an exchange, a conversation. I want the music to serve as a medium for sharing the insights I’ve gained from the world and for listening to and understanding the narratives of others as they engage with it.”

EP launch and AXEAN Festival 2024

Muri will launch her new record, 11ème at Sari-Sari Cocktails in Makati City on Sunday, September 22. Her band The Ransom Collective will also reunite for a special set, along with performances by some of her music peers, including Leanne & Naara, Kai del Rio, Jerms, and Billz. Muri, on the other hand, will debut the songs from the EP live with her backing band.

Muri will also take center stage at the AXEAN Festival 2024 in Bali, Indonesia, on September 28-29, 2024. The globally renowned showcase festival has grown to become an internationally recognized platform that features musical talents from Southeast Asia and beyond, while also providing a place for artists and music industry professionals from around the world to connect through genuine face-to-face networking opportunities.

The new track marks a shift in sonic direction for the acclaimed Filipino singer-songwriter and rapper, trading bars for melancholic strut.

SB19’s Josh Cullen returns with “Silent Cries”, an emo-laced, guitar-driven song that serves as a pre-release single for his upcoming album, Lost and Found, due out next month.

Emo tendencies

On the melancholic track, the P-Pop soloist trades his urban-leaning charisma for something that passes off as Midwestern emo for the streaming generation. This time around, Josh turns inwards for temporary refuge and puts a front to conceal some vulnerable moments in his past life, writing some of his most confessional and somber lyrics to date.

Josh Cullen’s ‘Silent Cries’ serves as an introduction to the ‘Lost and Found’ album—the lyrics of the song come straight from the heart, revealing the artist’s true feelings.

The result is a compelling piece of work that sounds specifically written or produced for an audience raised by bands such as Jimmy Eat World or American Football, yet would never stop jamming to a Post Malone bop in the wee hours of the night.

Official music video

The genre-bending act revisits his past with equal moments of fondness and longing in the music video accompanying the release of “Silent Cries”. The MV’s concept revolves around Josh deciding to go back to places that were once a vital part of his childhood and reminiscing about these memories—both good and bad.

Slickly filmed with nostalgic elements and melancholic undertones, the visuals try to do more than just tell a story. It weaves moodiness with words barely spoken in ages. And that’s what makes it all the more affecting: the subdued silence, the longing gaze, the fleeting fascination with the past. The atmosphere is all cigarette smoke and ripped tunes for the wicked, but there’s a sadness that hovers undeniably in its powerlessness, always reminding us of the brutality (and sometimes beauty) of time’s passing.

Josh Cullen’s “Silent Cries” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide. Watch the music video on Josh Cullen’s YouTube channel.

Private Blizzard, the debut album from breakout vocalist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Dhruv, is out today via Little Worry/RCA Records—get it HERE.

“When I was in high school and felt completely alone in my queerness, music held my hand and saw me through my private blizzard,” Dhruv says. “In this latest period of life, which has been turbulent in different ways, I have again found a sense of rootedness in making songs. No matter how far I stray, it’s what it has always come back to. I’m so grateful for what this album has done for me and so happy for it to be out in the world.”

Private Blizzard features Dhruv’s new single “One and Only” alongside previously released tracks “Grieving,” “Speed of Light,” “How?,” which Ones to Watch praised as “spellbinding,” and “Tragedy,” Dhruv’s first new music of 2024 which he performed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for his late night T.V. debut in February.

Recorded in Nashville with Grammy-nominated producer JT Daly (Noah Kahan, Bully, Benson Boone), Private Blizzard reflects the full range of emotions Dhruv felt as he set out to make his debut album from a place of creative honesty. “I started in a place of numbness, and I didn’t really understand why I felt that way,” Dhruv shares. “The songs that I started out with were trying to help me unpack that feeling. The further along I got, I started feeling better—I just felt lighter.”

Allowing intuition to guide him more than in the past, Dhruv focused on developing his vocal range to give himself a larger canvas to express his changing emotions. From a sonic perspective, he and Daly worked together to arrive at a sound that incorporates classic live elements while retaining a modern feel. The result is an album that, above all else, feels true to Dhruv.

Born and raised in Singapore and of Indian descent, Dhruv’s fascination with music dates back to the age of five, hearing Bollywood soundtracks on the T.V. at his grandmother’s house. After years of writing songs privately, he put his studies at Yale on hold to make a go of music in earnest and began producing from his bedroom.

Dhruv burst into the spotlight after his 2019 single “double take” exploded globally, racking up hundreds of millions of streams worldwide. Soon after, he signed with Little Worry and RCA and, in 2022, he released his debut EP Rapunzel. He’s toured with Joji, sold out headline stops across the U.S. and the U.K. and a handful of dates in Asia in 2023, including two rare headline shows in India. NME praised Dhruv for creating “vital, anthemic” pop, while PAPER celebrated the power of his “intimate love songs” and CLASH hailed his “open and completely relatable” songwriting.

