Category: YEAR-ENDER LISTS

  • 200 FILIPINO SONGS IN THE LAST 25 YEARS (2000 – 2025)

    200 FILIPINO SONGS IN THE LAST 25 YEARS (2000 – 2025)

    For over the past 25 years, Filipino music has stretched its sonic possibilities tenfold with the rise of radio, television programming, and eventually, the almighty internet. It’s impossible to narrow it down from the 500,000-plus and counting songs that have appeared, disappeared, and reappeared on everyone’s feed, whether born out of street culture and technological limitations (budots), sheer magnitude and boundary-pushing releases (hip-hop), embarrassingly charming testosterone (pogi rock), or the kitsch of being “kikay” (P-pop). Filipino music has no boundaries, and it’s secretly injected every living being’s DNA with swagapino energy, an undying pride in hair gel and adobo, and a die-hard campaign to keep whatever’s left of “OPM” alive. The formula sometimes writes the future before it happens, only to be accelerated by present-day makers from a particular scene, beat group, or collective. But as the years go by, we all know how that “OPM” umbrella term begins to wither, with every corner of it blown out by Disco Moro bass or gabber-influenced rap music from SoundCloud.

    The list was able to see the burgeoning Laguna hardcore scenes (Richard Collier, Typecast), poptimist favorites (Sarah Geronimo, Sexbomb Girls, MNL48), the netlabels of yore (Ulzzang Pistol, Zaniel), yearning anthems from cult classic divebar shows (Ourselves the Elves), soundsystem culture heroes from the South (Junior Kilat), and many, many more.

    We at The Flying Lugaw present to you “200 Filipino Songs in the Last 25 Years.” Be warned: this list is highly subjective. What you think is top tier might be your very last choice, and whatever is missing from these 200 songs may not be your taste. But then again, we do not beg for authority, nor do we capitalize on the “end-all, be-all” tone that this list would most likely mistake itself for. If we seize counting down from 200 to 1, then this list wouldn’t be as exciting as readers would take a literal deep dive of this web page.

    The editorial team has sought to avoid duplication by not featuring more than one of the same artists twice in collaborations or if they mainly headline the song. The process of polling across different genre specialists, organizers, writers, artists, audience, discussing between the editorial team, listening, arguing, placing (not “ranking,” mind you), and discussing again the inclusion of every single song is based on our collective memory, the data, the numbers, the amount of research based on Archive.org pages, and most importantly, its impact, both public and obscure, from rave heads to rock purists alike.

    We care less of the ranking-like structure as all of these 200 songs are equally great and it should exist within and beyond a list this ‘ambitious.’ This is a result of one year in the making; balancing time to write several blurbs after our day jobs and school tasks, however, we still strive to achieve the balance that lists like these would attain for the benefit of both the writers, editors, reading audience .

    What matters most here is how we treat this list as a form of documentation: a roadmap designed to trace back the origins of a genre or how it was successfully mutated within the Philippine Islands. These 200 Filipino songs are at the dawn of this golden sun, and we are seeing it rise above the Pearl of the Orient Sea. Filipino music has talent, and you don’t have an excuse for sleeping on every single song on this list.

    Feast your eyes and ears on the 200 wonders of the 7,107 islands.


    200. Gimme 5 – Ikaw Na Na Na Na (2014)

    Gimme 5 was Star Magic’s answer at the height of the global boyband revival led by One Direction. They were five boys, one of whom the entire country had watched grow up on Goin’ Bulilit. Their carrier single “Hatid Sundo” had the full rollout. Yet the song that lingered was “Ikaw Na Na,” an album track that got its break in the OST of KathNiel’s Got to Believe. With no music video, therefore no feature on Myx, it still became the best Gimme 5 song. It was a dizzyingly simple confession of attraction, so straightforward and nervous that it sounds of someone who can’t even finish their sentence, repeating “ikaw na na na na.” – Jax Figarola

    199. cheeky things – korean blackout curtains 7ft (1 pc, not set) (2023)

    Entering a new decade brings in new bands with fresher takes on the shoegaze-emo-alternative sound, but only a few of them can pull off singing Tagalog lyrics over noisy distortions. Upon the release of their demo in 2023, cheeky things carved their own niche in the scene with “korean blackout curtains 7 ft. (1 pc, not set),” a song set on being a yearning anthem you can mosh to. The title alone is quirky enough, but the way it’s catchy, grungy, and twee at times makes it an instant classic among the alternative crowd. – Aly Maaño

    198. Breezy Boys, Breezy Girls – Langit Lang (2011)

    In “Langit Lang”, the beats aren’t that flashy, with the obvious flaws of lo-fi production despite it, but it didn’t matter to the Jejemon youths as the track struck a chord with their first taste of romance and heartbreak. Its oomph factor came from the rawness and emotionality that oozes out of each verse, a trait that compelled listeners due to how it spoke true to their experiences of love. 

    Comparing it now, the “nonchalant” youngins of today have a thing or two to learn about showing vulnerability to love and hurt in a way that “Langit Lang” showcases. – JK Caray

    197. Denise Julia – B.A.D. (2023)

    “B.A.D.” channels the smooth charisma and flirtatious swagger of 2000s R&B through sleek production, confident delivery, and teasing lyrics that are seductively playful. Despite being released in an internet-driven pop landscape, the track still captures the effortless ‘cool’ of the genre’s pioneers. On top of that, “B.A.D.” fully capitalized on Denise Julia’s rising social media stardom, transforming her magnetic online presence into a song that felt tailor-made for repeat listens, TikTok edits, and virality — proof that charisma is still music’s most valuable currency, regardless of whether it’s discovered through radio, streaming, or a For You page. – Paolo Elwick

    196. Polar Lows – Verses (2019)

    A cold loneliness with a center and a fleeting atmospheric depression are just two of the many more meanings of an actual polar low. Shoegaze often operates like this, like Polar Lows, spiraling in ways of hazy verges in shimmering textures of crestfallen infinitude. “Verses” within its walls of systems and guitars sparsely snap misty images of grit as it simultaneously injects itself with Megumie Alcala’s siren song, luring you inward to your own undoing. – Julia Harumi Kudo

    195. Emelette – Brave (2022)

    Hailing from Naval, Biliran, Emelette has released only a single track since her debut, but the sentiments that “Brave” touches on give it a memorable place in our list. 

    “Brave” stood out amongst post-pandemic indie songs for its hopefulness without being overwhelmingly bright. It skips the synthetic grandiosity some love songs try to evoke and instead goes for honesty, like a hand holding yours gently. In retrospect, “Brave” was a song about daring to love as much as it was about encouraging us to keep going, even after the lingering fears we had from the pandemic. – JK Caray

    194. Chillitees – Sama Na (2007)

    Chillitees infuse the creative scenery of Filipino soul with millennial cool, as heard in “Sama Na.” Playing with the power of repetitiveness and sampling, the crunch of the song’s bouncy riffs meld with Uela Basco’s smooth voice in a way that is utterly captivating. There is an initial hesitance in the track’s push and pull; a clever back and forth that manifests through the use of the looper. They ease this tension with their laidback lyrics, including a sudden spoken verse that seems to float through the clouds. Before indie sleaze was even conceived, Chillitees already started flirting with its youthful hedonism. – Noelle Alarcon

    193. Cup Of Joe – Multo (2024)

    From being a high school band from the north, Cup of Joe quickly cemented their place in OPM history by selling out arenas and dominating music charts. Garnering millions of streams, the track “Multo” from their debut album Silakbo was hailed Song of the Year in last year’s Filipino Music Awards (FMA). Poetically haunting, this synth-pop ballad captures the emotional collapse of reckoning with the past. From covers to cinematic edits, the song’s virality and success led it to become the OST for the romantic drama film ‘The Loved One’. In a heartbeat, “Multo” was able to move a whole nation and leave a lasting impression on listeners far beyond the small corners of their hometown. – Aly Maaño

    192. Techy Romantics – Out Of My Mind (2010)

    Every thud is a heartbeat, every fluttering of the hypnotic legato riff a whiff of ecstasy pulling you close. Techy Romantics’ indietronic classic “Out Of My Mind” always manages to turn our busy lives into slow afternoons of contemplation whenever it plays on the speaker. The tune reminds us to stop and smell the roses, and capture the present moment in its most intoxicating allure, even when our dissonant thoughts sing loudly of constant distractions. – Nikolai Dineros

    191. Zaniel – C2 NA RED! (2025)

    A definitive “post-internet” artifact, Zaniel’s track transcends its origins as a viral meme to a frequency of raw, lo-fi honesty, capturing the hyper-specific Filipino suburban aesthetic.  It serves as a time capsule of the sari-sari store culture that proves apple flavored digital sincerity can define the modern OPM zeitgeist.  “C2 NA RED!” is a song that is as much about the medium of the internet as it is about the music itself. – Adrian Jade Francisco

    190. Cutie Uyyy – Soulthrll (2020)

    Circa 2020, we had no direction or connection, but we had music. And somehow we also had “CUTIE UYYY”. You could be stuck in lockdown, stuck in love, stuck inside your own personal veneers of stagnancy, and still dance. The laidback melody of Soulthrll’s voice didn’t heal or prove us a lifeline, but it gave us a way to move while things were not fine. Without the actual intent of being political, the song was able to instill immunity through hope, because the world was scared, but people decided, however briefly, to be happy together. And if love is complicated and all-encompassing; ever-changing but radical—unfailingly, in all the ways, then maybe that was it: dancing a banger Bisayan lovestruck song in a box because that screen was all we had. Finding another person through a screen, to feel connected; to feel human. “CUTIE UYYY” helped us refuse to simply let one moment be the whole story. We were stuck. But we danced anyway. – Julia Harumi Kudo

