Entertainment

PhilPop, the country’s premier songwriting competition, drops the final batch of songs from the South Luzon cluster.

Carefully selected from thousands of submissions, the entries from this particular group reflect the unfettered truths about romantic relationships, disappointments, and heartaches, written based from personal experiences or from the perspective of an outsider looking in.

Distributed by Warner Music and produced by PhilPop, the homegrown tracks are available today, November 27 (Friday) on all digital and streaming platforms worldwide. The entries include “Para Kay Catriona,” composed by KulasBasilonia and interpreted by I Belong to the Zoo; “Bitaw,” composed by Keen and interpreted by Zsaris; and “Lunod,” composed by ChochayMagno and interpreted by ShairaOpsimar.

Para Kay Catriona: A Beautiful Serenade

“Para Kay Catriona” comes to terms with the painful reality of loving someone who will never be aware of your deep and strong romantic affection. KulasBasilonia penned the track when he was aboard the bus, seeing Catriona Gray on television as she struts in the runway with her signature slow-mo twirl. “It felt as if my life is in a slow-mo too,” the up-and-coming singer-songwriter quips. “I immediately researched about her and found out that she has a Music Theory certificate from my dream school. I was amazed, and it made me daydream about the possibility of being destined together. But reality check: we’re different in a lot of ways, and I know, it’s never going to happen.”

The intricately arranged folk ballad is interpreted by I Belong To The Zoo, and produced by Caio Cadiz. Instead of synthesized sounds, Cadiz went for real instruments such as classical guitars in his attempt to record a serenade that is both heartwarming and beautifully melodic.

Bitaw: A Soulful Ballad

“Bitaw” is an emotional R&B track that centers around the dissolution of a romantic relationship, and the struggles of dealing with healing and self-love. With slinky beats and soulful delivery, the Keen-helmed song refuses to stick to the time-tested formula of pop music, tapping someone like Zsaris to interpret the material with the right balance of sensitivity and nuance.

“We are confident enough to win the vibe of the listeners,” Keen shares, beaming with so much enthusiasm and confidence. “The production team sauces up the final piece, they’ll be hearing a different approach from the original one that I made.”

Lunod: A Colossal anthem

According to composer ChochayMagno, “Lunod” is about finding merit in quitting, and how it can be liberating sometimes to just give in to loneliness and melancholy. “Sometimes quitting is winning,” the South Luzon finalist shares. “And walking away from those who failed to see your worth is your first step towards regaining yourself back.”

Magno wrote “Lunod” while lying in the sands of La Union. She attests to the power and tranquility that nature gives off, which allows her to hit the reset button and escape the toxicity of work and personal life. “I can cry my tears out without being obvious because when you’re soaked in water nobody knows you’re crying, right,” she explains. “I can shout to the waves without being judged. It’s like the sea is my witness and fortress.”

“Lunod” is interpreted by pop newcomer ShairaOpsimar, who gave justice to the song’s colossal nature and emotional depth.

“Para Kay Catriona,” “Bitaw,” and “Lunod” are are now available on streaming and digital platforms worldwide via PhilPop and Warner Music Philippines.

Hong Kong-based R&B producer/artist Gareth.T has dropped a soulful jam called “2 more weeks” via international indie label, Umami Records.

Infused with a Mac Ayres-inspired vibe and lo-fi beats, “2 more weeks” feels ripe for a laid-back holiday party. Telling the story of someone wanting to go home to see their loved ones, this R&B bop stands out with hip-hop verses coasting through breezy melodic lines and a slinky pop edge reminiscent of unfussy, eternal summer.

“I co-wrote this song with my roommate in Boston when we were both preparing to leave and go back to Hong Kong for the summer,” said the multi-talented artist. “He was in this long distance relationship with his girlfriend and the song is about how he couldn’t wait to get back to her.

Citing his favorite part of the song, Gareth.T. remembers how instantly he got attached with the chorus. “I like the chorus the most, despite it not being really clever or even catchy. In my opinion, it feels very warm and smooth, which is basically the essence of the song.”