DHRUV—PRIVATE BLIZZARD

1. Ode To Boredom
2. California Winter
3. How?
4. Any Day
5. Tragedy
6. Grieving
7. Speed of Light
8. Lonely City Waltz (interlude)
9. Daggers
10. The Morning
11. Illusions
12. One and Only

The song serves as the second single off her upcoming fifth album, to be released at the end of the year.

Following the critically acclaimed comeback single “Desperate Hours” last month, Barbie Almalbis makes her early-awaited return to deliver another eclectic follow-up to mark the continuation of a new music era.

The award-winning singer-songwriter has released her second single, “homeostasis,” which was derived from a biological term that illustrates our body’s regulating process as a way to adjust to changing external conditions.

“I’m no scientist, so I’m using this concept very loosely and explaining it in the simple way I understand it,” explains the Dahilan pop-rock visionary. “It’s the process by which our body always returns to equilibrium, a balanced state, like how we involuntarily sweat when we’re too hot and shiver when we’re too cold. It’s the same with emotions: our body doesn’t want us to stay too ecstatic or sad; it tries to bring us back to a steady state.”

Almalbis was undergoing a very challenging phase in her life and felt the need to channel her frustrations into art. She couldn’t do anything to change the situation, so she thought of making a song that perfectly describes what she was experiencing at that moment.

The influential music figure reveals, “Homeostasis was giving me hope, that every day my body is going to adapt, I’d feel less and less terrible in time because it has that built-in function.”

Her constant collaborator Nick Lazaro of Eclectic Kiss arranged and produced the song, with Almalbis penning the material on guitarlele and brother/bandmate Karel Honasan writing the instrumental parts. The result is another riveting, non-conventional track that combines Almalbis’ confessional and poetic lyrics with edgy, art-rock production and minimal synths: think of St. Vincent or PJ Harvey, but with a more saccharine take in terms of vocal delivery.

“I love how Lazaro put all the dance and synth-pop elements on it, as well as the more aggressive guitar riffs,” says Almalbis. “I’ve been interested in that dance pop/rock genre for a while. I had some songs like Run For Cover and Wicked Heart, but I love how Nick was able to do it this way, where the rock and edgy sound is more present; it kind of sounds closer to how we play these songs live too.”

Barbie Almalbis’ “homeostasis” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide.

Rising stars of South Korean pre-debut boy group 3WAY are set to land in Manila for the first time as they bring their Global Audition Project ‘3WAY PROJECT’ to the country.

Also known as ‘World Wide Wonder (WWW)’, 3WAY currently consists of eight members – South Korean DONGHYUN, HYECHEON, XIHO, JEONGYOON(former WEUS member), and WOOSEOK (Boys Planet participant), along with Japanese members RYO, LENO, and RINTARO.

To connect different cultures and nations for never-ending possibilities’, they plan to tour around and hold auditions across various countries to add more members that will expand the group’s uniqueness, diversity, and versatility through the ‘3WAY PROJECT’.

To complete the ‘way’ for ‘3WAY PROJECT’, ShowBT Philippines and NineTwo Entertainment are holding an audition in the Philippines to have young aspiring Filipino talents to represent the country with ‘3WAY’. Submissions for pre-screening audition videos are until August 29, Thursday, and the final audition day is August 31.

More details are posted on ShowBT Philippines’s official social media accounts –

Facebook: facebook.com/showbtph
Instagram: instagram.com/showbt.ph
X (Twitter): x.com/showbtph

ABOUT 3WAY

In December 2023, NineTwo Entertainment teased the upcoming boy group set to debut in 2024 through their newly-opened official SNS accounts. The young idol group, then, released their pre-debut single ‘On My Way’ on April 5, 2024, which serves as their ‘signal song’ that ‘3WAY’ is paving their way towards a future where they will be able to share and showcase their talents and skills to the global stage.

As these dreamers welcome Filipino members to their passionate team, they are just as excited to meet followers and fans, gearing up for a week full of surprise events, press conferences, and collaborations in the country.

P-Pop royalty SB19 continues to captivate music fans from all over the world with the release of “GENTO” and “MAPA” from THE FIRST TAKE sessions on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Entertainment.

The new versions feature the award-winning group’s performance at THE FIRST TAKE, a popular YouTube channel with nearly 10 million subscribers under its belt. The show’s format features Japanese and international music guests performing a song in one take, filmed with shots of the artists and a microphone against a minimalist and usually white backdrop.

To date, THE FIRST TAKE renditions of “GENTO” and “MAPA” have amassed more than 4.5 million views on YouTube, becoming one of the most viewed performances from an Asian pop group/band.