    189. Hazylazy – Juxtapose (2020)

    Born in the restless and experimental spirit of the early 2020s, “Juxtapose” functions as a critical “lockdown anthem,” a cerebral autopsy of the modern ego. Hazylazy’s track creates a powerful juxtaposition of physical isolation versus digital explosion. Its self-produced internal conflict is transformed into an expansive, atmospheric masterpiece that resonates far beyond the bedroom walls where it was conceived. Encapsulating that the most cerebral indie rock doesn’t need a stadium — it just needs a restless mind. — Adrian Jade Francisco

    188. Janno Gibbs – Pinakamagandang Lalaki (2004)

    Janno Gibbs is sexy, and he knows it. In this classic OPM hit, Janno envisions himself as the perfect male specimen, donning a polo suit of the finest weaves of fabric to hide a body of pure muscle and high-grade testosterone, on a frame sculpted by Hephaestus himself. He struts freely in pointy, Marikina-grade shoes with his iconic goatee-moustache look (freshly trimmed), and a pair of aviator glasses of a warm tint to signal his uncontainable sex appeal. But beyond the veil of grandstanding and delusion, Janno, the romantic crooner that he is, sings only out of the pure joy of being loved by his woman the way he deserves. – Nikolai Dineros

    187. dwta – Santigwar (2022)

    At first, “Santigwar” sounds familiar to fans of folksy provincial pop. Its chord progressions resemble tunes like “Balay Ni Mayang.” Although such songs are beautiful, “Santigwar” is more ambitious. Singer dwta’s airy-fairy soprano makes the Bicolano lyrics seem unequivocally kilig to non-speakers. In fact, they paint romance as an agonizing, confusing process. The narrator seeks a santigwar (faith-healer) to cure the mysterious symptoms of love. Subtly darker musical cues, particularly in the guitar, highlight the mystical themes. “Santigwar” plunges into the shadowy depths of love, with Bicolano culture laying the groundwork for its enchanting tale. – Julienne Loreto

    186. Dilaw – Uhaw (2022)

    Dilaw’s initial beginnings are steeped in their theatrical showmanship, a characteristic that allowed them to rise to the eventual spotlight. Yet, “Uhaw” offers a restraint that broadens their overall musicianship. Plopping them straight into this glistening piano ballad that eventually opens up more, bringing in a shuffling groove and a synth solo section that reinforces Leonard Obero’s thirst for that evocative love. One that’s on the cusp of getting closer.

    This song eventually emphasizes Dilaw as a band worth observing six hours away from the Metro, where sincerity has always been cherished from the start, but they’re now willing to carve out dimensions around it. – Louis Pelingen

    185. 1:43 – Sa Isang Sulyap Mo (2011)

    Outside of its television exposure, “Sa Isang Sulyap Mo” by 1:43 struck the balance between its boy-band outfit with an accessible, emotionally direct sound that dominated the “kilig pop” soundscape of the early 2010s. The infectious simplicity of the production made it treasured mainstay in the DNA of the OPM youth ballad catalogue, frequently serving as the quintessential soundtrack for your JS proms and an essential on the playlist of every Filipino who owned a Samsung Galaxy S3. — Adrian Jade Francisco

    184. Honeydrop – The Place (2013)

    Honeydrop’s “The Place” is the warm, dreamy standout track from 2013 debut Prelude. With a soft vocal performance that seemingly floats over a delicate instrumental, it showcases Cebu’s indie scene at its best by painting the image of paradise where time stands still and love never grows old.

    The track’s optimism is simple and infectious, helping establish Honeydrop as one of Cebu’s most prominent indie acts of the 2010s. Years later, “The Place” continues to endure with the band’s September Fever 2025 reunion bringing together longtime fans and younger generations to prove that Cebu’s indie scene continues to thrive more than a decade later. – Paolo Elwick

    183. stab. – watchyoudie (2025)

    The song starts with an audio clip from Ozark. “If you want to stop me, you’re gonna have to fuckin’ KILL MEEEE!” yells Ruth (Julia Garner), about to embark on the classic eye-for-an-eye rampage. Cebuano band stab. taps into this sheer vengeful rage in “watchyoudie,” the highlight of their debut album ‘wounds of fury’ (2025). Thunderous guitar riffs and drums batter the listener’s ear as frontwoman Irish Alcano declares “I’ll live to watch you die” again and again. Few others in the scene can growl like she does, her control over her voice evident even as “watchyoudie” lets bloody wrath erupt. – Julienne Loreto

    182. ALAMAT – LuzViMinda (2025)

    P-Pop boy band ALAMAT has always pushed the limits of the wider OPM scene, blending high-gloss pop with traditional instruments. In the innovative “LuzViMinda,” the six members blaze through rap verses each written in their languages: Bicolano, Cebuano (Bisaya), Ilocano, Kapampangan, Tagalog, and Waray. Engineered by ALAMAT’s Alas, its densely layered sonics keep up with every bar. The rapper also embeds his Tausūg heritage within “LuzViMinda”’s relentlessly paced beat via gabbang (Mindanao idiophone) flourishes heard throughout the song. Distorted synths and springy kubing (jaw harp) notes tie it all together. Patriotism has never sounded so goddamn cool. – Julienne Loreto

    181. Nateman ft. Lucky – IMMA FLIRT (2025)

    Nateman and Lucky’s “IMMA FLIRT” shows younger Filipino artists that it’s possible to turn influences into something that’s our own. By interpolating R. Kelly’s “I’m a Flirt,” they tap into the energy and swagger of mid-2000s hip-hop and R&B for a playful and bouncy track built on conversational flows, effortless chemistry, humor, charm, and personality. In doing so, they recreate the simple, lighthearted, and somewhat awkward thrill of flirting to create a track that never outgrows the fun of simply shooting (and hopefully making) your shot. – Paolo Elwick

    180. Lazy Suzan – Ayaw Ha (2007)

    Waray people are known for their fierceness and the certainty that resides in their tone. Hailing all the way from Tacloban, “Ayaw Ha” by Lazy Suzan is proof of this expressiveness, so full of emotion it’s as if the instruments are crying out fountains of tears themselves. The song ebbs and flows like the ocean’s tides; snare-driven verses of melancholy, and impactful, vigorous wails from the chorus until the end. An anthem of betrayal and holding onto love so much that it leaves indents on your skin, its Waray lyrics are a clever example of the Filipino languages’ ability to describe feelings down to their very core. Lines like “Nasiring ka nga hi ako la / diri na ak matuod ha imo” (“You say I’m the only one / I don’t believe in you anymore”) are powerful and straight to the point.  – Noelle Alarcon

    179. Cheats – Talk (2017) 

    For a time in the mid-2010’s, alternative rock outfit Cheats occupied a specific space in the scene: that of spirited, unbridled, millennial coming-of-age jams rendered best experienced live. Their second album, ‘Before The Babies,’ is a nexus point for this sort of feeling. The album’s standout single “Talk” is more mellow than the other tracks they’re known for; yet it carries a profound sense of sincere optimism only a band like Cheats can eke out without any hint of self-aware loathing. In between the anthemic group vocals and the sprightly drums, the track ebbs and flows, invoking all of the feels at just the right moments. – Lex Celera 

    178. Sinosikat? – So Blue (2007)

    SinoSikat? was Kat Agarrado’s solution to a problem: she listened to so much music that she couldn’t belong to just one. “At some point gumagawa ako ng mga bands. I had a blues band, I had a jazz band, I have SinoSikat?”, moving between bands and sounds until the only category that made sense was something both personal and local: Pinoy Soul. “So Blue” is that spirit in motion; it’s happiness from knowing that happiness is coming despite the despair. It’s coloring outside the lines, and seeing life be not just blue, maybe, even more than blue; it could be life endlessly opening. – Julia Harumi Kudo

    177. Such – Run (2011)

    One of the utmost knockout successes on ‘Forward To Hastings’, “Run” takes an unfailingly recognizable story—being exhausted by a relationship that no longer works. Built around the cyclical command of its title, the song turns post-ironic ruin into motion: when there’s nothing left to explain, you leave. ‘Run’ paces and faces places where panic and relief can occupy the same sentence. It may not reinvent the breakup song, but it understands why the form keeps returning. – Julia Harumi Kudo

    176. Plane Divides the Sky – Like A Machine Made for Spinning (2003)

    Elder millennials who grew up on Myspace and frequented iconic music venues like B-Side and Route 196 would definitely know about Plane Divides the Sky (PDTS). From their debut album, Panic in the Skies, “Like A Machine Made for Spinning” is the seminal track that sealed their name in the post-hardcore scene. Its official music video, which once aired on MTV and UNTV, is already considered lost media. But earlier this year, the MV was reuploaded on the band’s Facebook page, unlocking a core memory for many listeners who were once teenagers banging their heads as they discovered the song for the first time. – Aly Maaño

    175. 8 Ballin’ – KNOW ME (2021)

    Despite the side-eyes that “KNOW ME” was put under at the time, one thing’s for sure: 8 Ballin’ knows how to turn sleaze sound intoxicatingly addicting. They certainly provide enough melody and attitude that rides upon a woozy beat, complimenting each member’s distinct delivery before it leads to R!S’ instantaneously catchy hook as they get high and allure the women that they find fancy.

