Acclaimed singer-songwriter VANNA, Israeli indie-folktronica artist has finally dropped the last single from her debut EP, High Hopes — arriving sometime in November.

Produced by Roy Avital of Tel Aviv-based indie electronic trio Garden City Movement , ‘Friday Night’ is a soothing down tempo tune that is delicately built with layers of understated electronic sound scapes and atmospheric textures. It is the perfect song for turning off the lights in your room and immersing yourself in its irresistible sadness.

The brooding but captivating arrangements envelope VANNA’s poignant vocals, and culminate with a powerful and emotive instrumental drop.

The Israeli singer-songwriter shares the story behind the heartfelt lyrics: “After a rough breakup, I was literally always riding my bike at night, being super depressed. Once every week I would need to ride past my ex-girlfriend’s house. It took me 6 months before my heart wouldn’t start beating faster every time I passed by.”

VANNA’s debut EP High Hopes has been 3 years in the making, and is produced by Roy Avital of Tel Aviv based indie-electronic trio Garden City Movement and mastered by Matt Colton (James Blake, Muse, Coldplay). Delivering a delicate fusion of indie electronic, pop, and folk influenced by artists like RY X, Oscar and the Wolf, SYML and Sóley, the EP will be released in November 2020 via Singapore indie label Umami Records.

Listen to Friday Night via Umami Records : https://www.umamirecords.sg/friday-night/

The Geeks, indie pop quartet are finally making a return after two years of not dropping any new material with the release of their new single “The First Time”—out now via Lilystars Records. Also now available on all streaming and digital platforms worldwide.

Strumming its way comfortably into slacker and honeyed guitar pop territory, The Geek’s latest song rejects the notion of predictability by going vintage in aesthetic and function, while connecting on an emotional level with newfound grace.

“Our new single in two years is an homage to local Filipino kundiman music- a tribute to a time when we still wrote letters and the internet was non-existent,” vocalist and guitarist Jam Lorenzo shares the inspiration behind their new song. “Partly inspired by the portrayal of young romance in Filipino period films, ‘The First Time’ discusses in vague detail the enduring cliché of being stood up on the eve of a planned elopement.”

With its subtly heartbreaking observations on a kind of love that’s a product of a different time and milieu, “The First Time” shines through more than ever with a sharper, more deeply layered turn in The Geeks’ songwriting style: its sense of defeat is more palpable, and the verses wreck when you’re least prepared.

The premier songwriting competition in the country, PhilPop remains consistent in its advocacy to nurture future global hitmakers through its sustainable platform and world-class mentorship program. Finally completed its roster of Top 15 finalists from thousands of submission and even in the middle of coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the challenges of the new normal, the songwriting institution continues to develop its pool of game-changing songwriters and composers from across the regions and cities in the Philippines, and showcase a diverse selection of music that elicits cultural conversations and reflects contemporary narratives with substance.

The last batch of finalists from North Luzon, South Luzon, and Metro Manila clusters were announced during the livestream of PhilPop Q&A and Kuwentuhan Sessions last September 23, 2020 (Wednesday).

In no particular order, here are the final batch of finalists who made it to PhilPop Songwriting Festival 2020:

North Luzon:

• Abegail Esteban and TJ Paeldon – “Agsardeng”
• Lolito Go – “Balikan”
• Angelic Mateo – “Paos”

South Luzon:

• KulasBasilonia– “Para Kay Catriona”
• ChochayMagno – “Lunod”
• Princess Roselle C. Germina – “Bitaw”

Metro Manila:

• Kian Dionisio – “HulingSayaw”
• Aikee – “Bestiny”
• Aikee – “Mapa”

The nine finalists will be joining other contenders from the Visayas and Mindanao clusters, which include amateur and professional composers and songwriters such as JerikaTeodorico, Noah Alejandre and ReanneBorela, Michael Catarina, John Cadeliña  Christian Chiu, and Sherwin Fugoso.

In terms of picking the finalists for the South Luzon cluster, CaioCadiz specifically handpicked songs that not only stand out in terms of melodic elements, but also entries that deliver quality and envelope-pushing lyrics. He adds, “songs with a unique way of presenting their topics and themes are highly preferred, as well as how they use their words to create an image of what they want to communicate. Also, the overall theme of their demo is a factor for me as a producer, but the team also recognize that it is but merely a glimpse of what the songwriter was going for, so the quality of the demo’s production is negligible. It’s really more of the quality and dynamics of the melody, and most importantly the lyrics.”

Melvin Moralles shares the same sentiment, but points out the importance of choosing the best song that would represent his cluster. “Personally, it’s all about the totality of the package, and how it would best resonate to a diverse but broader listening public: from students to adults, regional folks to international music fans.”

PhilPop Songwriting Festival 2020 is an initiative of the PhilPop Music Foundation, chaired by Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan. This year’s PhilPop is co-presented by SMART, MERALCO, and MAYNILAD, with official partners, Warner Music Philippines, Kadasig, and MinPop.

The Bernadettes return after more than a decade of absence in the local music scene with a new single, “Worthless Beautiful”, now out on all digital platforms worldwide via Lilystars Records.

“Worthless Beautiful” is another fuzzy, garage rock anthem in the similar vein as their breakout 2009 single “Let’s Make Babies,” but this time, the band documents life under the old normal, reminiscing about drinking the night away with like-minded individuals and enjoying freedom in the best way possible.

Lead vocalist Paolo Angeles shares, “Worthless Beautiful” deals with freedom in doing the things you want, the way you want it; no matter how wrong it might feel. The result may be worthless, but there is beauty in its pursuit.”

