Written by Elijah P. In the crumbling digital landscape of the production’s sonic palette, we hear producer-singer’s jhl and their haunting presence linger in the distance, moving away from the destruction and ultimately building a kind of paradise in the penultimate 2025 single “All Up in Your Head.” Their latest single “Everything you want” harnesses […]
REVIEWS
TRACK REVIEW: rhodessa – nananabik
Written by Louis Pelingen The streak of rhodessa’s refinement as a musician has only persisted since breaking through in 2023, with “Kisame” allowing her presence to shine in broad daylight. She continues to hone in on the well of OPM pop rock she only delivered with more exciting gusto, with the 2023 track “sa’yong sa’yo […]
EP REVIEW: Sift – What Lies Within
Written by Lex Celera After three years, five-piece metallic hardcore Cebu band Sift have put their debut EP. Sift is composed of members from various other hardcore bands, mostly under their shared imprint Hostile Youth Records. The six-track project entitled ‘What Lies Within’ includes two tracks from their 2023 demo listed at the end. ‘What […]
TRACK REVIEW: JRRD – Thrill
Written by Louis Pelingen Since last year, JRRD has been in a constant process of finding himself in the music that he makes. He started things off with an alternative pop sheen on his debut album, ‘001,’ that might have the queer longing and well-structured melodies out the door, but his production flair is something […]
TRACK REVIEW: Off to Neverland! – Boombox
The saturation of pop rock music feels like it has already reached a familiar endpoint. At this point, you would expect that specific bubble economy of guitar licks and post-Matty Healy vocal inflections to evolve, right? Well, Off to Neverland’s latest single “Boombox” doubles down into that space without pushing the envelope. With flourishing synthesizers, […]
TRACK REVIEW: ok bouquet – Internet
Written by Noelle Alarcon ok bouquet is a quartet hailing from Quezon City, proclaiming themselves as “Cubao’s finest pretty bois [sic].” Their debut track, “Internet,” oozes with punchy energy and lighthearted longing that begins to gnaw at the heart if you start to think about it too much. Truly, the three minutes and 54 seconds […]
TRACK REVIEW: NEW LORE – SUBSTACK GIRL
Written by Faye Allego Once known as No Lore (and no, not because they lacked one), members and visual artists Tita Halaman, Kim Escalona, and Carole Lantican begun crafting their audio framework that gained recognition for entry at the 36th AWIT awards and then reintroduced themselves as NEW LORE in late 2024 where they amped […]
ALBUM REVIEW: THUGSTA – THUGS 2 RICHES
Written by JK Caray THUGSTA’s debut album “THUGS 2 RICHES” leaves more to be desired for the Malate-based rapper, but the talent is evidently there. “THUGS 2 RICHES” chronicles the origin story of THUGSTA, the sacrifices and enemies he had to overcome to achieve the lifestyle he wanted. Right off the bat, “FIRST OF ALL” […]
TRACK REVIEW: DANTE – Yosi
Written by Louis Pelingen DANTE’s debut single plays things straightforwardly cool. His vocal theatrics sound natural amidst this brand of pop rock, all with flashy guitars, bright keys, and choppy effects that are placed organically within the song. Everything plays perfectly in portraying affection for someone that just can’t slip off his fingers, like smoke […]
SOUNDS OF THE SEA: Soft Things (Myanmar)
Within the largest city of Myanmar, Yangon, lie small yet meaningful bands like Soft Things, who are waving the flag towards the dream pop and shoegaze flourishes that echo across the city. Formed back in 2023, this tight-knit band is composed of guitarists Kaung Khant Htun and Nyi Ye Htut, bassist Kaung SI Thu, drummer […]