July 2020

Get in the Zone, debut full-length of the pop music SB19 and out today on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music.  Mashing together various music influences with top-tier production and global appeal, the nine-track release features six original compositions, along with the EDM version of “Love Goes” and two instrumental songs.

Thematically speaking, Get in the Zone maps their creative and personal journey. “It hasn’t been long since we released our debut single ‘Tilaluha,’ but prior to that, we have been training for years already,” says Sejun. “We wanted to incorporate all the things that we have experienced during trainee days into this album by putting all the emotions that we went through into our music. It was an emotional rollercoaster, but we pulled through and we hope that we get to inspire people with our story.”

SB19’s first album kicks off with the two-punch knockout of “Alab” and “Go Up”—both chart-topping singles that bask in electronic grooves, pulsating hip-hop rhythms, and technicolored beats. These songs not only exude outsized charisma, but it also showcases SB19’s potential as a phenomenal pop group capable of defying trends and trailblazing a new movement in the international music arena.

Get in the Zone takes a more somber turn with “Tilaluha,” a stripped-down ballad that tackles one’s remorse over reciprocated romance. It’s a refreshing misnomer in a record filled with upbeat jams and shiny pop tunes, and one that blows the roof off, vocal performance-wise.

The winsome streak continues with the R&B-infused “Love Goes,” a song that talks about one’s suffering over a lost loved one, and its sequel, “Hanggang Sa Huli,” which allows the broken person to heal and find comfort in a kind of love that lasts a lifetime. The sonically adventurous album also includes “Wag MongIkunotAngIyongNoo,” a Filipino adaptation of the Korean ‘90s smash “SarangeunYaYaYa,” as well as an EDM remix and two bonus tracks.

According to Sejun, what sets Get in the Zone apart from other contemporary releases is the collaborative synergy between K-pop producers and Filipino talents, resulting into an exciting yet compelling final product. “It’s a great thing to get all the good traits from Korean and Philippine music/culture, and put them together into one. If you’ll dive deep into it, you’ll find a whole new sound rich in both cultures.”

As for the creative process, SB19 members Justin, Sejun, Josh, Ken, and Stell are very hands on when it comes to writing songs and creating melodies. Justin shares, “In this album, we didn’t collaborate with any other artist. We also wrote the lyrics for all the songs ourselves, but we’ve worked with Korean Producers who have also worked with famous artists in Korea already. It was a different experience for each producer since they have different styles, but overall, everything was fun and exciting.”

The award-winning band dedicates their new album,Get in the Zone to every single one of their A’TIN fans who have relentlessly supported their music through thick and thin. “All our achievements to date would not have been possible without you,” says Josh. “So in return we will work harder and continue to uplift you with more music and content so that we can give back the love we’ve received from you.”

Check out SB19’s Get in the Zone here.

Filipina rock icon Barbie Almalbis release of “Umagang Kay Ganda,” the third single of her upcoming new album under Sony Music Philippines,  hopes to encourage and inspire listeners to rise above the extraordinary times. The Dahilan singer-songwriter uses her platform to pay tribute to the courage and optimism of the Filipino people.

Barbie Almalbis said, “The current situation has made so many of us experience such a profound sense of loss, and it has also given us a rare chance to stop and reassess our lives and consider the things that we really value. I hope Umagang Kay Ganda will be a blessing especially to our frontliners. It is our little way to say thank you for the selflessness that they have continually shown and the sacrifices that they have made to help us get through this together.”

With the help of constant collaborators, Barbie and her bandmates put a creative stamp in reimagining “Umagang Kay Ganda,” while making sure that its empowering message shines through the intricate arrangement. “Karel and I initially jammed it and he wrote lines for the instrumental section, then we arranged the rest with Nikko on keyboard and Jonard on drums. We were able to record the rhythm section just a few weeks before the lockdown.”As a result, the new version conveys the timeless appeal of the original, while exuding a warmer approach in terms of production details.