    It’s those qualities from 8 Ballin’s skillset that cement “KNOW ME” as a song that works as an immediate party jam, one that easily pulls you in every time you hear it. – Louis Pelingen

    174. Reese Lansangan – Home (2016)

    If you’ve ever had an indie phase in the 2010s, Reese Lansangan is a household name you can’t forget. Originally written as a wedding song, her single “Home” became the OST for Boys’ Lockdown, a Philippine BL web series that aired in 2020. Honest and sincere, it eventually became the soundtrack for ordinary listeners who held their own interpretation of the song. As an artist who pays attention to lyrics, Reese indeed has her way of getting into your head through words that hit close to home. – Aly Maaño

    173. Floetics – Patawarin Mo (2008)

    Formed in 2002, California-based Floetics combines the trappings of the hip-hop genre of their time in their respective sleeves: melodic rapping that’s rhythmically dense and heavily syllabicated, laid over simple piano beats. Floetics’ most memorable effort comes in “Patawarin Mo,” rife with apology-driven lyrics. “Patawarin Mo,” and Floetics whole body of work, underpins Philippine hip-hop’s longstanding connection to its global roots by way of seamless codeswitching, drawing deep from the well started by Francis M. – Lex Celera

    172. Sleep Alley – Di Naging (Tayo) (2019)

    When Sleep Alley released “Di Naging (Tayo)” in 2019, the band was already looking back on a familiar chapter of OPM. Built around guitar riffs, driving basslines, and soaring vocals, it tells the painful story of loving someone who doesn’t feel the same way—with the refrain “hindi ako ang pinili mo” capturing that frustration perfectly.

    Yet the song is about more than just rejection. Its nostalgic sound allows the band to explore acceptance and self-reflection through a genre that many listeners already know. After Aly’s death led to the band’s disbandment in 2026, “Di Naging (Tayo)” remains a poignant snapshot of what Sleep Alley brought to modern OPM. – Paolo Elwick

    171. Gasulina – Fueled (2012)

    If Gasulina had one job, it was to keep the tank running—and “Fueled” makes a pretty good case for why they did. One of Cagayan de Oro’s best-known rock exports, the band turned late-2000s gigs into long-haul mileage, taking their sound from CDO to stages in Manila and Cebu, including UP Fair and Sonic Boom Sinulog Blast-Off. “Fueled” captures that momentum at full throttle: emotional, restless, and built to hit hardest when the amps are turned up. — Adrian Jade Francisco

    170. The Line Divides – Day Dream Dance (2009)

    The Line Divides’ “Day Dream Dance” carries the restless charisma of pop-punk, driven by a distinctively scratchy, earnest teenage tenor that makes every lyric feel like a monologue entry from a coming of age movie shouted from the back of a crowded gig. Hailing from Lapu-Lapu City, the band captures the youthful urgency of Cebuano indie music without losing the messy sweetness of adolescence. – Faye Allego

    169. Morissette – Akin Ka Na Lang (2014)

    Even the likes of Ariana Grande are impressed by the nonpareil caliber of Filipino singers. While talented vocalists are dime a dozen in our country, many of them are stuck doing covers. Morissette’s “Akin Ka Na Lang” is one of the 21st-century’s defining Tagalog ballads. The mellow tempo and dramatic strings hearken back to classic diva traditions, but the song is truly hers alone. Switching between her mid-range, upper belts, and whistles with ease, Morissette proved with “Akin Ka Na Lang” that the public is still hungry for original birit songs. – Julienne Loreto

    168. Richard Collier – Reclaim The Night (2008)

    Laguna’s hardcore scenes have birthed branches of post-hardcore and emo bands ever since the dawn of the 2000s. Arguably, the cataclyst that set of a nationwide movement just so happens to be Richard Collier, a quartet that has now transferred to the world of post-punk called The Skeleton Years. But back then, with the help of takefour collective and Counterflow shows, Richard Collier’s everlasting influence in the emo scene can be heard in “Reclaim the Night.”

    As our forefathers of the ’emo’ such as Typecast, Walk Me Home, and Effinboiche told their stories of angst and aching pain, Richard Collier prompted themes of self-doubt and mortality. Unlike their contemporaries, their take in the genre was evergreen because their songs never seem to show any doses of juvenility nor peter pan syndrome. They just so happen to become themselves, a timeless showcase of what and how emo came to be in the future. – Elijah Pareño

    167. OJ River ft. Ives Presko – Gusto Ko Pa (2017)

    Before all the Bawal Clans and the solo careers that pivoted both of their paths post‑pandemic, it’s worth talking about the direction OJ River and Ives Presko chose to delve into through their one‑of‑one collaboration “Gusto Ko Pa.” Backed by a nocturnal instrumental — a menacing trap hi‑hat and kick, OJ River’s swaggering timbre, and Ives Presko’s  very  2010s  fuccboi  attitude — the song kicked off a generation that would later be unintentionally copied by countless imitators wishing to replicate that same authentic swagger. – Elijah Pareño

    166. Ice Seguerra – Pagdating ng Panahon (2001)

    Few ballads from the 2000s embody longing as accurately as Ice Seguerra’s “Pagdating ng Panahon.” Built on a tender acoustic arrangement and an emotional vocal performance, the track transforms waiting into an act of devotion, perfectly capturing the devastating hope of loving someone despite uncertainty. 

    Its emotional pull, however, comes from how familiar that feeling is within Filipino culture, where love is often portrayed alongside patience, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment. But rather than just romanticizing heartbreak, the song sincerely embraces vulnerability — stressing that sometimes the deepest expressions of love happen not in being loved back, but in choosing to keep hoping anyway. – Paolo Elwick

    165. Outerhope – Twenty Years From Now (2009)

    There’s only one thing certain about the future: It’s a mystery, but instead of mentally spiraling into the unknown, Dreampop brother and sister duo, Outerhope, quells the dread with their 2009 track “Twenty Years From Now”. The track is exemplary for the duo’s unique soundscape: deftly playing with a double-helix of dissonant harmonies being appeased by ear catching melodies, instilling into the listener a sense of hope for whatever may come. Although Outerhope’s releases have been few and far between over the years, listeners have always made their way back to this song, whenever a reminder that the future doesn’t have to be so bad is needed. – Rory Marshall

    164. Rusty Machines – Can’t Hardly Wait (2014)

    The strain of local indie rock enters the 2010s with a blinding spark and sentimental sheen, and Rusty Machines embodies such qualities on “Can’t Hardly Wait”, one of the four tracks from their debut EP, ‘City Lights’. Iggy San Pablo expresses that romantic yearning so tenderly, vocally cycling “with you” as the guitar riffs and garage rock grooves ramp up into a blistering tempo.

    While the band has been on hiatus since 2022, the sentimentality still remains. Even if time and distance become yearning’s enemy, the need to be with someone you love will always prevail.  – Louis Pelingen

    163. Undercover Grasshoppers – Let Go (2012)

    Serving as the closing track to their only official studio album, ‘Crop Circles’, “Let Go” by Undercover Grasshoppers is a testament to the band’s unique sound. Experimenting with genres like new wave and classic rock, songs like “Let Go” shook up the early 2010’s Cebu scene, creating a soundscape that is both accessible yet transformative. Fitted with dramatic imagery in the song writing, a passionate vocal delivery from lead Cilee Kuizon, and the sonic guitar riff that plays throughout the track, this track is a shining example of the innovative approach that they had with their music. – Rory Marshall

    162. Gibraltar – Gibraltar (2023)

    Hailing from Zambales, Malaysia, and Metro Manila, dark hardcore band Gibraltar emerged from the underground DIY scene to become a vital voice against state corruption. Frequently one of the most awaited acts at solidarity gigs and other adjacent hardcore shows from either Still Ill Records, Counterflow, or Pojax Kult, they channel the very values of hardcore that their culture is fighting for. In their self-titled anthem “Gibraltar,” the band blends chaotic, metallic crust punk with a staunchly anti-fascist, socially conscious manifesto. By demanding that physical fury in the mosh pit be matched by mental sharpness, Gibraltar galvanizes the local youth—proving that the most immovable art is forged when raw anger meets profound political reflection. — Adrian Jade Francisco

    161. Peachfuzz – Communication Breakdown (2006)

    Though “Communication Breakdown” by Peachfuzz became a local favorite on CDO radio, it captures the flip-phone youth culture in the mid aughts due to the opaque nostalgia the listener feels in their catchy whines and guitar chimes mimicking that of pogi-rock era soundscapes, showing that their confessional discography speaks from the heart. Peachfuzz never broke into Manila’s broader scene, however, their songs stayed in the top 10 of local stations for months on end, and to this day listeners from the era can still look back fondly and fluently on their enduring local imprint. – Faye Allego

    160. Noa Mal – Isolation (2021)

    Released in 2021 as part of ‘Impostor Syndrome’, Noa Mal’s “Isolation” highlights the potential of a computer, a microphone, and the confidence to share music online. Reflecting her fascination at the time with rough and raw recordings, the song’s unpolished character complements its themes of loneliness and longing.