Currently based in Boston while studying at Berklee College of Music, the prolific producer has been dropping a new track every 4 weeks, and has no plans to slow down.

Listen to 2 more weeks by Gareth.T everywhere at this link: https://www.umamirecords.sg/2-more-weeks/

Miley Cyrus, pop trailblazer makes an explosive return with the release of her highly anticipated new album, Plastic Hearts, is now available on all digital platforms worldwide via RCA Records. Weeks after her single “Midnight Sky” and revamping the ‘80s discotheque with her Dua Lipa-assisted jam “Prisoner,” peaked at No.1 on iTunes Philippines.

“Plastic Hearts”, Cyrus seventh studio album features collaborations with Billy Idol, Joan Jett and Dua Lipa. In a handwritten letter about the new album, Miley recalls that she began writing the album over two years ago.

“Thought I had it all figured out,” she wrote. “Not just the record—its songs/sounds but my whole fucking life. No one checks an ego like life itself. Just when I thought the body of work was finished it was all erased, including most of the music’s relevance because everything had changed.”

Miley’s new sound gives listeners a renewed sense of appreciation for music made in the ‘70s and ‘80s, as seen in her cover art, which was photographed by iconic rock & roll photographer Mick Rock. Rock adds Miley into the list of artists and legends that he has photographed over the years, including David Bowie, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, and Debbie Harry.

So far, Miley has released two singles from the album: “Prisoner” feat. Dua Lipa, which was accompanied by a shamelessly campy rock video featuring the dynamic duo, and directed by Alana Oherlihy and Miley, plus Miley’s summer hit, “Midnight Sky.”

Watch the video for “Prisoner” here.

Watch the video for “Midnight Sky” here.

The Itchyworms keeps the holiday cheer going with the simultaneous release of two Christmas songs “Have A Merry Christmas” and “Maligayang Pasko.” In honoring the time-tested tradition of writing Yuletide-themed originals that are meant to bring people closer to home in feeling and essence, the pop-rock quartet is keen on uplifting our spirits during the pandemic. 

Drummer and lead vocalist Jazz Nicolas points out the important of Christmas songs in a very crucial time like this. “We need to be reminded of the joy and hope and the spirit of giving. It’s the time of year when the world falls in love, so it’s important to listen to Christmas songs all year round.”

Kelvin Yu, the band’s bassist, echoes Nicolas’ sentiments. According to him, Christmas songs are those anchors in our lives that we can always expect to be there for us no matter what the situation is. “There will always be Christmas songs: during good times, itfurther uplifts us; and during not so good times, it can provide us with that warm hug that everyone needs come December,” Yu shares.

Have A Merry Christmas: A Modern Holiday Standard

According to lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jugs Jugueta, “Have A Merry Christmas” is inspired by a meme featuring Jose Mari Chan, inarguably one of the most popular holiday tunesmiths ever. “When the Jose Mari Chan meme first came out, it was funny,” says Jugueta. “But then, people just do it every year and it becomes not as funny anymore. Anyway, one time I posted a challenge to my Facebook friends: instead of posting about Jose Mari Chan, why don’t you write your own Christmas song? ‘Have A Merry Christmas’ is an attempt to do so.”

Intricately arranged with Beatlesque pop harmonies, swoony string arrangements, and catchy, sing-along moments, “Have A Merry Christmas” fills the air with comforting message of joy and positivity. In describing the musical process behind the Christmas bop, Chino Singson, The Itchyworms’ guitarist, envisions a lush template in mind: “The melodies are definitely Britpop, and our classic shuffle a la Akin Ka Na Lang and Chocophotolandcompletes the aesthetic vibe.”

Written by Jugs Jugueta, “Have A Merry Christmas” is a “smorgasbord of Christmas tropes or cliches all rolled into one song.” Nicolas adds, “When you mix them all together, you get a song that pretty much says, Merry Christmas!”

Maligayang Pasko: A jazzy, tropical-infused jingle

Helmed and produced by Jazz Nicolas, “Maligayang Pasko” takes you back to the ‘70s and early ‘80s era: a laid-back, groovy tune that winks toward Manila Sound and city pop. It’s a nostalgic Hallmark anthem whose groove, to quote Nicolas, “is partly based on a latin or bossa nova beat, mixed with funky guitars.”