Inspiring music video

The official release of Barbie Almalbis’ latest single comes with an accompanying music video that brings to light everyday stories of hope and love for the country amidst the global health crisis.

Interspersed with scenes of the new normal, the visuals for “Umagang Kay Ganda” also showcase the heroic deeds of our frontliners and several acts of compassion and resilience from ordinary Filipino folks.

Barbie adds, “Although some people consider music and visual arts as non-essentials these days, I’ve found that many are actually turning to the arts as a way of coping and feeling connected to others. We want to remind people of the real hope that we have and can hold on to, even as we confront the invisible enemy on a day to day basis. We’ll be able to stand above difficult situations and hurdle these atrocities with the gift of love and compassion.”

The music video is also part of Magnolia Dari Creme’s campaign reminding us that in extraordinary times as in the normal times, tomorrow always brings us new chances for a brighter day as long as we are with the ones we love.

Sponge Cola, the award-wining band mark this return released a new single “Lumipas Ang Tag-araw,” out now on all digital platforms worldwide under Sony Music – the record label that released their debut album, Palabas.

Capturing the essence of a belated summer anthem in less than four minutes, Sponge Cola’s latest single soars into the fast lane with verses that turn romantic yearning into an inescapable sing-along, and a power pop surge that packs a ton of punch.

Connection in separation

The captivating and relatable lyrics echo the collective frustration of not being with the people we deeply care about and love. But on the other side of the narrative, the song presents an opportunity to weather the insurmountable odds through perseverance and resilience to get through life—thanks to the support and kindness of friends and family. “It’s a story of connection in separation, and how we can be a source of comfort for each other during difficult times,” guitarist Armo Armovit adds.

Vocalist and guitarist Yael Yuzon fondly recalls the inspiration behind “LumipasAng Tag-araw” after driving his wife to work one morning under the new normal. He remembers becoming intensely emotional out of nowhere. “It was a strange feeling: a realization about everything that has or hasn’t happened since Covid-19, which yanked us away from our usual. And at that moment, this bright and happy melody just came to me, then some words and harmonies. When I got home, I fleshed everything out and recorded a demo within a few minutes. I guess I just needed to uplift myself, so I wrote something uplifting– something that doesn’t highlight the struggle everyone has been trying to deal with during the pandemic and the lockdown.” The creative and emotional surge led to writing the initial draft of “LumipasAng Tag-araw”—a love song that deals with the struggles of physical connection in the time of pandemic.

“Virtual” recording

The upbeat pop-rock tune is the first song that the band arranged and recorded in the comforts of their home, without being together in the same place. Armovit shares the challenging process that transpired during the preliminary stages of the recording. “We sent demos and voice memos to each other back and forth, tweaking parts, creating variations, until we all agreed on a final arrangement. Everyone then had to record their own parts at home and send it to a communal online drive for the producer, AngeeRozul, to bring everything together for the final track.”

Under normal circumstances, Sponge Cola would usually write the song, arrange it in a rehearsal space, and record it together in a studio. But due to the nationwide lockdown imposed in the previous months, the alternative rock quartet decided to use the time and resources available at their disposal to record individually at their own place. “There was a lot of self-editing because you’re not being policed by your bandmates or a producer constantly keeping tabs on possible mistakes or improvements, at least in person,” says Yael Yuzon. “It was all about laying in your parts when the song was passed on to you, and you had the responsibility to keep things right and easy for the next guy to add on to.”

Music video

According to Armovit, the lockdown-inspired music video of “Lumipasang Tag-Araw” takes an intimate look into the fictional and real-life character’s personal worlds—their bedrooms, living spaces, confined homes—and the routine that they’re up to, in hopes of coping with the situation under quarantine. “It was also our first time working under special conditions, where we had to film all the scenes ourselves with our own phones and cameras.I’m very thankful for the help and guidance from King Palisoc, our director, and the creative ideas from his team.”

The music video will be released on August 1, Saturday via the band’s official YouTube page.