“We’re eternally grateful to THE FIRST TAKE for giving us an opportunity to showcase our work on a platform known not just for its massive global following but for elevating the audio-visual experience of music fans with much-needed authenticity and rawness,” SB19 shares in a collective statement. “The performances really challenged us to work within our limitations and deliver to the best of our abilities. We’ve always considered performing as a sanctimonious process that deserves utmost preparation, love, and respect. Constantly reminded by THE FIRST TAKE that we can only perform the songs once, we had to reconnect with our roots and embrace the beauty of spontaneity.”

SEE ALSO: SB19 and Gloc-9 join forces on uplifting new single “KALAKAL”

SB19 is the first Southeast Asian group and the first Filipino artist to be invited to the globally renowned platform, which also served as host to several acclaimed performances by other artists such as aespa, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, Hitsujibungaku, MANESKIN, ITZY, (G)-I-DLE, imase, Maluma, and more.

For THE FIRST TAKE version of “GENTO,” SB19 delivered a genuinely compelling performance that highlights the five-piece act’s incredible talent and range in harmonizing, singing, and rapping.

The chart-topping hitmakers also took musicality to a different level with their rousing version of “MAPA,” which SB19 redressed with a soaring arrangement and an inspiring gospel-infused delivery.

Both versions are now available for streaming and are bundled with its original versions:

• Gento: http://sb19.tunelink.to/gento-fromtft
• MAPA: http://sb19.tunelink.to/mapa-fromtft

About THE FIRST TAKE

THE FIRST TAKE is a YouTube channel that captures the performance of musicians and singers performing in a single take. With the concept “capture the take. This moment. This sound. THE FIRST TAKE. It only happens once,” THE FIRST TAKE presents pure music in overwhelming quality with no exaggerated performance.

The channel started on 15 November 2019 and has now hit 9.69 million subscribers (as of 7 June 2024). Total views have exceeded 1.4 billion, and content has been viewed from over 220 countries and regions around the world. Growing as a comprehensive music platform, new initiatives have been launched and become viral content. THE FIRST TAKE INTERNATIONAL features international music stars such as Harry Styles, Avril Lavigne, V from BTS, Jason Chan, and Jolin Tsai, having them give their 1TAKE performance exclusively on the channel.

Follow THE FIRST TAKE on socials:

Website: https://www.thefirsttake.jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_firsttake
Twitter: https://twitter.com/The_FirstTake
X: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_first_take
THE FIRST TIMES: https://www.thefirsttimes.jp

ABOUT SB19

SB19 is a multi-awarded five-member boy group from the Philippines. The group is composed of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin and debuted in October 2018 with their single ‘Tilaluha.’ They gained popularity with their second single ‘Go Up’. Since their debut, SB19 has amassed fans (A’TIN) across the globe and was recognized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as the Philippine Youth Ambassador. The “SB” in SB19 stands for “Sound Break,” which represents their aspirations of disrupting the music scene and bringing Filipino music and culture into the international spotlight. SB19 broke into the global spotlight as the first Southeast Asian and Filipino act to be nominated in the Billboard Music Awards as Top Social Artist in 2021. They are also the first Filipino act to land on the international Billboard Social 50 and Next Big Sound Charts. Their latest release, “GENTO”, debuted at #8 on the Billboard World Digital Sales Charts.

SB19 is self-managed by 1Z Entertainment, a company built and managed by the members of SB19.

Website: https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/SB19
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm4v7afBTnJKRm4SlfHJzyg
X: https://twitter.com/SB19Official
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsb19
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialsb19

The indie artist is also set to launch her back-to-back singles “Ang Nag-iisa” on September 13, 2024, and “Storm Like Me” on September 20, 2024!

Filipino singer-songwriter Kai Del Rio (formerly known as Kai Honasan) gears up for an electrifying comeback with her first solo headline show in nearly a decade.

The former The Voice of the Philippines season 2 semi-finalist will perform her dual singles “Ang Nag-iisa” and “Storm Like Me” for the first time live on September 13, 2024 (Friday) at Sari Sari Cocktails in Makati City.

The back-to-back songs highlight Del Rio’s versatility and range, with “Ang Nag-iisa” (to be released on September 13, 2024) revealing her grittier version with blues and alt-rock influences and “Storm Like Me” (to be released on September 20, 2024) taking listeners back to her stripped-down roots.

Kai shares that both tracks have the same message and heart at the core of it all, but are musically different by intention.

“When I considered returning to my solo work, I always envisioned releasing a double single as a way to showcase my duality right off the bat. Nagagalit tayo at nasasaktan tayo. When you experience so much pain, you eventually experience hope. These two songs show the spectrum of rage and sadness and how it manifests differently within the same person.”

The official launch will not only include the performance of the new original songs, which Underdog Music will release on all streaming/digital platforms on September 13 and 20 respectively, but it will also serve as a reintroduction of the indie singer-songwriter, complete with a new moniker, a new record label and management team, and a fresh perspective on the music-making process.