    That DIY approach eventually took Noa beyond her bedroom in Lucena, where she built a cult following online and caught the attention of independent Japanese label Galaxy Train—who now releases physical editions of her albums. “Isolation,” then,  is a reminder that today, an OPM artist can start with a bedroom and still find an audience halfway around the world. – Paolo Elwick

    159. Daniel Padilla – Simpleng Tulad Mo (2014)

    Look, there’s actual merit to be analyzed here: Daniel Padilla had the chops to translate MJ Magno’s ABS‑CBN‑penned hugot into something charmingly his own. At the time when #KathNiel was selling faster than hotcakes, this was the turning point — actually the point of no return — for many artista‑sung ditties, where rock‑backed instrumentation became the main template for male artistas following suit. If Daniel could do it, everyone else could, but nobody could ever imitate his  2010s swagger — not even in a mall show near your barangay. – Elijah Pareño

    158. The Gory Orgies – Stalking Ely Buendia (2015)

    The Gory Orgies’ “Stalking Ely Buendia” thrives on abrasion by embracing a messiness built on distortion, grating guitars, and an unhinged title that’s sure to raise a few eyebrows. Emerging from the Mow’s underground scene that shaped generations of local acts, they became regular fixtures in community-driven productions like Salad Days, Alternatrip, Stay Useless PH, and Higad Productions because of noisy, unpredictable, and unfiltered performances. That energy bleeds into the track, where feedback, rough riffs, and bursts of electronic noise bury vocals under layers of chaos. In the process, “Stalking Ely Buendia” proves that, much like the underground gigs that embraced it, sometimes the most exciting music comes from letting things get a little out of hand. – Paolo Elwick

    157. Tabularaza – Shewowah (2007)

    Cagayan De Oro’s Tabularaza more than echoes the sound of their contemporaries in 2000’s OPM rock; they’ve run the gamut of the national circuit, playing alongside fellow hometown hero Gasulina. “Shewowah” is a well-loved gem of a track, especially in their locality: riveting anthem-worthy hooks uplift the song’s already energetic pace to greater heights. It’s one of those tracks that when heard live, at a particular time of your life, that will stay with you. – Lex Celera

    156. Jireh Lim – Buko (2011)

    “Buko” became one of those instances of how independent internet-based music and mainstream radio closed the gap in 2011. By tapping into a deep-seated cultural nostalgia for the”boy-next-door” harana, Jireh Lim turned a Youtube breakthrough into an inescapable staple of the acoustic pop genre. The single was then included in his debut album in 2013. Its stripped-down charm and the presence of Lim’s tracks on teleseryes established its familiarity in the landscape of the 2010s era of local music. – Adrian Jade Francisco

    155. Geiko – Sol at Luna (2018)

    “Sol at Luna” is a star example of the magic that can come from scenes outside of Manila. The indie singer-songwriter from Pangasinan, Geiko, was able to somehow convey desperation for your beloved so beautifully, all from their bedroom. The song is effervescent in its charm. Geiko’s lyrics shimmer with beautiful imagery and the production’s DIY approach adds to its authenticity and comes off as nothing other than endearing and genuine. The track was a breakout moment for geiko, as their following quickly grew, wanting more of geiko’s honeyed lyrics and enchanting dream-like melodies. – Rory Marshall

    154. Foc Fashion – Vega vs Dhalsim (2018)

    Guitar-driven and fast-paced, with roaring vocals to boot, “Vega vs. Dhalsim” carries characteristics that have driven many garage bands over the past two decades. And while the track was released as part of the band’s self-titled EP in 2018, vestiges of the track – jam sessions and live performances – remain on the internet as far back as 2011. Fifteen years later, the band is seeing itself anew under different circumstances (the original three-piece are “poetically scattered around Southeast Asia”) and a different, more electronic-forward sound, but Foc Fashion’s indie rock roots are more than worth looking into, beginning with “Vega vs Dhalsim.” – Lex Celera 

    153. Tether – Sikretong Darating (2015)

    Picture this: you just asked out your blockmate crush tonight. This is it, you’re in love for the first time. A dense wall of sound hits you and transports you back to your college years; back to Tomatokick and their iconic music nights, back to the hangout place you used to eat Liempo at as you gather the courage to confess, back to dive bars resided by amateur musicians with ambitions of “making it”. 

    “Sikretong Darating” rings reminiscent of these sensations. The track didn’t catch much steam outside their respective bubble prior to the hiatus, but the band started to earn a cult following a decade later within a new generation of gig goers. As it turns out, Tether’s work influenced a couple of newer bands in embracing a more chaotic sound, specifically with “Sikretong Darating” expressing Noise Music in a way that local audiences have never heard of before; tender, youthful and affectionate. – JK Caray

    152. Ciudad – My Emptiness (2008)

    Way back to their inception in the early 2000s, Ciudad’s brand of easygoing pop rock stood out from the rest of the local music scene’s fixation with alt rock. The band’s long-lasting presence in the OPM canon shows their commitment to their identity that gets more admirable as the years go by.

    Their song, “My Emptiness”, is a prime example of this. In the track, they mindfully tackle complex, mature problems without sacrificing the whimsical, bubblegum personality of their works. With the feat of creating a seemingly paradoxical track like “My Emptiness” work, Ciudad showcases the extent of their creativity that has contributed to the recurring prominence of the band even until today. – JK Caray

    151. Juana – Reyna ng Quezon City (2005)

    Every gimik or night out should sound like “Reyna ng Quezon City” by aughts darling Juana. It makes you want to cast out any worry and seize the night, because after all, you’re the queen of QC. It’s whimsical, it’s invigorating in its care-free attitude, and has a chorus worthy enough to raise your hands and shout after a night in Cubao. Juana was able to capture the freedom of youth in song, with its sentiment proving timeless as Gen Z blows it up on social media, instilling us with nostalgia for a kinder time. – Rory Marshall

    150. Just Hush – Shinobi (2017)

    Tondo-based 187 Mobstaz affiliate Just Hush operates on a language of his own for the bulk of his musical career: that of early morning trysts – or at the very least, the idea of it. “Shinobi” came at a time when fuckboy was still part of the normal parlance, electrifying the air with its hiding-in-plain-sight lyrics spoken in an affable, awkward cadence. It’s an instant mood changer in the car, and when performed live, a sonic panacea to quell any rage when played right after a moshpit-inducing track. – Lex Celera

    149. Sliz – Droga Ang Pag-Ibig (2022)

    If love comes in many forms, then love songs are no different. And Sliz, an artist from Dasmariñas, Cavite, just naturally seems to know this. “Droga Ang Pag-Ibig”, a high-pitched swag hymn about addicting super love, is just what we had to hear to remember all of devotion’s super cuts. When you’re into someone, the world doesn’t always just slow down in classical score; sometimes the air just sways differently as you walk home, birds chirping and all. As the song moved into mazes, “Nasa’n na ba ako? ‘Di ko din alam. Ganda naman ng mundo, sumasayaw, gumagalaw,” the person no longer recognizes where they were. The only thing they knew was that they felt alive, moved. – Julia Harumi Kudo

    148. Deanery – What’s Better Than Never (2011)

    “Love comes unexpectedly / let’s cross the sea together” are quotes plenty of authors wish they could have come up with. Vulnerability comes easy for Cebu’s Deanery, whose disclosures of the heart are capable of pulling from all the clever components of alternative music from the last decade. They blend these sounds into a cocktail, turning their influences’ notes into the band’s own unique flavor of sound. “What’s Better Than Never” is led by vocals that are undeniably post-punk; a tone that borders between the lines of cynicism and sarcasm, layered in between floors of reverb. The instrumentals that paint its canvas, on the other hand, take from the 2010s’ approach to pop punk—light and airy, with the tiniest hint of tension. For a band that promises to “make music whether or not people will get it or respond to it,”  their heartfelt creativity is truly worthy of response and attention. – Noelle Alarcon

    147. Peryodiko – Tayo Lang Ang May Alam (2014)

    “Tayo Lang Ang May Alam,” released in 2014, is a sturdy branch in the Philippine alternative rock family tree. Formed by frontman Vin Dancel, Peryodiko brought together established musicians from across OPM, including Rivermaya’s Kakoy Legaspi and Lampano Alley’s Simon Tan. Later members like Autotelic’s Josh Villena further extended that lineage, connecting different chapters of the local music scene.

