With timeless pop-rock anthems that cut across generational lines, Rivermaya has easily cemented their place as one of the most important Filipino bands of all time. Their songs have served their purpose as great anchors for intimate conversations and as a source of comfort for every Filipino yearning for music they can call home.
Warner Music Philippines, one of the country’s biggest record labels is celebrating their 30th year in the industry with an extravagant compilation, featuring a star-studded lineup of their own signed and managed talented artists, showcasing the diverse and vibrant music scene of today.
Before this project came to life and earlier this year, the label kicked off ‘We Play Here’, which is a series of live performances and events to bring fans as well as local and international artists even closer together. Its success was evident because the kick-off ‘We Play Here’ event held at Samsung Hall at SM Aura last April 27 headlined by Felip, Dilaw, Lola Amour, Leanne & Naara and more was joined and well-loved by lots of OPM fans.
"A first kiss is rarely ever planned. In a paradisiacal time and place… when emotions are ripe… it just happens." Multi-talented and multi-awarded artist NICOLE LAUREL ASENSIO is all set to release her latest single "KISS ME NOW." The original composition will be released on all digital platforms.
BACK STORY
"I’m not usually the type to let things just happen… but perhaps I was missing the thrill of the unknown… I needed a change of environment… so I hopped on a 3am bus alone to Baguio and booked myself an afternoon session in Openheaven recording studios for the first time. Producer Gabe Dandan (who I had co written with for my previous releases “Bawal” and “What Matters Most” was tapering off a Baguio series of gigs and met me at the studio to join in the collaboration. Initially I had planned to work on a different song, award-winning producer Shadiel Chan welcomed us into his studio and introduced me to his band," recalls Nicole.
Under the partnership, SME Philippines will distribute Offshore Music’s catalogue globally and work together to build strategies in marketing, media promotion, artist development, brand partnership, and synchronization.
Offshore Music is headed up by Ely Buendia, a Filipino rock icon responsible for writing and producing some of the most commercially and culturally successful songs in the country, including music for ‘90s alternative legends, The Eraserheads. The Manila-based label is home to carefully handpicked artists and bands, including Apartel, Ena Mori, Pinkmen, Sulo, Sansette, Eliza marie and Toni Panagu.
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To truly feel the essence of Manila, let the melodic tunes of Lola Amour’s Raining in Manila and Young Cocoa’s Manila transport you – whether you’re walking down the streets or just vibin’ on the sidewalks. You can also listen to the classics through the Best of Manila Sound playlist such as Hotdog’s Manila and APO Hiking Society’s Pumapatak Ang Ulan.
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The six-piece band from the north composed of the core duo of vocalist and lyricist Dilaw Obrero and guitarist Vie Viloria, drummer Tobi Samson, bassist Wayne Dela Rosa, guitarist Leon Altomonte and keyboardist En Altomonte is thrilled to reach a significant achievement together.
Filipino singer-songwriter Clara Benin drops a song about leaving the past behind, and embracing the newness that comes with it.
On her new single “small town,” the Parallel Universe artist continues the journey of acknowledging that the world is changing and that unlearning people and places could be an enriching way of taking control of one’s life and destiny.
“small town was inspired by my high school experience living in the province, where it was inevitable to bump into someone you know when you're out in public,” Benin reveals. “It's a post-breakup song about trying to find yourself again and struggling because everything around you reminds you of your ex.”
Amid massive demand, popularity, and influence of Pinoy Pop or P-Pop right now in the landscape of the Philippine music scene, the home of the finest Original Pilipino Music (OPM), Universal Records Philippines along with SHOW Co., Ltd. have agreed to form a strategic partnership to further strengthen its hype and exposure here in the country.
It also aims to normalize giving the best possible talent and entertainment in today’s mainstream local and even international scenes, followers and supporters of P-Pop while contributing in promoting the one-of-kind Filipino culture and artistry as well.
Present at the contract signing ceremony were Universal Records Operations Manager Peter Chan, Managing Director Kathleen Dy-Go, along with ShowBT Korea, SHOW Korea, and SBTown Philippines CEO & President Geong Seong-Han, also known as Tatang Robin, with Ethan Yang, and Adie Hong.
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Filipino alternative pop band Any Names Okay has finally dropped their much-awaited sophomore EP, Leaving Home via Sony Music Philippines. Taking a huge step forward in terms of musical and creative direction, the 6-track release digs deeper into the journey of navigating adulthood and embracing the uncertainty that comes with the process.
“As a band, we’re maturing in our songwriting and the way that we operate as creatives,” shares the five-piece outfit. “We want to grow old with our listeners—which can be scary, but very exciting. A lot of those fears and joys can be found in this collection of songs.”
