James Arthur showcases grit, emotion and raw edge in new single “Blindside”

Following his recent return with new music, singer-songwriter James Arthur today serves up a superb offering in new song ‘Blindside’. Watch the Tim Mattia-directed video HERE.

‘Blindside’ is James at his very best, featuring a killer, top-down driving chorus and another belter of a vocal. Of the track, James comments, “Blindside is a song I’ve wanted to write for years, about falling in love with the right person at the wrong time. It’s an energetic song with a sad lyric and it really suited this new rawer style I was after.”

Kai Buizon delivers on the promise of her debut with new single “Kaibigan Lang”

The promising singer-songwriter expresses her thoughts on friendship, first love, and the blurred lines that overlap in the relationship

Breakout singer-songwriter Kai Buizon reflects on the blurred lines between young romance and friendship in her new single, “Kaibigan Lang”—out today via Sony Music Entertainment.

Inspired by a conversation between two friends, the folk-pop track depicts the innocence and uncertainty surrounding first love and its exciting yet confusing form. 

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Toyota lets you electrify your passions with the All-New Yaris Cross

Mobility company’s newest subcompact SUV is its most affordable electrified vehicle to date

Leading mobility company Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has energized its electrified vehicle lineup anew with the introduction of another highly anticipated subcompact vehicle, the All-New Toyota Yaris Cross.

As the latest addition to the automotive leader’s widest range of electrified vehicle offerings, the All-New Yaris Cross is expected to intensify Toyota’s drive for carbon neutral mobility with its attractive price point, making it Toyota’s most affordable electrified vehicle yet.

Sponge Cola finds connection in uncertain times on ninth studio album, Hometown, Part 2

The anthemic pop-rock album includes focus track “So Close,” featuring award-winning pop singer Morissette

Filipino alt-rock outfit Sponge Cola has officially dropped their ninth studio album, Hometown, Part 2 via Sony Music Entertainment.

Embracing the anthemic immediacy of their 2022 outing with newfound warmth and restraint, the four-piece band’s latest album proves to be a vital example of how music can be a therapeutic outlet for expression and healing. The new collection of songs also sees the band exploring themes of triumph over adversity, resilience, and unfulfilled relationships. It also serves as a continuation of the band’s full-length album, Hometown—released in December 2022.

As lead guitarist Armo Armovit describes it, Hometown, Part 2 is all about finding connection in uncertain times. “We explored new ways of expressing familiar feelings with renewed perspectives incorporating different production elements, arrangement choices, and improved approaches to performance.”

The title also speaks for itself, serving as a continuation of one’s story, much like coming home to rest after a long journey and staying an extra weekend to reset. The record’s songwriting, on the other hand, was inspired by the members’ collective and individual fascination with K-drama and documentaries, as well as first-hand experiences with real-life events.

Drawing a lot of inspiration from pop and electronic elements, the 19-track album is produced by constant collaborator Joey Santos of Love One Another Studios, who has worked with some of the biggest and most underrated Philippine acts, including Ang Bandang Shirley, syd hartha, Coeli, and more.

Armo explains, “Joey Santos did a great job crafting the treatment for songs and dressing them in colors and styles that best express the message. The process was very organic and natural.”

Hometown, Part 2 is accompanied by the release of its focus track, “So Close,” which features pop singer Morissette. The song was specifically penned by Yael Yuzon, and tackles the story of two people who have built a deep connection over time, but whose relationship never really progressed into something that could last a lifetime.

“It's a song that took me 20 years to write,” shares vocalist and guitarist Yael Yuzon. “Inspired by Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez and The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera, So Close talks about the possibility of a mirage in our poetic memory, a ‘what if’ that may have been nothing more than a light radiating from a dead star. We might just be romanticizing things.”

Other songs in the album include previous releases “Labis-labis,” a soaring tune that puts a uniquely captivating but relatable spin on the ‘love song’ format; “Hometown,” a grungy pop track with electronic textures and a catchy chorus; and “Siguro nga,” a pop-rock ballad based on a character study of a popular K-drama character. 

Track list:

1. Hometown

2.  Alamat (MLBB 5th Anniversary Theme)

3. Kung Ako ang Pumiling Tapusin Ito

4. Lumipas Ang Tag-araw

5. Laman Ng Panaginip

6. Labis-Labis

7. Siguro Nga

8. JAIRAH

9. Kung May Oras Ka

10. Signal #4

11. So Close (feat. Morissette)

12. Champions

13. In the End

14. Labis-Labis - Acoustic

15. Kung Ako ang Pumiling Tapusin Ito (Remix) (feat. Matthaios and Clien of ALLMO$T)

16. Kung Ako ang Pumiling Tapusin Ito - Acoustic

17. Siguro Nga – Acoustic (feat. Kai Honasan)

18. Siguro Nga (TMAC's lo-fi Mix)

19. Laman ng Panaginip – Acoustic

Sponge Cola’s Hometown, Part 2 is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. 

The pop-rock outfit will be officially performing the songs off their new record with an on-ground album launch in Eastwood City Central Plaza on August 12 from 6 pm onwards. Admission is free!

BIRDEE 王煒 To release new single “Best Mistake I Never Made”

The Sydney-based act will be in Manila this week for a series of shows

Photo credit: Kristina Yenko 

Sydney-based artist BIRDEE 王煒 is slated to release her triumphant new single ‘Best  Mistake I Never Made’ via Disruptive Entertainment.

According to the alt-pop singer-songwriter, the electro-pop track is about someone pleading for another chance, despite the situation being completely irreparable. 

BIRDEE 王煒 shares, “Best Mistake I Never Made is about a boy who wanted another chance that I never gave. You can call it a diss track, but to me, it’s being selfishly confident in having healthy boundaries. We tend to  focus on the mistakes we have made, but we never reflect on the mistakes we narrowly avoided.”

5 variety, comedy, and dating shows lead Netflix’s Japan slate of unscripted content

Netflix revealed an exciting Japanese slate of unscripted content, from outrageous variety shows to unique dating formats. At the APAC Unscripted Showcase, Netflix Japan Content Manager Dai Ota shared a peek at five reality series that feature Japan’s unique entertainment culture. “We’re excited to move into a new phase of our content strategy, ramping up our investments in unscripted and bringing new concepts to the screen. We want to elevate the unscripted category with great production values and storytelling from Japan’s most innovative creative voices,” Ota said.