    Its somber verses and riveting climax make it an affecting track on its own, while its connection to Up Dharma Down’s “Indak” adds another layer of lore. “Tayo Lang Ang May Alam” ultimately captures Peryodiko’s role as a bridge between different generations of Filipino music. – Paolo Elwick

    146. Nuncyspungen – Goa (2001)

    Out of Cagayan de Oro, Nuncyspungen composed a distinct sound in the Philippine underground rock scene with the dark, atmospheric track, “Goa,” first released on their 2001 self-titled EP and later featured on their 2004 full-length, captures the band at its most hypnotic—layering heavy guitar grooves and brooding melodies. More than a signature track, “Goa” stands as a reminder that the 2000s rock landscape extended far beyond Manila, with CDO’s independent scene producing some of the era’s most compelling and enduring sounds. –  Adrian Jade Francisco

    145. Cat Boy Jeepney Drivers – UNSINT A MESSAGE (2024)

    Laguna- and Pampanga-based electronic duo Cat Boy Jeepney Drivers channels youthful romance captured in the digital age, where whimsy is pixelated, where intent is expressed through emojis and quirky keyboard habits. “UNSINT A MESSAGE” is filled with multiple samples stacked on top of each other in a gentle caress, symbolizing one’s passionate feelings for another person. Behind the intensity of its production, however, there is a level of restraint that can be found, a kind of regret felt over things left unsaid. – Nikolai Dineros

    144. saki!, bixby, luvlxckdown – swagapino (2021)

    Pinoy pride can come in many different forms. For FilAm cloud rapper saki!, it involves snapbacks, polo shirts, and swag, as seen in his early 2020s soundcloud gem “swagapino”. In collaboration with fellow soundcloud artists bixby, luvlxckdown, and producer Greentop, saki! made a flex-heavy, Drain gang-esque anthem through in-your-face synths driving the melody, Vine-era memes serving as adlibs, and trap hi-hats scattered throughout the track. . The song serves as a reminder: the portmanteau goes beyond the tumblr-era meme of thick-rimmed glasses and Js on your feet, it’s a bonafide identity for pinoy youth in and out of the diaspora. –  Rory Marshall

    143. The Purplechickens – Dayami (2014)

    The Purplechickens’ sonically emotive and lyrically-loaded track “Dayami” is written in a that tickles that untapped part of the music scene that bands, from then and now, rarely commit to. 

    No other band has been as close to the controlled, poignant chaos The Purplechickens bring to the table. “Dayami” embodies this aspect to a tee; a poetic fiery track that occasionally combusts with raging empowerment and hopefulness. If you listen hard enough, you can still hear the titos of the underground music scene raving about it till this day. – JK Caray

    142. James Reid – Randomantic (2016)

    “Randomantic” ticks all the boxes for a pop hit: kilig-worthy lyrics, smooth R&B vocals, and a melody that never seems to leave your ears once you hear it. Tie all that with a teen heartthrob like James Reid and you have a smash record that will stand the test of time. Cheesy? Maybe, but that’s why we love it. Aptly released on Valentine’s Day of 2016, couples throughout the nation found an anthem for their romance, becoming the theme song for Valentine’s day every year after its release. – Rory Marshall

    141. Owfuck – Gin at Marijuana (2016)

    Beneath the deceptively catchy hook lies the underlying message penned in “Gin at Marijuana”. The rattling trap percussion captures a bombastic tone that Owfuck uses to their advantage, with their staccato flow delivered with an edge, all to highlight the contradictions of hip-hop street life being illegal, whilst corrupt government systems let the powerful figures do similar things and run away unscathed.

    Its overall lean and low-key approach allows Owfuck to slither with an approachable chorus, and then strike when their verses capture the brunt of their words. It invites you to acknowledge the flames wafting amidst all that smoke. – Louis Pelingen

    140. Material Support – Bougie Ass White Girl (2016)

    Queens, New York punk quartet Material Support made an anthem for the lactose-intolerant, yet it really isn’t about milk; the best punk songs rarely are. “Soy latte tastes like democracy” hooks absurdly and devastatingly in unison and in mayhem, spurring a new ethos of bourgeois resistance by a Filipina-fronted political hardcore punk band. “Bougie Ass White Girl” ferociously understood anger as their punk political lexicon. This is what pop sometimes forgets because people don’t just want art that reflects who they are; they want it to defy the odds—fight alongside them. After all, music is at its best when it dares to be raw, gritty, and defiantly itself. – Julia Harumi Kudo

    139. CLR – Rest Day (2018)

    Many rappers flaunt, but not all of them tell a story. CLR is Chester Lalinjaman Romo, also known as Cebu’s lyrical rapper—an artist who blends his unique style, reflective lyricism, and atmospheric production. One of his most influential songs “Rest Day,” is an ode to a time when all his creative energy can only be poured out during his day off from work. With a penchant for psychedelic visuals, the song reveals CLR’s world through an introspective lens, earning him a rightful seat at the table with contemporaries in the game. – Aly Maaño

    138. The Labrats – Dance Away (2015)

    Envisioning what feels like an explosion of brilliant colors between chilled-out verses, Cilee Kuizon’s quirky vocals holds elements of gospel music, complete with the clapping of percussion and neo-folk bright steel- string resonance in the guitar by Jad Bantug is the epitome of 2015 indie pop. The track entrances the listener to do exactly what the title suggests, to dance away to the kaleidoscope of sound, where each rhythm feels like a burst of colour and every verse carries the carefree spirit of youth. – Faye Allego

    137. RB Slatt – Pahna (2023)

    In the realm of post-T-Pain autotune trap music, the pandemic gave everyone with a DAW the leeway to become boundary-pushing. Artists all over the internet tested the absolute limit of how to stretch their vocal capabilities, may it be the soul-crushing redlining attitude of Sematary or the teenage angst of Jane Remover. Locally in the Philippines, artists like RB Slatt felt like a godsend — an answer to how Filipinos can excel in literally everything, even if it takes a lot of melodic acrobatics to make this song memed to death. However, with it being a joke to most rappers who couldn’t even croon to their significant others, RB Slatt does in “Pahna” what most of his contemporaries couldn’t execute: serenading in broken, stuttering feelings. A glitch yearning to belong. – Elijah Pareño

    136. Sandara Park – In Or Out (2004)

    While most novelty songs remain artifacts of their time, Sandara Park achieves the impossible with “In Or Out,” her 2004 hit right after rising to national fame in Filipino reality TV show “Star Circle Quest.” What once was a parody of her reality TV experiences could very well have become a stain in what has grown to be a stellar career in South Korea and beyond. It’s Park’s wholehearted acceptance of it that allows it to continue to resonate. 

    “In Or Out” is simple, catchy, and is definitely not Sandara Park’s magnum opus. But for a millions-strong audience that has witnessed her growth from novelty pop belter to second-wave K-pop legend. – Lex Celera

    135. KINDRED ft. Kiyo – Lambing (2023)

    For over a decade now, “idol” boy bands have been dominating worldwide. KINDRED, on the other hand, eschews the synchronized choreography and earworm hooks. In “Lambing,” they bring their signature Boyz II Men-inspired angelic harmonies alongside fellow Filipino R&B and soul powerhouse Kiyo. In lieu of the standard R&B/soul musical grandeur, however, “Lambing” opts for sophisti-pop gauziness a la mid-’80s Bryan Ferry. Amorous Tagalog lyrics sit atop lush synth-heavy production, tinged with bossa nova by way of loungey keyboard notes and jazzy programmed horns. “Lambing” takes us to a more elegant electronic paradise that we rarely hear from such acts today. – Julienne Loreto

    134. BP Valenzuela – Steady (2015)

    With “Steady” from her Debut Album, The Neon Hour, electronic pop artist BP Valenzuela’s ability to take full autonomy over how her chosen genre translates innocent reveries about coming-of-age and love is unmistakable. “Steady” is colored in with dreamy synths and percussion-driven computerised beats that appeal like clockwork to the heartbroken. At its core, the song became a catalyst for angsty romantics and was able to transcend into a timeless tune that speaks for anyone experiencing love. – Faye Allego

    133. Hambog ng Sagpro Krew – Ala-ala Nalang (2012)

    Within the local hip-hop context, nothing screams nostalgia like what Hambog Ng Sagpo Krew provided in their heyday, with “Ala-ala Nalang” representing it fully. Hambog sharply raps over a hip-hop remix of Yiruma’s “The River Flows in You”, with LUN handling the hook. Based on Hambog’s experience of moving away from the Philippines, that context echoes the sentiment of a relationship separated through distance that’s imbued with genuine pathos.

    This embodies the captivating, homespun quality sprinkled over these songs. Their emotive experiences still resonate through performances alone, allowing acts like Hambog ng Sagpro Krew to become more than just memories. – Louis Pelingen

    132. Sponge Cola – Jeepney (2004)

    In the mid-2000s, the term “Pogi Rock” was coined to describe bands whose appeal came from their “attractiveness”. Sponge Cola was lumped into this category, reigning on MYX charts despite being dismissed due to their looks. 

