Entertainment

The nine-track release unravels openness with riveting sincerity

With the release of his debut solo album, Lost & Found, under Sony Music Entertainment today, Josh Cullen shares candidly about his past injuries and inner battles.

The nine-track album embraces vulnerability and suffering, not shying away from subjects that are frequently viewed as a sign of weakness. Here, the SB19 leader offers a raw and authentic glimpse into his life as he navigates previous traumas, rises above their wreckage to find hope in an often cruel world, and seizes his creative agency by sharing an uplifting tale of resiliency.

The acclaimed P-Pop singer-songwriter explains, “This album explores themes of pain and suffering, redemption, and the strength of human resilience, inspired by my inner truth. In Lost and Found, I wrote about the pain that never truly goes away, the trauma that lingers long after we think our wounds have healed, and discovering strength within ourselves.”

Lost & Found, taken as a listening experience,  shows Josh Cullen’s songwriting strengths in its unfiltered sense. He doesn’t mince words about the pressures and fakery of the industry, and even in exploring his recollections of childhood, he surmounts the dreadful experience of having to go through the bins all over again, with nothing but a pen as armor. Josh treats vulnerability as a form of refuge: it stings and lingers, but its effect only fuels his spirit as a storyteller.

He points out, “I know what it means to be lost and found. I’ve experienced being lost throughout my life, sometimes trapped between trying to process all these intense emotions while desperately hoping to be found. I hope to connect with my fans and listeners who have been through the same journey or are going through the same.”

Sonically speaking, Lost & Found marks a vital vibe shift from the rap/urban-leanings of his pre-album era to a more amorphous musical strain that blends emo, pop-punk, and alt-rock sensibilities with producer-driven hip-hop and R&B influences. Moving towards genre-defiant territory, Josh’s unmistakable chameleonic presence, coupled with his affinity for emotionally captivating lyrics and inescapable hooks, makes Lost & Found a more intriguing but enjoyable effort.

Lost & Found shimmers with tension and pull, and surprisingly rolls with effortless transition from one sound to another. From the hard-hitting, guitar-rock swells of “1999,” where he navigates the harsh realities of life, to the suave electro-pop strums of “See Me,” where he shares the beautiful, glowing feeling of finding happiness in someone else’s love and presence. Other notable tracks are the acoustic ballad “Honest,” the ceiling-punching anthem “No Control,” and the seductive and melancholic “Lights Out,” featuring Mo of the P-Pop duo Alamat.

Check out the Lost & Found track list below:

1. 1999

2. See Me

3. Silent Cries

4. Honest

5. No Control (ft. (e)motion engine)

6. Lights Out (ft. Alamat Mo)

7. Sumaya

8. Silent Cries (Instrumental)

9. No Control (Instrumental)

Josh Cullen’s new album, Lost & Found is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

On August 24, in the Spaceport Grounds, Enchanted Kingdom—the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines—held the 2024 Agilakas Gumalaw Dancing Competition as a mystical ode to our contemporary heroes.

Every year in EK, the Agilakas Gumalaw Dancing Competition brings together the nation’s best dancers to showcase their exceptional skill. Ten (10) amazing dance groups performed on stage this year to demonstrate to the world that “Pinoy, Magaling Ka!”

The NU Dance Company from Sampaloc, Manila highlighted the rich, dynamic Filipino culture through their winning performance. The group clinched the grand winner title and bagged Php 20,000, twenty (20) return passes to EK, and a chance to perform in one of EK’s upcoming events.

NEW BREEDZ from Muntinlupa City and League of Monsters-Brothass from Calamba City, Laguna also took home cash prizes and tickets along with the runner-up titles.

Rising P-Pop boy group sensation BILIB spiced up the night with a mesmerizing performance of their newest music along with their rendition of popular P-Pop hits. The show also featured its judges, G-Force member Myka Espina Gonzaga and internet personality Xai Smith, as they turned up the heat by showing off their amazing dance moves on the EK stage.

This magical celebration was made even more magical with the following sponsors: Surf, Dove Deo, Minute Maid, Pretzels Stick Snacks, Australia’s Own, Hello! Chocolate, Nips, Krrrrunch, C2 Cool and Clean, White Flower, and Selecta.