UE Jam Sessions’

UE Jam Sessions’ collaborative song “LalabanTayo” reach more than 120,000 views on Facebook in less than a month and finally available on digital and streaming platforms worldwide via MCA Music, Inc. It was also written by Jenny Legaspi as a tribute to the unsung heroes of the pandemic era: the frontliners that tackles the invaluable dedication and unwavering efforts of the medical workers and volunteers in the thick of the battle against an invisible enemy.  This song also recorded and filmed in the respective homes of participating members during the quarantine.

To date, the music video has received acclaim form various media outlets in the country.Business Mirror’s Tony Maghirang praised songwriter Jenny Legaspi’s lyrics, taking note of how it “reflects that feeling of connection with the frontliners who risk their lives on the line for others day in, and day out.” The veteran music writer adds, “It’s the kind of perception that’s a vital shot in the arm. It should fortify every listener’s optimism that brighter days are just around the bend, nearer than what the statistics would make us believe.”

ABS-CBN News Online’s Jackie Dosmanosalso commend “LalabanTayo” for giving people something to hope for. According to her, the song “came out fighting for its right to be a notch above the plethora of pandemic-related OPM this summer.”

“LalabanTayo” was arranged by Choi Felipe, and executive produced by Tommy Tanchanco. It features more than 30 participating singers and artists from the University of the East’s premier music organization.

Malaysian lo-fi producer OnlyM and Los Angeles-based Asian-American hip-hop artist Blahza have collaborated on a brand new single ‘Perfect,’ released via Singapore-based indie label Umami Records. ‘Perfect’ envelopes the listener in waves of serene melancholic vibes while it laments the pain and struggles of life and love. Perfect for crying yourself to sleep to, the emotional rap tune wistfully recalls memories of young love with fondness and newfound wisdom.

Blahza shares in a statement, “This song is inspired by the relationships I had in high school. Love isn’t perfect, and leaving a relationship is okay if both of the people in the relationship are getting hurt in the process. Sometimes it’s actually selfish to stay in a bad relationship.”

“I wrote the melody imagining myself in space. I felt like the very emptiness of space was like the emptiness of a person who has been through a lot in their life. Everybody has to go through feeling empty at some point and that inspired me to do the beat.”, said OnlyM, the 20-year-old bedroom producer from Malaysia. This was his first experience collaborating with another artist. “Blahza perfectly elaborated and delivered the emotion and very chill, sad vibe that I was looking for,” the underrated electronic musician shares.

OnlyM and Blahza will be putting out 2 more tracks together this year, and Blahza will be releasing his LP, Sad Songs For Happy People over the next 12 months.

Listen to Perfect by OnlyM and Blahza everywhere at this link: https://www.umamirecords.sg/perfect/

About Blahza

Los-Angeles based Asian-American hip hop artist and producer Blahza makes music with a larger than life sound about his afflictions, aspirations, and accomplishments, inspired by the American counterculture of the late 1960s and music from the early 2000s.

Blahza recorded, mixed and mastered Blueface’s record ‘Next Big Thing’ in 2018. In 2019, Blahza opened for Members Only at the first stop of their album tour, and released his EP ‘Bloom’. Blahza has been featured on major playlists including Spotify’s Beats & Rhymes and New Era: Asian Hip-Hop.

Born and raised in Van Nuys, of Chinese and Puerto Rican parents, Blahza grew up surrounded by music and diversity. He fell in love with rap music and especially how it bridged different cultures.

Blahza is currently working on his full-length debut album ‘Sad Songs For Happy People’ slated for release later this year.

About OnlyM

Malaysian lofi bedroom producer OnlyM makes music which is a combination of Flume meets Kanye West with a heady dose of chill hop. The 20-year-old started producing and selling beats on social media when he was in high school and used the money to buy his first MIDI keyboard. OnlyM wants his music to be like your coffee in the morning, to get you going and do what you want to do throughout the day while being inspired.