    Yet years later, overall reception of the band has skewed towards the positive. Within their catalog, “Jeepney” is the track that truly embodies their hugot romanticism that resonated with a lot of Filipinos. Aside from the band’s outstanding performance, the track becomes oh-so-palpable, you start to conjure up memories and emotions that never existed; creating a hit that stayed with the public conscious due to how real it felt like. – JK Caray

    131. Brownman Revival – Lintik (2005)

    Reggae had been in the Philippines for thirty years before it finally found a song the country could claim. From Cocojam in the late ‘70s to Tropical Depression’s breakthrough in the ‘90s, the genre lived mostly in bars and Boracay beaches, beloved in the south by way of Junior Kilat and largely overlooked by Luzon. Brownman Revival, who was primarily a reggae “covers band,” helped change that. Their 2005 debut “Steady Lang” reached national radio, and “Lintik,” an original in a catalog full of covers, became the one that stuck. Their brass-soaked groove made falling in love feel like a damn lightning strike! Decades on, the thunder still rolls. – Jax Figarola

    130. KZ Tandingan – Mahal ko O Mahal Ako (2017)

    “Hugot” culture peaked in the 2010s, when millennials got into spoken-word poetry, religiously watched AlDub, and shared hugot lines on social media as if their lives depended on it. Of course, “hugot” was also prominent in OPM. Pop songs spoke of romantic love and heartache, themes that were very personal, mostly cheesy, but always relatable. Among these anthems was KZ Tandingan’s “Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako,” which narrates the dilemma of choosing between someone you love and the person who loves you. Even if you’ve never been in a similar situation, the song instantly puts you in the narrator’s shoes and lets you express untold emotions as you sing along [mapapahugot ka na lang]. – Aly Maaño

    129. Sigaw Ng Tondo, Hukbalahap – “Buhay Ng Gangsta” feat. O.G. Sacred, Bruduzz (2008)

    The year was 2008. Jim Libiran’s ‘Tribu’ won several awards in Cinemalaya the year prior, including the Best Actor award for O.G. Sacred as Makoy. The gritty verisimilitude of ‘Tribu’ was in part thanks to its close consultation with the community it aimed to portray. “Buhay Ng Gangsta” carried the same effect by association: an almost elegiac retelling of gang culture in the Philippines, shy of 5 minutes. While ‘Tribu’ made the international circuit, it was the burgeoning computer shop culture and the early days of YouTube that propelled “Buhay Ng Gangsta” into widespread recognition up to this day, creating space for Filipino hip-hop to proliferate at a time when rock ruled the charts. – Lex Celera

    128. Irrevocable – I Wish I Did More For You (2018)

    Irrevocable’s fearlessness of intimacy and irate-lovelorn expression brought “I wish I did more for you” to its peak visceral promise. Harboring the inner turmoil of kinship or the lack thereof, Lenian Gaspar tenderly sneers out what we continuously and willingly fail to say to our parents; it’s regret and frustration, it’s sincerity and hope, it’s pop punk. While rocking out with the riff, it tugs your heartstrings in symphony, albeit being rigorously guttural nevertheless, turning this painfully ordinary urge to say I love you but ultimately not knowing how. It’s a pure pop-punk nudge because what is rebellion without universality? What is rebellion without love? – Julia Harumi Kudo

    127. Viva Hotbabes – Bulaklak (2004)

    Viva Hotbabes were playful mischiefs that celebrated sexual liberation during the softcore era at the turn of the millennium. “Bulaklak” showcases the use of figurative language that is common among Pinoy humor– the track wields a double entendre that contains multiple sexual innuendos tall while masking as a children’s tune sung by a girl group who wears femininity boldly, allowing the track to reach all demographics– it’s so catchy that it’s nearly impossible to not conquer every arrow mark on Dance Dance Revolution in Timezone. Though controversial, its danceability along with flared humor and provocation prove that OPM can be flirtatious and entertaining without intense ballads. – Faye Allego

    126. Repablikan – Paglisan (2005) 

    Whether under bass-boosted jeepney speakers that you can feel underneath your seat or in next-door computer shops while playing with webcams that barely crack 480 pixels, Repablikan is an essential artist of every Filipino’s childhood. They’re experts of the old-school Pinoy hiphop sound, where moderate, bass-drum-ridden beats and melancholy piano chords artistically frame confessions dug up from one’s heart. Their 2005 release “Paglisan” is proof that their charm still sticks after all these years. “Nadama ko na may kulang pa sa aking pagtayo; ‘yun ay di ko maabot dahil sayong paglayo” is one hell of a heartfelt bar. – Noelle Alarcon

    125. Chicosci – Chicosci Vampire Social Club (2006)

    Coming from nu-metal and hardcore origins, Chicosci’s sound shifted to a poppier, more melodic direction with their 2006 single “Chicosci Vampire Social Club.” Its anthemic approach and expressions of solidarity captivated the Filipino youth plugged into their MP3 players across the country. While self-serving, adolescent soliloquies seemed to be the trend for a lot of third wave emo, “Chicosci Vampire Social Club” was three minutes and two seconds of explosive drums and tenderhearted belonging. Punk-influenced riffs punctuate the promises Miggy Chavez pronounces with his signature whine—”I’ll raise my glass to you!” became the hard-hitting embrace sought by those outside of the status quo, even to this day. – Noelle Alarcon

    124. Missing Filemon – Sine-Sine (2005)

    Released in 2005 during the rise of Bisrock, Missing Filemon’s “Sine-Sine” uses the imagery of nostalgic shadow plays as a metaphor for life’s various joy-, pain-, love-, and uncertainty-filled scenes. Its Cebuano lyrics and imagery give the song a distinct Bisaya character while keeping the nostalgic experience of growing up universal and relatable. 

    More importantly, it’s songs like this that helped pioneer Bisrock—with the term itself reportedly coined in 2002 by Cebuano writer Januar Yap. “Sine-Sine” therefore stands as both a beloved Cebuano rock song and a reminder of how Missing Filemon helped establish regional music as an important part of the growing OPM landscape. – Paolo Elwick

    123. Halina – Kwarto Waltz (2019)

    What Halina does to mix pop conventions with traditional Filipino instrumentation is still a rare occurrence done perfectly. Through “Kwarto Waltz”, he weaves in the echoing shimmers of the rondalla across a lilting, psychedelic soundscape. Accompanied further by playful basslines and stomping drums, Halina’s soft-spoken singing imparts a pensive reflection of love that has been lost in time.

    Nothing has encapsulated the magnificence that this song still carries, not even in the slightest attempt of executing modern day chamber pop in the local music context. To synthesize the past and the contemporary to craft an unforgettable melody. A waltz cycling through its own melancholic loneliness.  – Louis Pelingen

    122. Michael V – Hindi Ako Bakla (2006)

    Michael V is undisputed when it comes towards musical comedy, and “Hindi Ako Bakla” is a great embodiment of why. In circling a 90s house beat that’s full of zany flourishes, Michael V’s vocal game and comedic chops are top-notch, singing with showmanship as he plays a character who’s cool enough to convince the audience that he doesn’t identify as gay, only to drop the facade and embrace that queer spirit wholeheartedly.

    It’s a tricky tone to walk, but Michael V’s charisma as a performer dodges the rough path and allows the song to become fun in its colorful, queerest way possible.  – Louis Pelingen

    121. The Beauty of Doubt – Ampaonarchist (2005)

    Throughout time, hardcore punk has acted as a vessel for some of the most important messages that humanity needs to hear. The Beauty of Doubt’s “Ampaonarchist” is another one of these urgent scrolls of wisdom, yelled through a microphone and uttered with a middle finger pointed towards hypocrisy. In all its brash glory, it finds the opportunity to play with irony and sarcasm; this is heard in the first few seconds of the song itself, when we are instructed to observe. “Lo and behold, the high and mighty, Ampaonarchist!” Clever wordplay aside, “Ampaonarchist” weeds out those who are showponies of activism and advocacy. The band’s commitment to the truth is easily summarized in five words they constantly repeat: actions speak louder than words. – Noelle Alarcon

    120. Rjay Ty ft. June Marieezy – Catch You (2012)

    Lyrically Deranged Poet’s Rjay Ty and pre-Island soul-era June Marieezy used to work together once upon a time. “Catch You” was a collaboration for the ages, not only for how two completely talented individuals gelled together perfectly, but for how a jagged amen break was able to get away with all of this. The clinic on the drum patterns helps patternize the complex relationship both Ty and Marieezy try to conjure up in the story, but for all that it’s worth, amen breaks, quite ironically, keep those worlds together. For all the boy-girl collaborators in R&B, I think it’s best to take notes from this song in particular. – Elijah Pareño

    119. Sam Concepcion, Tippy Dos Santos, Quest – Dati (2013)

    “Dati” boomed at the exact moment Filipino pop was being reshaped by Wattpad romance and loveteam nostalgia. The Wattpad-to-film pipeline was just about to explode, and young voices were singing about feelings that are too big for them. Winning the PhilPop Music Festival 2013 grand prize, the song helped lock in a very specific mid-2010s sonic mood in Philippine pop. Maybe, we can even call that era “Wattpad Pop,” because “Dati” sketches the subgenre’s architectural blueprint so clearly: young, unabashedly jejemon, and devastatingly precise about what it means to love someone you have known since childhood, in a way that felt uncannily personal to both Millennials and Gen Z. – Jax Figarola

    118. Al James – Pahinga (2016)

    Inside your bedroom, neon fairy lights flickering, everything giving off the mood of 2016. Al James’ signature baritone delivery hums in the background, telling you to literally rest in “Pahinga.” At a time when rap collective Baryo Berde was reigning with melodic sensibilities, Al James was among the artists who thrived in sensual, atmospheric production. No one quite knew where trap music in the Future–Migos–mumble rap trifecta would end up, especially with Al James’ trademark laidback but effective vocal tone. When his breakout single “Pahinga” glossed over machismo, it wasn’t expected to blow up overnight. Instead, it defined his run and shaped a corner of the local hip-hop scene — pre-stunna, pre-opium, and post-machismo trap music. Sometimes, it’s fine to lie down and literally chill out. – Elijah Pareño

    117. KARTELL’EM – No WIFI in Hell (2017)

    At the very eve of their comeuppance as one of Metro Manila’s most diverse rosters of rappers, Kartell’em samples a paranoid individual who has seemingly experienced hell in her dreams. The group then lets the listener know that there’s actually no other way for you to get off this lava in hell. Armed and protected with verses and bars that would literally make every other Makatizen start a chaotic moshpit, “No WIFI in Hell” breeds the eclecticism from Pasay–Makati’s very own rap avengers in the underground. Whether you dig their current iteration or not, this was the indicator that, even in their rookie days, they had the potential to break out of the underground and eventually push the envelope of presentation in the hip-hop scene. – Elijah Pareño