The multi-instrumentalist member of The Itchyworms also add a little bit of camp experimentation in the mix in an attempt to highlight the band’s sense of musical adventurousness. Nicolas recalls, “I was very excited to use a combination of a vocoder, which is sort of a voice synthesizer and a text-to-speech type program to sing the chorus harmonies with us. I programmed three tracks of text-to-speech saying ‘mah lee guy young pass koh’ and tuned each them to sing in harmony.”

This organized chaos resulted into a Christmas song dipped in Tropicália and jazzy elements, and serves as an exploration into an unfamiliar sonic territory.

Both “Have A Merry Christmas” and “Maligayang Pasko” exude the timelessness of holiday songs, and its significance in bringing festive cheer to everyone, despite the challenges brought about by the pandemic. As Kelvin Yu puts it, “I feel that Christmas should still be celebrated this year, especially with the important people in your lives. This year has been tough on everyone, and has made us all appreciate our loved ones, and we can keep them close and celebrate life with them every day, and not only on Christmas.”

The Itchyworms’ “Have A Merry Christmas” and “Maligayang Pasko” are now available on all streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music.

Bianca drops a stripped-down version of Rivermaya’s ‘90s classic song “Hinahanap-hanap Kita,” out on November 26, Thursday will be part of her upcoming debut EP to be released soon under Sony Music Philippines. Her latest release is out now on all digital platforms worldwide..

Delicately arranged with acoustic guitars, lush strings, and subtle electronic beats, Bianca’s rendition of the 1997 alt-rock staple makes good on the promise of the original’s melodic sensibilities, while infusing a more poignant take that resonates with the generation of young listeners today.

“I’ve come to realize that I have this tendency to make songs more melancholic because of the fact that I’m more drawn to sad music,” the promising singer-songwriter explains. “This time, I was able to express my own style authentically and show my emotions meaningfully in singing. Through experience, I’ve learned the importance of owning a song by altering its characteristics and technicalities, and ensuring that it’s suited to my personality and liking.”

Being a fan of Rico Blanco herself, Bianca decided to cover one of the singer-songwriter’sbiggest songsas a form of tribute. Bianca clarifies, “I also had no specific plans of having this as my second single. However, when I made my own rendition of this song for my guesting at RX 93.1, a lot of people enjoyed it and I did as well. Because of the interest of others, I thought of sharing and releasing it.”

“Hinahanap-hanap Kita” is co-produced by Bianca and 6cyclemind’s Rye Sarmiento, and was recorded at the Backdoor Recording Studio a few months ago. Sarmiento was instrumental in molding the finishing touches of Bianca’s first single “Biglaan,” which to date has racked up more than a million streams on Spotify alone.

Bianca specifically wanted to work with the prolific producer again because she knew for a fact that the material would be in good hands. “The experience that I had recording with sir Rye was very laidback and fun because of how patient and supportive he was with me as a newcomer in the industry. As a result, I definitely would love to work with him again on future projects.”

The teen songstress plans to step back from doing covers and start releasing new songs that she’s written during the quarantine period. Bianca admits, “I’m still a bit hesitant about it because of my fear of people seeing me be so vulnerable through my music, but thanks to my loved ones and the management I’m in, their continuous love and support motivates me to release my own work.”

UE Jam Sessions has finally debuted the music video of “LalabanTayo” (The Renewal of Honors), featuring one of the most prominent Filipino rap icons, Gloc-9. Initially premiered on Apple Music, Spotify, and Deezer, the video has been making rounds on YouTube since November 22 at exactly 7pm.

Drawing inspiration from real-life experiences during the pandemic, UE-student dancers appeared throughout the music video with their unique interpretation on the material.

“I’m really proud of the 158 students who participated and made this project possible,” Executive Producer Tommy Tanchanco said in a statement. “Their cumulative efforts have produced an inspiring and powerful visual filled with passion and love for the country. I’m happy of the outcome.”