With the uncertainty of the pandemic affecting the way people lead their lives, “Worthless Beautiful” may come off as a distillation of nostalgia, joy, and helplessness, all rolled into a party that never was. But things are different now, and the sentiments in the song only serve as a figment of a distant memory, a rallying cry in our self-imposed quarantine, a gut-deep wallowing in self-pity.

Taking into account the current social context, The Bernadettes’ latest track functions as both a pre-pandemic recollection and a bittersweet reminder of those years that held promises of eternal youth and fun—snotty punk rock and all.

“Worthless Beautiful” is the first of the four songs that the band has already finished recording with producer Dok Sergio at JNR Studios. According to Paolo, the alternative rock outfit is slated to release a full-length album next year. “The plan is to have the other 3 songs remastered and have them released intermittently,” The Bernadettes’ frontman reveals in a statement. “Of course, we would need to go back to the studio to record more songs. Maybe after the pandemic.”

Maris Racal

What’s new from Maris Racal? Aside from making a name for herself as one of the breakout young actresses of her generation has successfully dabbled in writing her own songs and challenging industry expectations with her intimate and refreshing take on pop music. From penning the chart-topping confessional “Ikaw Lang Sapat Na” to collaborating with Rico Blanco on the city pop-influenced ditty “AbotLangit,” Racal is surprisingly an effective chronicler of love anthems for the modern age—a guitar-toting songstress known for balancing commercial appeal with artistic integrity.

With “Not For Me”, Maris Racal’s latest single putting a spotlight on her songwriting strengths. Maris Racal explores the complexities of romantic uncertainty with a surprisingly nuanced approach—unfiltered, no longer afraid of possibilities, and ready to own the moment.

Bursting with youthful fervor and charismatic edge, Maris Racal stretches her introspective side of music-making to interesting places, while retaining the accessibility of her recent crossover hits. Her resounding confidence translates perfectly into the musical output, but it’s her conversational and matter-of-fact songwriting style that earns the stripes, revealing a degree of self-assuredness that comes with experience.

Inspired by Britpop acts such as Aqualung and folk-pop chanteuses like Lily Allen and Regina Spektor, Racal wrote “Not For Me” not so much for intriguing unconventionality, but as an outlet to express herself in a way that feels truthful and inherently raw. The driving piano chords and the soaring arrangements give her storytelling a more authentic spin, lending it an effortless breeziness while making sure it doesn’t lessen the emotional impact of the song.

 “Not For Me” is out now on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines.

JannineWeigel

JannineWeigel the first song has officially released ‘Passcode’ via innovative new label, RedRecords, is produced by the Grammy-nominated record producer Tommy Brown, renowned for his work with Ariana Grande, Chris Brown, Fifth Harmony and more, ‘Passcode’ is a euphoric dance-pop anthem. It was co-written by Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez and it’s a song equipped with the sort of irresistible chorus that’s bound to get stuck in your head.

The single is accompanied by a dazzling music video directed by Philip Rom Kulleh. Some of Malaysia and Thailand’s biggest TikTok influencers feature amongst the cast of the video, shot and produced in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The single marks the arrival of a new wave of Asian pop music. A-Pop is ready for its moment in the spotlight. It’s a fitting global introduction for Weigel, who is already a superstar in Thailand. “I’m so excited for everyone to hear ‘Passcode’,” she says. “I love that it captures my personality perfectly – fun and bubbly, but with a little bit of an edge.”

Weigel is an artist who connects on a universal scale at the same time as forming an intimate bond with her fans. Her infectious personality has already helped her reach eye-popping numbers on social media. She has 3.6 million subscribers on YouTube, 3.2 million followers on Facebook, 1.7 million on Instagram and more than 500,000 on TikTok. She’s an artistic force of nature. Although she has only just turned 20, Weigel has already had a successful career as an actor, model and influencer. But singing has always been her biggest passion. “Singing is what truly makes me happy,” she says. “I love how music can affect people and how a song can evoke raw emotions in all of us.”

Born in Steinfurt, Germany, Weigel moved to Thailand when she was 10. She made her first musical waves when, as a teenager, she would upload cover versions of her favourite songs to her YouTube channel. A mix of her natural charisma and that mesmerising voice soon found a huge audience and Weigel became the first Thai singer to receive YouTube’s highly-coveted Gold Button.

Weigel is an apt first signing for RedRecords, the exciting new joint venture between AirAsia and Universal Music Group. The label is committed to shining a light on the talent that lies within ASEAN, devoted to developing Asian artists and putting Asian pop music on a global platform. It’s a region full of pop superstars waiting to be heard. RedRecords CEO Hassan Choudhury remarks, “When [CEO of AirAsia Group] Tony Fernandes and I became aware of Jannine, our backgrounds in music and entertainment told us that this was an artist primed for worldwide success.” He continues, “With the ambition we have for RedRecords, along with the extensive global marketing resources at our disposal, Jannine was the obvious choice as our first signing,” says Choudhury.

In the US, RedRecords have partnered with iconic label Def Jam Recordings, where artists such as Kanye West, Justin Bieber and Alessia Cara are continuing its illustrious history, to release Jannine’s music. It’s the sort of lineage to which Weigel belongs. “I want to be able to inspire people out there,” she says. I feel like I’m proof that as long as you never give up, anyone can have a shot at achieving their dreams, no matter where they come from.” A daring new talent in pop music has arrived. ‘Passcode’ is just the beginning for JannineWeigel and RedRecords.