“I took my time because I wanted it to be as real, as sincere, and as authentic as possible,” the Liwanag act explains. “These will be my first solo songs in a decade and I wanted to take my time with them from crafting the songs to building the team. That included finding the right musicians, the right group to work with, and the right time. Everyone who has worked on these two singles is authentic, decent, good people, but above all, they are insanely talented.”

Kai Del Rio is co-producing the official launch alongside GNN Entertainment Productions and Locked Down Entertainment, with backing from Lightfirst and Underdog Music.

“For this reintroduction, trust and history were very important to me. Both the teams behind Gabi Na Naman and Locked Down have been there for the first few years of my career in the indie scene, after the Voice and my time in a band. They know my story and are equally as invested as I am, and I could not ask for more from partners in this first chapter. In addition to them, this event will also be co-presented by Lightfirst, which is a lovely company that focuses on helping make high-quality educational content available to schools all over the Philippines.”

Kai promises that the show will be worth the wait, as she’ll be performing alongside some of her peers and idols in the local music industry, as well as playing with a special setup for the headline show happening next month.

“It’s very different from the ukulele or keytar girl you might have met before, but I hope you’re ready for the ride,” shares Kai. “It’s going to get real, but it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Tickets to KAI DEL RIO: “ANG NAG-IISA x STORM LIKE ME” Double Single Launch are now available on bit.ly/kaidrlaunch.

Global group HORI7ON sets sail with their new single, “SUMAYAW SUMUNOD”!

The release of HORI7ON’s most recent song, “SUMAYAW SUMUNOD,” on August 13 at 12PM KST marks the start of their new voyage. HORI7ON—which consists of Vinci, Kim, Kyler, Reyster, Winston, Jeromy, and Marcus—will release “SUMAYAW SUMUNOD,” on a number of online music sites.

The song “SUMAYAW SUMUNOD” was remade and first released in 1978 by The Boyfriends, a renowned Filipino boy band. Reimagined with a cool melody, the song highlights HORI7ON’s development as a performer and vocalist, with the goal of winning over fans’ hearts this summer.

HORI7ON attracted attention from their worldwide fan base, ANCHORs, with their charismatic and youthful energy in the two music video teasers that were previously published. The group’s perfect execution of the highlight choreography heightened anticipation for the complete track by portraying the lively atmosphere of the song.

HORI7ON is ready to take an exuberant trip with this new summer single, following their previous release “LUCKY,” which epitomized the classic refreshing high-teen sound. Fans are anxiously awaiting the release of the group’s remade song “SUMAYAW SUMUNOD,” which stands out from the original due to its different rhythm and arrangement and upbeat message.

HORI7ON’s new single, “SUMAYAW SUMUNOD,” is now available on various online music platforms.

Photo provided by MLD Entertainment.

The collaborative track of P-Pop Kings SB19 and OPM icon Gloc-9 pushes their artistry in a bold direction.

OPM is abuzz with excitement as P-Pop kings SB19 and legendary rapper Gloc-9 drop their joint single “KALAKAL” on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

SEE ALSO: P-Pop King SB19 returns on “THE FIRST TAKE” with soul-stirring performance of “MAPA”

The monumental collaboration finds both music titans taking their creative direction to previously uncharted places and harnessing their gifts with a balance of star power and dynamism.

According to SB19, they reached out to Gloc-9 first for a potential partnership after performing together on the well-received PAGTATAG! Finale concert, which was held at the Araneta Coliseum a few months ago.

“What sets this collaboration apart from anything that we’ve done before is that we took it upon ourselves to be as involved as possible from the beginning of the creative process,” the GENTO hitmakers share in a press statement. “Aside from brainstorming from scratch, we were really hands-on in sharing our melodic and lyrical ideas. Sir Gloc-9 also approached the material with his own creative stamp and further solidified the storytelling aspects of our final output. The result is something that we’re excited to share with our music fans: a rousing chant that brings out the best of both worlds in uniquely inspiring ways.”

All members of SB19 and Gloc-9 contributed individual songwriting parts and verses on “KALAKAL,” while putting their collaborative hats together in coming up with the chorus and hooks. The five-piece pop act admits that the iconic hip-hop star’s presence motivated them to write from a place of vulnerability and truth while taking into consideration the anthemic aspects of the production.

“We’ve always wanted to make a song that resonates with people of varying generations, a material that will encourage them to beat their chests out and sing along in their full emotional glory,” SB19 explains.

“KALAKAL, with its impactful instrumentation and earworm appeal, was made in pursuit of authentic human connection.”

More than shining a light on unique Filipino consumerism, “KALAKAL” is a powerful track that showcases their journey of empowerment and longevity. It also chronicles their story of building their legacy as artists through years of hard work, perseverance, humility, and pure talent.