Even Gloc-9 himself shared appreciation for the organization through his Facebook post of the audio track with the caption, “Salamat sa UE Jam Sessions for this collaboration.”

The MV of “Lalaban Tayo” (The Renewal of Honors) is helmed by Cher Manulit, a 3rd year student from UE.

Another future smash of the global superstar Jason Derulo after topping the charts and going viral in the Philippines and the rest of the world with the infectious bop “Savage Love.” The multi-platinum pop artist joins forces with Nuka on brand new single “Love Not War (The Tampa Beat),”—out now on Robots + Humans/Columbia Records. The hypnotic siren-infused instrumental finds Jason Derulo in his element, singing over tropical beats and summery, pulsating rhythms.

With a staggering 40 million followers across TikTok, Derulo is the biggest musician across the platform. The undeniably catchy yet enigmatic instrumental from 19-year-old New Caledonian producer Nuka captured the attention of many and amassed over 200 billion impressions worldwide.

Derulo being a big fan of the viral sensation, sifted through the videos and across the internet, sought after the creator. Regardless of the miles that separated the two artists, the power of music brought the two artists together to create new hit “Love Not War (The Tampa Beat).”

“Love Not War (The Tampa Beat)”follows on from a string of anthemic singles released by Derulo over the past year, with “Savage Love” being his fifth UK #1 with over 550 million global streams and the latter “Take You Dancing”amassing over 205 million global streams and counting.

Watch Love Not War (The Tampa Beat) HERE.

PhilPop, the country’s premier songwriting competition, makes another huge comeback with an exemplary batch of music entries from the National Capital Region.

With a diverse showcase of sounds spanning R&B, contemporary pop and folk-influenced genres, the latest roster offers catchy, radio-friendly fodders that tackle romance, forgiveness, and regret with precision and sensitivity.

Produced byPhilPop and distributed by Warner Music Philippines, this Friday’s commendable picks include two compositions by Aikee namely “Mapa,” interpreted by Chloe Redondo and Aikee himself, and “Bestiny,” interpreted by Kevin Yadao and Jr. Crown. Composer Kian Dionisio rounds up the Metro Manila cluster with his compelling original “HulingSayaw,” interpreted by NyoyVolante.

Two Entries

Prolific rapper and singer-songwriter AikeeAplacadorsnags two entries at this year’s PhilPop 2020 finals round.

On “Bestiny,” Aikeeexpresses his frustration on navigating the harsh realities of dealing with unrequited love and friendship. Kevin Yadao and Jr. Crown trades verses with smooth effortlessness, singing atop upbeat melodies, warm R&B beats and indelible harmonies.

“Mapa” is Aikee’s tribute to the parents that served as guiding light in times of utmost difficulty and trouble. This time, the acclaimed composer recruits newcomer Chloe Redondo on the inspiring pop/R&B ballad.

Both songs channel Aikee’s pop and urban sensibilities, while harnessing his skill as a versatile songwriter with a knack for inescapable chorus and earwormy hooks.

Life regrets as song inspiration

Kian Dionisio pens a heartfelt anthem of regrets and what ifs in life on “HulingSayaw.” Delicately woven with lush keyboards and stripped-down arrangements, his song “HulingSayaw” was inspired by Dionisio’s music career and the frustrations that come with nurturing the process. “I’ve been told that I was a late bloomer, not brave enough, and not driven enough,” Dioniso shares. “knew from the very beginning that I am a dreamer. But as I age, I started regretting all the opportunities and time that could’ve been so productive. If only I had started so much earlier, maybe I’m already living THE DREAM right now. This is one of my biggest regrets in life and I tried to incorporate the idea to the song.”

Acoustic pop balladeer NyoyVolante interprets Dionisio’s melancholic piece with just the right amount of skill and restraint. Volante worked hand in hand with Dionisio in capturing the emotional frailty of the track, delivering it with his own touch while staying true to the original’s message.

“Bestiny,” “Mapa,” and “HulingSayaw” are now available on streaming and digital platforms worldwide via PhilPop and Warner Music Philippines.