BAYANI: LAGING HANDA

Taking part in the celebration of Buwan ng Wika this August, EK brings back BAYANI, its original musical production featuring OPM songs with their very own Cast Members performing. This year’s installment of the musical follows the story of Joana Makabayan in her journey of self-discovery as she joins the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.

The musical show will run until September 15 from Fridays to Sundays, 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the Eldar’s Theater.

MIDWAY MIRROR MAZE

Create more magical memories with your loved ones with EK’s newly launched attraction, the Midway Mirror Maze. Drop by the Midway Boardwalk, and help Eldar the Wizard and Princess Madeline in finding Princess Victoria by threading your way towards the center of this thrilling labyrinth.

Guests can have exclusive access to this engaging and immersive trip with stunning lights and graphics at every corner for just Php 150. Students can get tickets at a discounted rate of Php 120, while senior citizens and people with disabilities can only pay Php 107.14.

Visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph and EK’s official social media accounts @enchantedkingdom.ph for Facebook and Tiktok, and @ek_philippines for Twitter and Instagram for additional details and updates on these and EK’s other forthcoming events and offers.

The stripped-down OPM track marks the new direction of his upcoming EP, to be released soon

 James Reid returns to his mellow, pop-leaning beginnings with the release of “Sandal,” his latest song under Sony Music Entertainment and Careless, following the popularity of his OPM blockbuster “Randomantic.” 

“Sandal,” which is essentially stripped down with acoustic instruments and mellow vocals, manages to strike a balance between accessibility and elegance, emulating the enchanted pull of his previous records.

As anticipated, Reid shows how eager he is to elevate a straightforward act of romantic affirmation into a masterpiece. He returns on “Sandal” with a new serenade that has enormous creative and commercial promise.

“I just wanted to reconnect with my roots in music, blending my past music with my new sound and writing style,” the award-winning singer-songwriter and label mogul admits. “It’s also been a long-time request from my fans. Most of the songs in my new EP are written in Filipino.”

The recording superstar wrote the track together with Luke April of the Davao-based hip-hop and R&B group, Playertwo. Both Reid and April wanted to create a material that aims to easily comfort someone going through a tough time. As the former pointed out in his press statement, “The idea is that love is strength and vulnerability, and that I will be your sanctuary.”

James Reid adds, “This song means a lot to me personally. I wrote it for my girlfriend when she was having a terrible day. I wanted her to know that no matter what you’re going through, you can always lean on me.”

“Sandal” is also produced by Tim Marquez, who has helmed tracks for eclectic Filipino acts such as Ena Mori and Zild, and previously worked with James Reid on the piano ballad “Hurt Me Too.” Building on the initial ideas brought by Luke April, Tim approached Reid’s new direction with a slow dance feel.

James Reid’s “Sandal” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment and Careless.

The P-Pop kings open up about tour setbacks and career challenges on new documentary film

The eagerly awaited movie PAGTATAG! from SB19! Today is THE DOCUMENTARY’s national theatrical premiere!

The highly anticipated documentary offers an intimate glimpse at the group’s experiences both individually and collectively while touring and attempting to manage their rise to international pop prominence while dealing with a debilitating fear of pressure and anxiety.

The concert documentary not only documents the P-Pop phenomenon’s journey as they “move forward to a new era of music, career, and emancipation,” but it also reveals never unseen moments that challenge their tenacity and dedication.

Watch the trailer here

“Part of what makes the film even more special is that it doesn’t sugar-coat the learnings and experiences that we’ve endured during the entire era of the PAGTATAG! tour and album release,” SB19 shares in a press statement. “The year-long run was filled with multiple setbacks that added mental and emotional distress. But as the title explains it best, the documentary will show how we bounced back from the adversities in life and career, and how we managed to mount a series of shows despite going through a lot of internal and collective struggles. We hope that through this movie, we will be able to inspire our A’TIN to become stronger and more resilient when they face a similar ordeal in a not-so-distant future.”

SB19’s PABLO, who currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 1Z Entertainment, emphasized that they’ve always thought about producing a documentary that captures the story behind the stage and the little moments that define the human aspects of mounting a tour of this scale and ambition.

“We’re grateful to First Light Studios and Jed Regala for helping us turn our vision into a reality,” PABLO reveals. “We’re lucky to have a team that understands the power of collaboration.”

The exclusive screenings will take place from August 28 to September 1 in cinemas nationwide.

