BEN&BEN – “Paninindigan Kita”
Filipino folk-pop collective Ben&Ben marks a new chapter in the band’s career with the effortless songwriting and anthemic pop soundof their 2022 single “Paninindigan Kita.” Written by Paolo and Miguel Benjamin, the upbeat pop song captures the fearlessness of fighting for someone you love despite the disapproval from the people around.
“It is also an ode to a lover who might be hesitant to take a step forward in the relationship,” says the nine-piece outfit. “It’s a heartfelt song that gives a balance between understanding where the lover is coming from, and a gentle reassurance that the one singing the song is ready and sure, after learning a lot so far about life and love.”
The new single holds a special place in the band’s catalog, being the first song that they recorded in an actual studio since the pandemic started.
DILAW, “3019”
Year after year, songs with powerful political messages pop up to create space for listeners to discuss local and global issues. After all, nothing unites people like music.
Dilaw Obero and Vie Dela Rosa, collectively known as Dilaw, take a serious stance on societal concerns through their persuasive lyrics, Their latest track entitled “3019” narrates the effects of corruption, emphasizing the government’s unjust ways, consistently tormenting minorities and aggravating the divide between social classes.
Talking about “3019”, Dilaw said, “Corruption has been a huge problem in our society. Speaking up for the oppressed and standing up to our oppressors, that is the main message of ‘3019’. With theater elements fused with heavy melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, the song is based on R.A 3019 also known as the ‘Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act’.
JIKAMARIE, “Aking Buwan”
The single “Aking Buwan” expresses pining for someone who doesn’t know you exist. It’s a parallel to admiring the moon which does not know that you exist to admire it. It unveils bittersweet sentiments because even then, the longing only grows stronger.
R&B-soul singer and songwriter jikamarie was raised by a musically-inclined family where her passion for singing manifested at an early age. She started to compose songs at age 20 as a way of expressing her feelings and finding solitude in her compositions as well. “I like the idea that I could keep writing songs and singing them as a career. I also believe in the saying, ‘If you pursue something that you love as a career, you will never have to work a day in your life.’”
OF MERCURY, CHANGIN’ Volume 2 EP
After dropping the Crazy Donkey-assisted track “New Highs” last month, alternative pop/soul trio of Mercury pivots toward a more experimental direction on their new EP titled “Changin’ Volume 2.” Embracing genre-melding tunes with fresh, innovative production, The EP sets the stage for a groovy kind of trip.
Co-produced by their former bandmate knōwmaad, the three-part release includes “Stresses,” a soulful, electro-pop anthem punctuated by retro-modern grooves; “Energy,” a club jam that articulates the frustration of enacting changes within a retrogressive system; and “Cholula (Cut You Loose),” a feel-good bop with laid-back funk influences.
“In this whole process, we explored new elements that we haven’t tried before,” shares the band in a statement. “Lyrics-wise, all the songs differ in themes from each other.”
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KEIKO NECESARIO, “Obra”
This time, it’s an all Tagalog EP from Keiko Necesario, a new release that speaks about love in its different forms. Joy, pain, hope, loneliness, contentment, loss, waiting and growth form the thematic thread of the album.
It’s a body of work that consists of a collection of stories with melodies. Her push ingle “Obra” is a song about the beauty of life and the personal development that comes with it. It celebrates being alive with a narrative about becoming and learning in the name of love.
DREAMCATCHER, [Apocalypse : Save us]
After much anticipation, Dreamcatcher finally drops their second album, the 14-track ‘[Apocalypse : Save us] as they embark on a new journey, making way for their ‘Apocalypse’ trilogy.
Following Dreamcatcher’s ‘Dystopia’ series, their new album ‘Apocalypse : Save us’ is a desperate plea and cry to save the planet from ecological damage and global warming. The title track “Maison” (translating to “home” in French) stays true to Dreamcatcher’s sonic identity and style based on rock genre and distortion bass. The track serves as a warning to deafened ears and those who are turning a blind eye to the environmental concerns surrounding everyone’s home, the Earth. In addition, the album presents solo turns for each member, which also marks the first album where all seven members contribute in songwriting.