    116. Yeng Constantino – Chinito (2013)

    Before the short-haired Chinita girl with glasses craze 3 years ago, there was “Chinito” 13 years prior. But it wasn’t built on algorithmic crush culture; it was made an anthem because we needed it. OPM was never lacking in love songs, but Yeng Constantino’s playful persuasion mattered; her forwardness, together with her charmingly uncalculated voice, meant that it was fine to be a girl and be in control of your feelings, thus allowing yourself to enjoy them. “Chinito” simply understood that liking someone does not need complexity, that maybe guitars chording together, like the butterflies in your stomach when you like someone, is enough to sound like a possibility. – Julia Harumi Kudo

    115. Mike Kosa – My Game (2005)

    Before hip-hop, battle rap, or Dos Talentos in 187 Mobsta, Mike Kosa had the street with him. He had Tondo, and that bled through the exacting cut of who he became, not just as an artist but as a defiant figure of literal lyrical poetry. 20 years ago, “My Game” emerged as a parallel manifestation of the Filipino ethos: critical yet forgiving. And just last year, Mike Kosa re-released the song as a reminder that it was his game before it was anyone else’s. – Julia Harumi Kudo

    114. Flowtek – Ground Zero (2012) 

    Abstract hip-hop courtesy of rap duo Flexx and Labjaxx under the Cosche Collective drew a lot of heads to the literal concepts of Flowtek in “Ground Zero.” In their watershed album Flowtek Concepts, the highlights feature both emcees snapping their fingers in front of the listener’s face, commanding attention to every single iota of knowledge and thought aimed at the subconscious. Whatever happened to Deltron 3030 and Aesop Rock? This was the answer that nearly everyone needed at the time. When other rap groups in the alternative scene delved into murderous bars such as Murder Death Kill, or the lingering intellectual word salad of Amplified Messages Personified Over Noise, Flowtek sat right in the zeitgeist with so much food for thought. They were pretty much way ahead of the line in terms of presenting concepts under the hip-hop umbrella. – Elijah Pareño

    113. The Spirals – This is not the Spoliarium (2019)

    “This is not the Spoliarium” harnesses the droning restlessness of post-punk and intermingles it with the vengeful writing of late frontman Louell Armas-Lopez. The result: a grim and desolatory way to approach protest music. Within the context of its release, the track mirrors the social anxieties of the era as FPRRD continued his reign of terror and corruption.

    Despite this, The Spirals are clear in their resolve even with the track’s opening. “This is not the Spoliarium” may have started with an 11-word Bisaya monologue, yet that’s all it needs to sell the legacy of a band that sparked flames within revolutionaries of Cebu.  – JK Caray

    112. Queso – Insekta (2006)

    Philippine nu-metal pioneer Queso (FKA Cheese) belongs in the annals of Philippine rock and roll history, alongside their contemporaries Greyhoundz and Slapshock. Fresh off being released from Warner Music, the band had the freedom to explore their sound in full with their self-titled album. “Insekta” carries a lot of the band’s cross-genre idiosyncrasies, which the band has become known for. There are small moments to love in this track: the crackle of the record before the energy swells with the drums, “TheMokhamiyasaymokameh,” to name a few. “Insekta” holds up more than well, 20 years on. – Lex Celera

    111. Bamboo – Hallelujah (2005)

    Released in 2005 during Bamboo’s rise as one of the country’s biggest rock acts, “Hallelujah” stands out for transforming frustration into a call to speak one’s truth by br

    eaking out of apathy. Driven by a pressing instrumental that ramps up and down with urgency and Bamboo Mañalac’s commanding lead vocals, the song channels these feelings into something cathartic and communal. It balances accessibility with conviction to deliver emotionally charged themes through a sound capable of filling stadiums. More than just a rock anthem, “Hallelujah” channels the enduring idea that music can be both a refuge and a form of resistance. – Paolo Elwick

    110. Regine Velasquez – Pangarap ko Ang Ibigin Ka (2003)

    Seventeen years into a career built on Mariah and Whitney reverence, Regine Velasquez delivered what many consider as her magnum opus. “Pangarap ko Ang Ibigin Ka” — written by then-secret admirer and singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid, now her husband, for the 2003 romcom film of the same title — sealed her place as the ultimate Asia’s Songbird. That she sang his secret love letter to the world, unknowingly, is the most romantic spectacle in the 2000s. Every escalating note of longing feels like something the Filipino language carries better than English ever could. And at a time when American music dominated local taste, Regine made belting feel Filipino for the first time. – Jax Figarola

    109. Thyro & Yumi – Kiss (Never Let Me Go) (2011)

    R&B duo Thyro and Yumi channels all our fond memories of the genre when it was in its most funky and saccharine; when singers indulge themselves with the most powerful display of their vocal prowess, when the brass section ebbs and flows with full command of the entire ensemble, and when the crescendo hits the highest highs at the final stretch. It was a fun time to be in love. “Kiss (Never Let Me Go)” has all these attributes in spades, with Thyro and Yumi’s duet performance never letting up with their intent to serenade you with much conviction. – Nikolai Dineros

    108. Ruby Ibarra – Someday (2017)

    FilAm rapper Ruby Ibarra put into song the everyday struggle and heartache the Pinoy diaspora is subject to with her 2017 track “Someday”. Through her 90s inspired hiphop style, Ruby details her arduous journey. Bar after bar showing off her lyrical prowess and the pride she has for her roots, which later earns her the winner of NPR’s 2025 Tiny Desk Concert competition in which she performs this song. The track is a declaration of resilience against a world stacked against her, and resonating with millions of other immigrant pinoys across the globe facing the same battle. – Rory Marshall

    107. Faspitch – All Under Heaven (2006)

    Unapologetically massive and relentless, “All Under Heaven” stands as a definitive anthem of 2000s Philippine post-hardcore. Packing soaring, arena-ready melodies alongside crushing Cebuano riffage, Faspitch crafted an emotional powerhouse that proved Visayan heavy rock could dominate the national conversation on its own absolute terms. — Adrian Jade Francisco

    106. Skusta Clee – Dyosa (2016)

    Skusta Clee has always loved writing about women, but rarely does he seem to be interested in understanding them. The 30-year-old rapper usually spews macho misogynistic musings, but “Dyosa” felt different. Released in 2016, the genius of “Dyosa” lies in its silvery sincerity, and the lyrical loyalty of its “la-la-la-las” to the girl that he’s fawning over. This is left-field for an artist with a playboy persona, but the audience immediately understood that. For once, Skusta Clee sounds like he actually meant it. Nevertheless, what really locks “Dyosa” into place is Bullet D’s dizzying flow; you can’t help but bob your head. The mellow progression of the melody is undeniably smooth, and the lyricism on this one is equal parts pure bars and punchy birdsweet; ridiculously witty and infectious. – Julia Harumi Kudo

    105. Donnalyn – Kakaibabe (2014)

    At the young age of 20, Donnalyn’s debut single “Kakaibabe” helped define a period of Pinoy bubblegum pop: litanies inscribed with references to 2010s culture and unabashed girlishness. Released during a time when hiphop was crowding the MYX rankings and trending YouTube videos, the added edge of rap verses mixed in with lighthearted airy instrumentals secured a hit that would be quotable for generations to come. Driven by a bassline that is as bouncy as its keys and accented by Donnalyn’s soprano adlibs, “Kakaibabe” is a masterclass on camp executed perfectly. Minsan nga lang naman makahanap ng isang Kakaibabe. – Noelle Alarcon

    104. Urbandub – First of Summer (2005)

    “First of Summer” was a breakout moment for Cebu-based rock outfit Urbandub. The pop rock track defined the summer of 2005, literally. With crunchy guitars and scream-worthy lyrics, Urbandub’s invigorating and in-your-face sound resonated with teens across the country, finding its place in underground and mainstream circles alike. “First of Summer” is a memory tinted with the recklessness of youth: impulsiveness, bad decisions, and ultimately, no regrets, and no matter how many years pass by, their song plays on. – Rory Marshall

    103. Callalily – Magbalik (2006)

    “Magbalik” understands heartbreak in the most familiar way possible: through pleading, persistence, and the endless hoping for love to someday return. Released at the height of the pogi rock wave, it helped define a subgenre built on emotional love songs, radio-friendly rock, and bands whose heartthrob appeal was just as recognizable as their music. Callalily embraces these by pairing soaring guitar lines with lyricism that doesn’t hide desperation. Rather than resisting melodrama, “Magbalik” leans into it with sincerity, cementing the song as one of the era’s most bittersweet breakup anthems — one that’s still revisited through karaoke, covers, and bittersweet memories. – Paolo Elwick

    102. NoPetsAllowed – Bundak sa Letra (2012)

    Dipolog-based rap group NoPetsAllowed has held it down for the region for the longest time. Wearing their g-funk and American Southern rap influences on their sleeves from the get-go, the group’s staying power is reflected most viscerally in “Bundak Sa Letra,” from their ‘The Real Shit Mixtape’ in 2012: a barrage of battle rap-esque bars traded among members Hero, Winston Lee Brogoy, and Arsiemonn. To brag about your achievements without the bite can only come so far in the world of rap; more than a decade in and “Bundak sa Letra” still rocks the boat in its triumph. – Lex Celera 

    101. Kamikazee & Kyla – Huling Sayaw (2012)

    “Huling Sayaw” is, inarguably, the quintessential power ballad that cannot be beaten. Acting as the closing song from their 2014 album, ‘Romantico’, Kamikazee teams up with Kyla and delivers a performance crafted from the heavens. They paint a charged romantic tale that’s coming to a close, where they recognize that the cosmos does have an end. It’s all amplified with impassioned vocals and rock melodies that impressively hit their crescendos.