SB19 just defeated some of the greatest and most recognizable international music stars in Billboard’s Fan Army Face-off, winning for the second year in a row. In the final round, the five-piece act that was topping the charts received 56.3 percent of the vote, defeating Barbadian megastar Rihanna.The GENTO hitmakers won the Voices of Asia Award for their innovative role in introducing Filipino music to a worldwide audience yesterday, August 27, when they also represented the Philippines in Billboard Korea’s “Billboard K POWER 100” in Seoul.

Get your PAGTATAG! THE DOCUMENTARY tickets here.

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

Last July 27, Enchanted Kingdom, the first and only top-tier theme park in the Philippines, held a magical celebration to honor Eldar the Wizard, one of its most popular characters.

Everyone who attended the Eldar’s Birthday Bash, which took place at the Eldar’s Theater on Saturday, was treated to FUNtastic snacks, performances, and surprises. Via a variety of entertaining games and instructive activities, children and children at heart learned about EK’s five basic values: love of God, respect, loyalty, honesty, and inventiveness.

Nico R. Mamon, EK’s Integrated Marketing Officer-in-Charge Division Head, also teased the newest ride that will be launched sometime this year. He invited the Park’s loyal guests to name this new attraction through an engagement campaign that is set to start this quarter.

Goin’ Bulilit star Dani Zee and Sparkle artist Margaret “Meg Meg” Montgomery charmed the crowd with their solo musical performances. Other EK storybook characters and sponsor mascots were also there to join in the festivities.

Meanwhile, Eldar’s birthday celebration will go on until August 31! For only Php1,200, enjoy one (1) Regular Day Pass to EKsperience unlimited rides and attractions, one (1) Eldar’s Purple Brew drink, and one (1) Php100 discount voucher for Eldar-branded merchandise when you book via the EK Online Store from July 28 to August 31. Walk-in guests will also get to savor one (1) Eldar’s Purple Brew drink! The Eldar’s Birthday Treat Promo is valid for visits from today to August 31.

This magical celebration was made even more magical with the following sponsors: Dove Baby Wash, Dove Deo, Dove Body Wash, Lifebuoy, Surf, Dewberry, Cherifer, Krrrrunch, Selecta, Minute Maid, Roller Coaster, Nips, Nova, C2 Cool and Clean, Hello! Chocolate, Pretzels Stick Snacks, Cream-O, Purefoods Ready-to-Eat,Tiny Buds Baby Naturals, Nutriboost, Krispy Kreme, Nutri10Plus, Dayzinc, Chuckie, Reyes Barbecue, MPower, and Ceelin Gummies.

ViewTrue Imaging, Xtreme Paintball Philippines, Auntie Anne’s, Teho, Shakes Station, Dash Premium Ice Scramble, Dairy Queen, Angel’s Corn, Fortune Bakeshop, Potato Corner, Lil’ Orbits Mini Donuts, Po Jang, Mary Grace, Alcatraz, Sigue Trading, Hap Chan, Shakey’s, D’vinia’s Buko Pie and Food Products, Buko de Lite, and Frutti Delite are among the tenant partners who also offered their support for Eldar’s special day.

Visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph and EK’s official social media pages @ek_philippines on Twitter and Instagram and @enchantedkingdom.ph on Facebook and Tiktok for additional details and updates on this event and EK’s other forthcoming events and offers.

The inaugural event unveils its initial round of programming, which includes the addition of a songwriting camp
 

Following two years of well-attended live events in Singapore (2022–2023), AXEAN has announced its return, this time in a new tropical location thousands of miles distant from its previous headquarters.

Filipino musicians include dream-pop group Bird, indie-folk group Munimuni, electronic producer crwn, and chart-topping R&B singer Maki. and soul-jazz chanteuse Muri are among the first wave of performers at the worldwide music festival scheduled for September 28–29, 2024, in Bali, Indonesia.

A meaningful confluence is about to take place at the Jimbaran Hub, which is situated at the southern tip of the island and is surrounded by stunning vistas of sunsets and lush flora. This is the first intra-regional music showcase event in Southeast Asia.