After a solid string of single releases, Singapore singer-songwriter Jean Tan finally releases her anticipated 5-song EP Blooms, available on 20 November 2020 on all major digital streaming platforms via Leeway. This EP includes singles released this year, such as “Serenade” and “Oak Cherry Wine”, as well as two new renditions of old songs as fitting bookends, “Everything I Love” and “All Things New (Blooms)”.

Although she has dabbled in folktronica and darker instrumentation in her previous Hideaway EP, Blooms brings Jean’s vocals centerstage, showcasing both sensibility and range of expression. A contemporary homage to the folk/vocal jazz/blues genre, Blooms is reminiscent of artistes such as Lianne La Havas, Norah Jones and the like. Jean’s voice is sweet with a touch of smoke, complimenting the bluesy guitar lines and soft pulse of the electric piano peppered throughout the tracklist.

The opening track, “Everything I Love”, prefaces the EP wonderfully with its sheer lightness. It reads more like a poem than a song, and it’s no wonder why since it is a lyric collaboration with prolific local poet Felix Cheong. With its simple acoustic instrumentation, the track feels like family and proves that one doesn’t really need very much to find joy.

And then we have the closing track “All Things New (Blooms)”. On first listen, it sounds like a sad soliloquy; but on closer examination, it is as the title suggests – a sliver of newness after a period of stasis, a near-perfect reflection of the times we live in. Although inspired by Sylvia Plath’s poem “Tulips”, the floral imagery does not seek to despair as it did in the original text but instead, reminds us that the withering is a sign of a bed of blooms to come. Seasons come and go, and the presence of winter gives spring its meaning.

In fact, that is just what is so special about this collection of songs. Taken in context of Jean’s last EP Hideaway, which was written in a 7-year period of battling illness, Bloomsrings in resounding assurance that for every time of darkness and death, follows a time of light and rebirth. It maps the passage from dawn to dusk, starting with a fresh morning awakening in “Everything I Love”;charts us through the noonday sun and its open sky in “Fly”, and brings us on a drowsy, love-soaked song and dance in “Oak Cherry Wine”. By the time we arrive at “All Things New (Blooms)”, we are drifting off into the promise of another day, and another, and another. At the cello swells in wondrous countermelody at the end, we are left with the all-important message: that people heal, systems are restored, and life resumes as it always was.Only through the winter of Hideaway can we taste the spring of Blooms.

Listening to the Blooms EP from start to finish reminds one of Jean’s best-performing singles yet – “Colours” – written for the 2015 Southeast Asian Games. Just the same, listening to these songs fills our mind’s eye with colour, but not the electric kind. This time, the shades are a little more muted, unfiltered, and matured, aging well with the years. It is slightly bitter, but we like it better. 

Hip-hop producer Wovensound has brought together Singapore rapper Ihasamic! and Vietnamese-Australian hip hop artist Joey Maker for his latest single, “No Road Home,” released under international record label, Umami Records.

“No Road Home” is an eclectic blend of old school hip-hop beats, haunting piano chords, conscious rapping, and even a suave guitar solo. In terms of creative inspiration, Wovensound cited Immortal Technique’s “Dance With The Devil” as the track responsible for laying the preliminary touches of his latest collab song. “I wanted a beat that felt that way and brought out that kind of vibe and emotion in people”, said Wovensound.

The lyrics of “No Road Home” tell a cautionary tale of flexing and lying for short-lived clout, and suffering the consequences after. Joey Maker shares, “My writing was inspired by the stories of some of my close family and childhood friends – kids I used to see weekly as I went through high school but have lost contact with since adulthood. Growing up amongst the Australian-born Vietnamese community, there was always a mystique and a lure – even an idea of status – associated with gang culture. We idolised triad movies like Young and Dangerous and looked up to Sydney gangs as much as we feared them. Unfortunately, some of the kids I grew up with got caught up in the image – the image became their reality, and they never made it back. I still think about them today.”

“No Road Home” is the second single of Wovensound’s 6-track debut EP Vertigos Fulfilled, dropping in June 2021. Wovensound and Ihasamic! will also be releasing their 4-track collaborative EP REPACK in early 2021.

Listen to No Road Home via Umami Records: