The “paasa anthem” explores the frustration and exhaustion that come from life’s repeated curveballs
Filipino singer-songwriter Gab Cabangon channels frustration and unresolved anger in “Ikot Ulit,” the third official single off his highly anticipated debut EP to be released this year. Described as his ‘paasa’ anthem and ‘galitcore’ track, the pop-rock tune comes from a place of personal uncertainty and professional setbacks, confronting the experience of repeatedly facing broken promises with both grit and emotional exhaustion.
“I think the emotion that really drove the song was mainly frustration,” Gab admits. “I was getting sudden postponements for work-related projects and pitches, and it was a period wherein I had bar gigs that were cancelling at the last minute. I also felt like I couldn’t trust anybody outside of my family and circle of close friends because I felt like people were going to throw me under the bus at any moment.”
Gab reveals that he had always intended to release “Ikot Ulit” a couple of months after “Kama” but later realized how the timing made so much sense in today’s socio-political landscape. “There are so many broken promises happening right now, and the consequences are very real and very frustrating. While I did not write Ikot Ulit with the initial intention of relating it to the political climate right now, I do realize that it’s important to express that frustration through this song.”
While based on Cabangon’s real-life experience, the song intentionally leaves room for listeners to project their stories onto its themes. Its lyrics avoid specificity, allowing the frustrations explored in the track to appeal across different circumstances and walks of life.
“I kept the lyrics quite general so that people can associate the song with their own respective experiences,” he adds. “Just like most of my songwriting, I often start with my experience, then I incorporate the stories of other people to try and make the song more relatable to my listeners. By the time I finished Ikot Ulit, I wanted to make sure that the feelings of ‘frustration’ and ‘anger’ were felt throughout the whole song.”
Sonically speaking, “Ikot Ulit” revisits elements of the artist’s earlier band-driven roots while integrating the singer-songwriter sensibilities he has long established with his solo material. Produced and arranged in collaboration with David Lina, the track embraces a grittier indie pop-rock aesthetic, brimming with dirtier guitar tones, a less strained arrangement, and a heightened sense of urgency that mirrors its thematic vibe.
A notable addition to the final recording is an instrumental bridge that was absent from the original demo, which somehow elevates the level of intensity to the overall sound. The track was mixed and mastered by Shadiel Chan and Jan Fuertez with vocal engineering by John Crupero, further refining the song’s raw yet deliberable sonic identity with just a subtle amount of grace.
Beyond its cathartic energy, “Ikot Ulit” occupies an important place within the broader narrative of Cabangon’s upcoming debut EP. Following “Pieces,” which explored the acceptance of vulnerability, and “Kama,” which finds beauty in peace amidst the cosmopolitan noise, “Ikot Ulit” serves as the next vital phase in a larger road toward healing.
Gab summarizes it all by saying, “I think it’s really about going through the process of healing and learning to love again. That in order to be whole and be passionate about the things we love, we have to allow ourselves to feel, to rest, and, in some cases, to express our frustrations and our anger. I’d like to think of Ikot Ulit as the third chapter that kind of opens a space for everyone to just let it all out.”
Gab Cabangon’s “Ikot Ulit” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide.