First time in Bali

“It has always been our vision to make AXEAN a regional traveling festival, changing host countries every year, or even having multiple smaller editions in different countries,” AXEAN Festival co-founder and team leader Piyapong Muenprasertdee reveals. “The reasoning stemmed from us seeing that most Southeast Asian music markets are either very domestic, or receptive towards only western or K-pop artists when it comes to international artists. Thus, if we could help domestic artists cross borders within the region, there could be more opportunities for them to grow an international fanbase. After 2 years being in Singapore, we felt it was the right time to try a new place, and Bali being a tropical paradise with a growing music scene, we think it is the perfect location for artists, delegates and music-lovers alike.”

The festival activities will kick off with a music industry mixer and a private music showcase of Balinese talents on the day prior to the festival. It will be followed by a two-day music conference with networking activities in the morning and a music showcase festival featuring more than 50 music acts from Southeast Asia and beyond.

First wave of lineup

This year’s edition of AXEAN Festival takes pride in its diverse but strategically curated lineup from different parts of Southeast Asia and the rest of the world.

The lineup includes: At Adau (MY), Batavia Collective (ID), bird. (PH), Common People Like You (TH), COTERIE (AU), crwn (PH), Dialog Dini Hari (ID), Funkindustry (FR), Gabe Watkins (TH), Grrrl Gang (ID), HARIKUYAMAKU (JP), I’mdifficult（TW)，Josh Makazo (SG), lightcraft (ID), Linying (SG), LUSS (TH), M-Fatt (KH), Maki (PH), Milledenials (ID), mindfreakkk (TH), Munimuni (PH), Muri (PH), Norith & YuuHai (KH), Puman (CN), Rangga Jones（SG), RuthKo（KH)，San & The Workshop (SG), Skandal (ID), The Dinosaur’s Skin (TW), The Hertz (HK), Tuimi (VN), Uudee’s Swashbuckling Dandies (MN), Vanthan (KH), VVAS (TH).

International songwriting camp

The acclaimed international showcase festival will wrap up with a private songwriting camp, the newest addition to its diverse and extensive range of programming. The initiative aims to foster a spirit of creativity and inclusivity in a globalized setting while nurturing cross-cultural collaboration amongst the finest and most promising songwriters, producers, and artists in the ASEAN region and also from other regions of the world.

AXEAN Festival co-founder and co-director David Siow advocates for a more DIY approach to the songwriting camp, backed by its purpose of empowering and connecting a community of music creatives from all around the world, while ensuring equitable outcomes and opportunities from the series of collaborative sessions.

“For us, it’s all about enabling artists and furthering their careers; for Bali, it just made sense to do a camp and create good vibes, memories, and tracks for all involved,” Siow explains.

The co-director of the festival, Muenprasertdee, also stressed the value of the songwriting camp, emphasizing its ability to break down barriers both literally and figuratively as well as to create strategic partnerships that have the ability to assist artists in breaking into new markets by pooling their fan bases. He mentioned Flower.far with Fern from Thailand. among the recent success stories are H 3 F from Thailand and Vũ Thanh Vân from Vietnam and the Philippines.

“We hope a songwriting camp will help create an environment to foster more artistic collaborations and cross-border fanbases. Apart from some of this year’s showcasing artists, we have also invited some alumni, guest songwriters and producers to make it more fun and productive! Be on the lookout for new music coming out from our camp!”

Get your tickets here: https://axeanfestival.com/buy-tickets/

Music video directed by Gia Coppola Written by and starring Halsey

The highly anticipated new single “Lucky.” which was produced by Michael Uzowuru (Frank Ocean, SZA, Rosalia), by GRAMMY® nominated, genre-blending artist Halsey, features an interpolation of Britney Spears’ “Lucky” in the chorus and features the production of the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 Hit, “Angel of Mine.”

Halsey released the music video for the new song along with her first single in more than two years. Actor Simon Rex makes a brief appearance in the video, which was directed by Gia Coppola (Palo Alto, Mainstream) and contains photography by Alexis Zabe (The Florida Project). Halsey is the star of the film.

Halsey revealed last month that she has been secretly battling with her health for almost two years after receiving a diagnosis of Lupus and a rare T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. Halsey thanked her followers in a statement following the reveal for their extremely kind words.

With four RIAA-certified albums under her belt and over 75 million adjusted RIAA-certified singles, Halsey has collected more than 50 billion global streams. She is among the few musicians in history to have four distinct songs reach one billion streams on Spotify. additionally possess two RIAA-Certified Diamond records.