Gloc-9 adds, “This song is all about believing in your own craft. Despite being years ahead of them, I was actually inspired by SB19’s level of dedication and confidence. I also admire their willingness to learn and explore ideas that may not necessarily reflect the way they work. I would love to collaborate with them again if given a chance.”

Stream SB19 and Gloc-9’s new single “KALAKAL” via Sony Music Entertainment.

As part of their ongoing campaign to promote “KALAKAL” on a grassroots level, SB19 partnered with select local businesses to engage its followers in exploring the deeper meaning behind the song through the member’s individual preferences. For more information, check out the social media pages of SB19 and Sony Music Entertainment Philippines on how to join for a chance to win a special prize.

Prior to his forthcoming performance on August 31, 2024, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Korean indie pop singer-songwriter 10cm had an online press conference where he discussed his career and tour.

Having made his stage debut in 2010, 10cm, whose real name is Kwon Jungyeol, is among the most recognizable K-Drama OST singers of his generation. His hit soundtracks from Queen of Tears, Hotel Del Luna, Crash Landing On You, and Our Beloved Summer have helped him make a name for himself in the music business. He has performed well in a number of Asian nations and earned the Best Collaboration Award at the esteemed Melon Music Awards in 2022.

In conjunction with his 2024 Asia Tour in Manila, a number of media members had the honor of meeting 10cm via Zoom conference call. When asked how he prepared for this world tour and how he felt about starting a concert tour, 10cm replied that he was surprised to learn that Manila would be a stop on the tour. He also expressed his hope that his fans would enjoy the upcoming concert and that he would meet his Filipino fans, for whom he has prepared a number of touching and exciting performances.

Additionally, 10cm was asked about the kinds of memories he wanted to take with him from Manila and his thoughts on hosting a concert there. He expressed his desire for a successful performance in the country, saying that he wants his audience to be delighted by his shows and return for more of his concerts in Manila.

10cm is extending an invitation to all to witness his performance on August 31, 2024, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay.

The Closer to You: 2024 10cm Asia Tour is presented by Cornerstone Entertainment.

Words by Vinny Real

“What I’m going for is a relentless, huge pop punch to the face. I want people to be like ‘oh my god, I didn’t expect that’ – but then want to listen to it again.”

JADE, a.k.a. Jade Thirlwall of multi-platinum selling, BRIT Award-winning pop phenomenon Little Mix, releases her highly anticipated debut solo single, “Angel of My Dreams.”

JADE co-wrote ‘Angel of My Dreams’ in LA alongside Steph Jones (Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso), Pablo Bowman (Calvin Harris’ Miracle), and producer Mike Sabath (RAYE). The track is a frenetically shapeshifting, gloriously OTT banger that explores her love/hate relationship with a pop industry she’s been at the heart of since 2011.

“I didn’t want to do a safe first single, that was important to me,” JADE states. “I’m setting the tone of who I am as an artist on my own. I want people to hear it and be like ‘what the fuck is that song?’. My worst nightmare is for someone to hear my song and go ‘that’s nice’.”

The lyrical themes are brought to life via an eye-popping video that takes the song’s playful storytelling and blows it up into big neon letters. Directed by Aube Perrie (Harry Styles, Megan Thee Stallion), and filmed over four days (“the budget was budgeting” laughs JADE), it’s a visual feast, inspired by the Fifth Element, Showgirls and Black Swan, that stars various versions of Jade all scrapping for the spotlight.

“There’s 11 looks in the video! The concept is sort of rags to riches It was emotional actually because for one bit I’m busking and walking past a Sainsbury’s Local. When I was 16, I would stand outside my local Sainsbury’s and sing Christmas songs.”

It’s been a long, carefully chosen path to get to ‘Angel of My Dreams’. When Little Mix announced their hiatus in 2022, JADE started to set her solo career in motion across multiple studio sessions with collaborators including MNEK, Cirkut, Lostboy, RAYE, Lauren Aquilina, and Dave Hamelin alongside Mike, Steph and Pablo. ‘Angel of My Dreams’ immediately jumped out as the lead single. Built around a cheeky, knowing sample of Sandie Shaw’s 1967 hit ‘Puppet on a String’, lyrically JADE wanted to reflect on her time in an industry that has brought her both unimaginable highs and deep lows.

“It’s about how obsessed I am with the industry – so there are lyrics like “love when you call me a star” – but also there’s the dark side that comes with that. It’s not as glam as it seems.” The sample, which JADE had wanted to use in a song for years, was chosen very specifically. “In the beginning of our career you do think you are this puppet, but at the same time it isn’t true – we wrote a lot of our songs, and we were behind a lot of what we put out there. I resented that as a statement. So it felt natural to take that and show that it can be true and untrue at the same time.”

The track is Jade delivering Big Pop Girl Energy. It is, as she says, doing the most; it’s OTT, it’s ridiculous and it’s gloriously WTF.