Lyrically, the band’s new EP, Leaving Home expands on introspective and existential themes—sometimes rendered in emotionally blunt details, but most of the time, exhibiting some of the growing pains that one has to go through in their transitional period towards maturity. The promising newcomer explains, “We’ve all been through the wringer the last few years, and this was a much-needed emotional release for everyone. We believe that a thorough listen of the EP, however, still shows that same heart, energy, and sincerity that people have come to know of us.”
“The One” brings the old soul flavour into present times. A combination of Basically Saturday Night’s signature rhythm, silken guitar licks and their lead singer Migie Garcia’s deep smoky vocals, mixed with Nicole Laurel Asensio’s sultry yet powerful and unique tone and prowess in blending rock and jazz genres as well as beautiful embellishments from her formidable horn section.
On her first original single under the international record label, Benin honors memories like it’s a fundamental aspect of human nature. She finds refuge in reliving the past without any hint of regret, treating it as part of her personal journey.
Filipino experimental/alternative artist BLASTER redefines the Christmas tune canon with a new single that essays the profound sadness and grief of celebrating the holidays in the time of pandemic.
His latest offering “PASKO’Y HINDI NA MASAYA,” out today via Island Records Philippines, is dedicated to countless of people whose lives were hit hard by unfortunate circumstances, and are dreading of how challenging the days might be—be it experiencing Christmas with the loss of a loved one or abandoning expectations at least for this season’s run as a way of coping.
“This one is not really about celebrating Christmas,” says the eclectic singer-songwriter and producer. “It’s more of a tribute to those that we’ve lost, and a nostalgic yearning of how Christmas used to be.”
Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla stars as a romantic couple stuck in a time loop in the new music video for Ben&Ben’s “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay.”
Helmed by the band’s resident director Jorel Lising and written by Gaya Sa Pelikula creator Juan Miguel Severo, the song’s visual narrative explores the complicated relationship dynamics of two lovers who have lost and found each other in a fated cycle of events.
Complicated love in a time loop
Severo reveals that “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay,” a song that deals with the “possibility of another life to succeed in love,” complements the KathNiel starrer that he has in mind. Having written Hintayan ng Langit, an evocative piece that examines eternal romance in the afterlife, Severo decided to do away with another reincarnation story for his interpretation of the material.
“Then it hit me, what about a couple stuck in a time loop?”, the prolific writer points out. “What if every time one dies, they go back to their first date with one of them carrying memories from their previous run? It took the band, Direk, and I a couple of zoom calls, brainstorming ideas to compound on that concept and get everything laid out before I presented it to KathNiel.”
The rhythms of each passing day have lulled, pushed, pulled and shaken us each into our new (I won’t say normal) courses. Over months, we have taken to new realisations and revelations of the soul. Some who had never touched a wooden spoon before have now become masters of the oven. Some have noticed that office hours have multiplied as work extended far past cubicle confines. Blazers paired with boxers have become a fashion statement, Some slept and slept and slept cashing in on years of sleepless nights from once working tirelessly. Some, a brave few, our front-liners have stayed on, fighting for us. After all, it was like we were in a backwards war, where the enemy was invisible and constantly around us and the only way to care for those we loved was to keep our distance and wear masks that hid our smiles from them.
I couldn’t help thinking— But what of those who have gone all these long months without holding the ones they loved? What of those who have gone many nights expressing their innermost desires and intimate moments through lenses and screens? What of those who had to bid a loved one farewell through an I-pad? What of wearing a mask under a shield, inside a car? —bubbles within bubbles removed from the life we knew? What of those who lost everything they once owned and were left with how’s and why’s? What about those of us who sat here waiting this whole time for someone to return and bring back a sense of the holiday spirit we were used to somehow?
Pushing forward amid limitations of a worldwide pandemic, PhilPop Festival Chair Ryan Caybyab shared, “We’ve planned for this year’s festival way back in 2019 when COVID-19 was nowhere in sight. When the pandemic hit us, we had to make a huge pivot in terms of the execution of most ideas, many of which were originally envisioned to happen in the usual, traditional in-person platform.”
Drawing inspiration from real-life experiences during the pandemic, UE-student dancers appeared throughout the music video with their unique interpretation on the material.
Indie pop outfit Gentle Isolation revisits the eternal appeal of their music favorites on “Sound Wave,” their latest single under Lilystars Records.
Written in 2014, the effervescent twee pop anthem pays tribute to the obscure pop heroes that inspired the band to make music. “Our latest track is an ode to the music that we held dear like one of our close friends: they come and go because of the inevitable proliferation of trends, but they’ll remain special in our hearts,” guitarist and vocalist Monch Cristobal says.
Orange and Lemons have proven time and again, that they’re capable of writing infinitely hummable, indie-pop classics that maintain a distinct sensibility and effortlessness amidst shifting trends. 
Alternative rock icon Rico Blanco spreads love and positivity amidst difficult times on his new single, “Happy Feelin”—out today, August 25, on all digital platforms worldwide.
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