“This dawn of pop girls giving people everything is so exciting. It couldn’t be a better timing for my music. I’m so proud of it and I can say that with chest. The fans have waited long enough so now we just want to give it to them”.

Justin stars in the music video, along with Nicole Omillio of One More Chance stage adaptation and RJ Cruz of The Juans.

Justin delivers another track with an unfiltered creative pulse. The promising P-Pop star releases “kaibigan,” an anthemic track that finds the sweet spot most solo artists only dream of staying true to their roots while harnessing their fully realized potential.

The song channels the agony and frustration of expressing one’s true feelings to a friend—a familiar premise that ends with an intriguing twist to its brand of storytelling.

“To be honest, there’s no actual or specific inspiration behind the song,” Justin reveals. “I wrote this tune from the perspective of an observer and wanderer: a person who enjoys movies with a coming-of-age slant.”

Radkidz collab

Layered with sonic complexities and refreshing builds, “kaibigan” simply defies expectations by giving Justin more room to experiment. Credit goes to Filipino production duo Radkidz (SB19’s Pablo and his brother, Josue), who reconciled Justin’s pop sensibilities with their envelope-pushing ideas. Both Pablo and Josue worked with Justin on his previously released solo tracks, “surreal” and “sunday morning.”

“Similar to surreal, I let them hear my demo in its ukulele version,” Justin shares the production process behind his new track. “At first, it was more of a solemn and calm song, but as we navigated deeper through the collaboration and explored the material and its story, we came up with something that ripped out the emotional layers in the latter part.”

The charismatic member of SB19 specifically praised Radkidz for guiding him toward honing his sonic instincts while sticking to the brief.

“They added some interesting builds on the bridge and made me even scream towards the end. I personally don’t see myself doing that, but there’s always a total payoff in accepting the challenge without giving in to your sense of inhibition. I’m actually thrilled with the final output.”

About the music video

SB19’s Justin himself conceptualized the visual narrative that accompanies the track’s release. While he is responsible for the flow, the talented multi-hyphenate doesn’t want to take all the credit for the MV, as he takes pride in the collaborative nature of filmmaking. He shares captainship with his team, particularly in coming up with the storyboard and the shot list.

“For the direction of the MV, other than the rough storyboard, we make sure the producer knows the story behind it and what feeling we want to convey. I even sent movies and not just music video pegs for them to really understand what we wanted to achieve,” the 1Z Entertainment act adds.

The music video for “kaibigan” stars theater actress Nicole Omillio, who recently made headlines as Basha on the stage adaptation of the hit movie One More Chance, and RJ Cruz of alternative pop band The Juans.

The concept of the MV captures the complexities of human connection. As the team puts it, the newest single from justin is a reminder that some things are better left unsaid: “kaibigan is an embrace for the unrequited.”

Justin admits, “To be honest, the music video is very easy to digest. And that’s what I want: for people to relate to it and feel the story of the music and the music video.”

Justin’s “kaibigan” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch the music video here.

PhilPop Himig Handog releases a 12-song compilation on streaming platforms worldwide! Maki, Moira, Johnoy Danao, Ice, VXON, Ferdinand Aragon, and more, join this year’s esteemed roster of interpreters.

PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Competition has released a compilation featuring the top 12 songs that made it to the final round.

The diverse selection of fully produced tunes was handpicked by the two music institutions (PhilPop and Himig Handog), who have made history by teaming up to find the next wave of global superstars and industry titans.

According to Jonathan Manalo, the creative director of ABS-CBN Music, the final roster of tracks was determined through a rigorous adjudication process. The selection of songs involved direct consultation with the songwriters to determine the creative direction of their respective material and identify collaborators who aligned with their overall vision for the competition.

Manalo explains, “We then shortlisted possible interpreters for each track, and a lot of things had to be considered or fall into place. The next steps include choosing an artist that fits the genre and production schedule. We couldn’t simply pick someone based on name value. They had to make sense in terms of style, the songwriter’s vision, and overall commitment to the song, among others.”

Some of the artists who interpreted the songs include chart-topping R&B sensation Maki, award-winning singer-songwriters Moira and Johnoy Danao, folk-pop icon Ice Seguerra, recording pop artist Jolianne, Cebuano pride Ferdinand Aragon, P-Pop boyband VXON, and newcomers: KHIMO; Lyka Estrella, Annrain, and Geca Morales; Kurt Fick; Noah Alejandre; Shantel Cyline and Extrapolation; and FANA and Tiara Shaye.

Dinah Remolacio, PhilPop Executive Producer, also emphasized the importance of finding the right team of producers when developing the final version of the songs.

“Respect for language was also taken into consideration as we wanted artists who naturally spoke the languages that are not necessarily Tagalog and not someone who would pretend to sing in a language that he or she wasn’t familiar with. Overall, the production was a process that required a lot of components to fall into place, as well as a lot of patience and dedication. But we’re excited for people to finally hear these songs.”

The shortlisted entries explore the different facets of OPM in a modern, globalized setting while retaining its unique storytelling style and individuality. Based on the final output alone, the pioneering batch of PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Competition stays true to its unwavering commitment to promoting OPM on a scale that’s never been done before: break new territories and captivate the international audience with music that is distinctly global yet very Pinoy.

As Manalo puts it, “The Top 12 have been very proactive and collaborative in their tracks. They really care about the final output of their songs, and there’s a drive to achieve their vision for their respective tracks. There was definitely a conscious effort, not just to make these songs globally competitive but also to make them a beautiful reflection of this generation’s stories and context. I think what we’ll hear for this batch is a representation of the current landscape of OPM that’s very diverse, young, and vibrant.”

Remolacio adds, “I think you can expect a fresh batch of pop songs that have the ability to break borders globally and represent the diverse but interconnected culture of our country. We hope that through these tracks, our local fandoms will be proud of our music, and we hope that these songs will strengthen the local music scene and the music breaking borders movement.”

Check out the Top 12 entries in alphabetical order:

1. ATM
   Composer: Francis Contemplacion
   Interpreter: Ice Seguerra
2. Buhi
   Composer: Keith John Quito
   Interpreter: Ferdinand Aragon
3. Dili Na Lang
   Composer: Relden Campanilla
   Interpreter: Jolianne
4. Ghostwriter
   Composer: Kevin Yadao
   Interpreter: KHIMO
5. Kurba
   Composer: Alvin Serito
   Interpreter: Maki
6. Langit Lupa
   Composer: Geca Morales
   Interpreter: Lyka Estrella, Annrain, and Geca Morales
7. MHWG
   Composer: Rob Angeles
   Interpreter: VXON
8. Papahiram
   Composer: Rinz Ruiz
   Interpreter: Moira Feat. Johnoy Danao
9. Salamat (Nga Wala Na Ta)
   Composer: Jimmy Ricks
   Interpreter: Kurt Fick
10. Taliwala
    Composer: Maric Gavino
    Interpreter: Noah Alejandre
11. Tulala
    Composer: Shantel Cyline Lapatha
    Interpreter: Shantel Cyline and Extrapolation
12. Wag Paglaruan
    Composer: Tiara Shaye
    Interpreter: FANA Feat. Tiara Shaye

PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival is an initiative of PhilPop Music Foundation and Himig Handog and ABS CBN Music. This year’s game-changing event remains unwavering in its obligation to come up with innovative approaches in music-making and songwriting that are at par with international standards. The event is co-presented by Maynilad Water Services, Inc., Smart Communications, Inc., and in partnership with TuneCore.

Stream the top 12 on Spotify and all digital streaming platforms worldwide.

SB19, who recently made headlines by surpassing 100 million views on their official lyric video for “MAPA,” is back to “THE FIRST TAKE” with a new performance of another hit song.

Following their viral hit “GENTO,” which they performed during their debut on the YouTube channel “THE FIRST TAKE” on July 1st, their second performance video for “MAPA” premiered on July 15th (Monday) at 9:00 pm, Manila time.

For their second performance on THE FIRST TAKE, SB19 will showcase the emotional song “MAPA,” a stark contrast to the explosive “GENTO.” In this performance, attention should be given to their performance and heart-warming lyrics dedicated to their parents and parent figures.

“We’re excited to share a different version of MAPA to the local and international audience through THE FIRST TAKE,” shares SB19 in a press statement. “We’re honored to showcase Filipino music on a music platform with a reputable track record of elevating the global presence of the artists performing. Mad props to THE FIRST TAKE for giving us a chance to impart a piece of our cultural and music sensibilities in ways that could be challenging but exciting.”

SEE ALSO: SB19 Raises Philippine Flag in THE FIRST TAKE with Impressive “Gento” Performance

“THE FIRST TAKE” is a Japanese YouTube channel that invites top singers and artists from all over the world to perform a song recorded in one take. Videos on “The First Take” are filmed in a studio, with shots of the performing artist and a microphone, set to a background usually white.

SB19 on the other hand, is the first Southeast Asian group and the first Filipino to be invited to the influential music media outlet. They recently trended on X after announcing their return to “THE FIRST TAKE.”

SB19, who held their first concert in Japan at Tokorozawa Sakura Town on April 29th (Monday) and achieved great success, continues to grow their fandom both domestically and internationally. Following their debut performance of “GENTO” on “THE FIRST TAKE” as the first Filipino artists to be featured, the video has surpassed 2 million views. In response, the members released a thank-you video to their global fans, saying, “We were able to come this far thanks to the support of all the A’TIN.” This generated even more attention ahead of their return.

Check out their gratitude post about their recent performance of “THE FIRST TAKE.”

＼＼＼＼｜｜｜｜｜／／／／

　㊗️200万回再生突破🎉

／／／／｜｜｜｜｜＼＼＼＼

THE FIRST TAKEでの「GENTO」
パフォーマンスが200万回再生を突破した#SB19 から喜びのコメントが到着🗯

今すぐチェックしてね✅

SB19 – GENTO / THE FIRST TAKE
▷https://t.co/lKKO2GqtQ1#THEFIRSTTAKE pic.twitter.com/YnOB53rUPl

— ソニーミュージック洋楽 🌞 (@INTSonyMusicJP) July 8, 2024

About “THE FIRST TAKE”

“THE FIRST TAKE” is a YouTube channel that captures the performance of musicians and singers performing in a single take.

The channel started on 15 November 2019 and has now hit 9.69 million subscribers (as of 7 June 2024). Total views have exceeded 1.4 billion, and content has been viewed from over 220 countries and regions around the world. Growing as a comprehensive music platform, new initiatives have been launched and become viral content. THE FIRST TAKE INTERNATIONAL features international music stars such as Harry Styles, Avril Lavigne, V from BTS, Jason Chan, and Jolin Tsai, having them give their 1TAKE performance exclusively on the channel.

Follow “THE FIRST TAKE” on socials:
Website: https://www.thefirsttake.jp
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_firsttake
Twitter: https://twitter.com/The_FirstTake
X: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_first_take
THE FIRST TIMES: https://www.thefirsttimes.jp

ABOUT SB19

SB19 is a multi-awarded five-member boy group from the Philippines. The group is composed of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin and debuted in October 2018 with their single ‘Tilaluha.’ They gained popularity with their second single ‘Go Up’. Since their debut, SB19 has amassed fans (A’TIN) across the globe and was recognized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as the Philippine Youth Ambassador. The “SB” in SB19 stands for “Sound Break,” which represents their aspirations of disrupting the music scene and bringing Filipino music and culture into the international spotlight. SB19 broke into the global spotlight as the first Southeast Asian and Filipino act to be nominated in the Billboard Music Awards as Top Social Artist in 2021. They are also the first Filipino act to land on the international Billboard Social 50 and Next Big Sound Charts. Their latest release, “GENTO”, debuted at #8 on the Billboard World Digital Sales Charts.

SB19 is self-managed by 1Z Entertainment, a company built and managed by the members of SB19.

Website: https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/SB19
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm4v7afBTnJKRm4SlfHJzyg
X: https://twitter.com/SB19Official
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsb19
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialsb19

Actress-singer Belle Mariano is back with a new extended play (EP) “BELIEVE,” a collection of inspiring tracks about accepting one’s fate, overcoming pain, and making big dreams and an exciting prelude to her sold-out concert of the same name happening this July.

The mini-album has five songs including “Biglaan,” ‘Pakisagot,” “Little World Changer,” “I, Save, Me,” and “Apelyido,” all produced by StarPop label head Roque “Rox” Santos.

Belle is set to perform these tracks in “BELIEVE: The Belle Mariano Birthday Concert” happening on July 13 (Saturday), 8 pm at The Theatre at Solaire produced by ABS-CBN Events and StarPop. Fans may also catch its livestream via iWantTFC mobile app and website or through iWantTFC Tickets for only P599.

Joining Belle as her special guests are Donny Pangilinan, Moira dela Torre, Denise Julia, and Martin Nievera.

The Kapamilya star couldn’t contain her astonishment at doing a concert as big as this at this time in her life. “Hindi ko siya na-visualize. It was too grand for me,” Belle said in disbelief.

“I used to sing in the videoke with my lolo and it feels like I’m not just fulfilling my dream, I’m also fulfilling his,” she added.

Preparing for the musical event however has made her have more faith in her capability as a performer. She said, “The process of the concert made me believe in myself. This marks a growth of who I am in the industry.”

She is also introducing a more mature sound and storytelling in her latest music offering.

“Biglaan,” which speaks of destiny finding its way to bring something more than what is expected, serves as the “BELIEVE” EP’s focus track. Another empowering track, “Little World Changer,” is a dreamy ode to a young person’s big aspirations.

“Pakisagot” is about a girl weeping in prayer and demanding answers on why terrible things happen to good people, “I, Save, Me” is about processing heartache and false hope, and “Apelyido” is about that special moment when one finally finds the right person.

As a music artist, Belle opened up about how she wants to be remembered whenever music listeners hear her songs.

“I want to make the listeners, the audience, believe in themselves,” she said.

“BELIEVE” EP follows the New Gen Phenomenal Actress’ previously released albums “Daylight” and “Somber and Solemn.” Among her hit songs are “Sigurado,” “Kahit Na, Kahit Pa,” “Tanging Dahilan,” and “Bugambilya.”

This year, she received the Listener’s Choice award in Billboard Philippines’ Women in Music and was named Spotify’s Lullaby Artist Awardee.

Belle’s “BELIEVE” EP is now out on various streaming platforms.