    There’s a great reason why this song remains a standout, encapsulating the romance that’s on its last stretch, but is willing to give its final hurrah at the end. – Louis Pelingen

    100. Curse One, Smugglaz, Dello, Flict G – Nakakamiss (2014)

    “Nakakamiss” brought together the different “worlds” of Filipino Hip-Hop through a monumental supergroup crossover. Seeing the distinct styles of Curse One, Smugglaz, Dello, and Flict-G on one track was a landmark event for fans of FlipTop and the JE Beats era. Beyond its underground roots, it achieved a mainstream breakthrough, present from computer shops to jeepney speakers nationwide, cementing its status as one of the definitive anthems of the 2010s. – Adrian Jade Francisco

    99. Turbo Goth – Venus Flytrap (2012)

    The electronic duo of Paolo Peralta and Sarah Gaugler felt like a match made in heaven, predating the wave of spooky electronic vocals and haunting riffs that would later dominate the scene. Turbo Goth danced through deserts, ran across forests, and paired seizure-inducing visuals with fever-dream song structures that felt ahead of their time. “Venus Flytrap,” by nature, is a product of instinct and excess. Turbo Goth embodied a kind of yin and yang in electronic music — a duo misunderstood in their moment, a symptom of a scene that didn’t catch up fast enough. In hindsight, they feel like a band waiting to be rediscovered, revisited, and recontextualized for an inevitable cult audience. – Elijah Pareño

    98. The Buildings – Different Shades Of Blue (2016)

    If Manila Fuzz Rock had a national anthem, all would cross their hearts and rise for “Different Shades of Blue”. With this track, The Buildings hit every note for a great alt-rock song: Fuzzy guitars, a scream-worthy chorus, and pining laced in every line and lyric. The charm that the Buildings’ deliver with their DIY rock sound creates a sincerity that keeps you coming back. “Different Shades of Blue” is a testament to this, cementing themselves as one of the genre-defining local bands of the 2010s. – Rory Marshall

    97. Imago- Sundo (2006)

    There’s no better feeling than pagsundo—being fetched from work, from all the streets of sadness, or from a celebration of a goal achieved—and to be loved unconditionally. There is an assured comfort in knowing someone will always be there for you. Imago’s “Sundo” shaped how we intensely express our love through assurances and acts of service, and its lyrics ground many of our relationships in ease and care. The song’s popularity even coincided with the rise of many OFWs leaving their loved ones in the 2000s, which gave the word ‘sundo’ a deeper weight, turning it into a song about distance and the promise of home anywhere in the world. – Jax Figarola

    96. Drip – Morning After (2008)

    The electronica swirls of Drip in the 2000s still reverberate up to this day, carrying an astute character that felt like nothing had heard of before. “Morning After” fully encapsulates their sheer magnitude. The strident combination of breakbeats and guitars becomes an immense cavalcade, building a storm that firmly sweeps everything in its path. – Louis Pelingen

    95. crwn & Jess Connelly – Under Blankets (2014)

    What happens when you bring together two artists finding their own identity? In late 2014, the drummer of a band in a state of flux and a former reality TV contestant emerging as a singer-songwriter would meet at the intersection of EDM and R&B with “Under Blankets”.

    crwn’s hypnotic samples and synth wobbles merge with Jess Connelly’s soulful melodies and seductive lyrics to bring a track that hypes up the club without shaking its walls down, forming the shape of things to come in dance music – and kickstarting the careers of two artists whose work defines “smooth”. – Gabriel Bagahansol

    94. Bugoy Na Koykoy – Araw Araw Sunday (2012)

    One day in 2012, Bugoy Na Koykoy laid down on a cloud of weed smoke to talk about the finer things in life on “Araw Araw Sunday”. On this track, he and Ives Presko rap about enjoying the fruits of the hustle, at a time when dedication to the grind was somehow more grounded than what it is now. Bugoy Na Koykoy may have since embodied the ugliest sides of hustle culture and patriarchy, but at the very least, you can always come back to when his words of motivation felt just as good as the grass he tokes. – Gabriel Bagahansol

    93. Ben&Ben – Pagtingin (2019)

    Ben&Ben’s breakout song “Pagtingin” in 2019 marked a significant change in the industry. Mainstream OPM back then was fractioned into Silent Sanctuary clones, biriteras, and already-famous celebrities. It wasn’t until “Pagtingin” that audiences realized how much they craved the breath of fresh air the hit brought.

    Technically, “Pagtingin” did borrow the same pop formula that guaranteed hits, but with an added folksy flair that only they, at the time, achieved mainstream success with. Following that, it’s only fair to acknowledge its contribution to the indie music boom of the late 2010s to early 2020s. – JK Caray

    92. The Ambassadors – Senseless Song (2014)

    The Ambassadors’ “Senseless Song” captures the youthful, DIY spirit of Cebu’s mid-2000s punk scene with energetic guitars, melodies that are easy to sing along to, and an earnest story about being hopelessly in love. But it’s not just a catchy punk song.

    At a time when much of the country’s music revolved around Manila, The Ambassadors were part of a Cebuano music community trying to build a punk scene of their own. “Senseless Song” reflects that spirit by being a product of local acts who created their own spaces, audiences, and sound in an attempt to show that Cebu had its own voice in Filipino rock. – Paolo Elwick

    91. SunKissed Lola – Pasilyo (2022)

    Pasilyo is your run-of-the-mill OPM pop rock song, in the best possible way. Catchy and fun while being warm and earnest. Call it cliche, call it cheesy – it’s heartfelt and sincere, and let’s be honest, you’re still going to sing along when it plays. The song takes place in the seconds you see your future other half walk down the aisle; capturing the anticipation. SunKissed Lola made a wedding anthem that will play for generations, welcoming newly weds to the journey of a lifetime with their smooth guitar riffs, heartstring-tugging lyrics, and a melody that makes you hum along without realizing. – Rory Marshall

    90. Sed – Pinagtapo’t Pinagsama (2020)

    Overlooked yet deeply revered in post-pandemic spaces, Sed’s “Pinagtapo’t Pinagsama” is a Lo-Fi late-night confession laced with smooth melodies and lyrics that combine infatuation with intoxication. Sed’s enigmatic presence in the SoundCloud underground crafted a space where listeners to this day are able to meet vulnerability and casual intimacy through a soft wavy rhythm. The track’s raw and colloquial lyrics mirror the digital-age-romance that younger listeners are familiar with and in the era of texting culture, the lyrics are able to bring emphasis to obsession and attachment in such a way that resonates whether its light-hearted and deeply cut throat. – Faye Allego

    89. Sandwich – Sugod (2006)

    What happens when you strip rock n’ roll of the fluff, leaving only the raw, primal vigor emanating from within, waiting to burst into a moshpit breakout? You get one of the most iconic choruses in all of OPM in “Sugod”. At its exterior, the song is a call-to-action that demands nothing from you but your energy, making for a versatile tool to amplify any message. But in its most bare, it’s just pure, unadulterated fun. – Nikolai Dineros

    88. Parokya Ni Edgar – Bagsakan (2005)

    Not only does “Bagsakan” paint a portrait of Pinoy culture and is definitely a top contender for turning listeners into air-guitarists, the track thrives in its own excess as Parokya Ni Edgar along with Gloc-9 and Francis Magalona collide into unapologetic chaos as they merge cypher verses with classic rock, creating an unforgettable moment in a landscape dominated by yearning in the 21st century. It’s worth noting that Chito Miranda’s first verse still stands out decades later: “at astig baka sakaling marinig ng libo libo na Pilipinong nakikinig sa mga pabibo ko” – Faye Allego

    87. Munimuni – Bawat Piyesa (2019)

    “Bawat Piyesa” is one of those songs that you get scared to listen to, but eventually do so. Only because Munimuni are masters at striking where it hurts. “Bawat Piyesa” is a plea to a loved one for them to stay, the build-up of bereavement crashing down if they left. A mortifying thought, because what would you do when they’re in everything you see? A prospect so devastating, it leaves us wondering how they were able to make anticipatory grief sound so beautiful, showcasing the sincerity and passion the local folk scene delivers on. – Rory Marshall

    86. MATOKI – Sarado Na Ang Makiling Trail (At Wala Na Kaming Mapuntahan)(2023)

    “Sarado Na Ang Makiling Trail (At Wala Na Kaming Mapuntahan)” is the track that hits you hard when you’re 17, wondering how life keeps going after getting your heart broken.

    MATOKI’s approach here can be seen as unconventional; little words hushed with more emphasis on the dense, ethereal soundscapes they’ve carefully built over the years. The result is an epic tale of loss and anguish told through instruments alone. When played live, a few pairs of eyes get shiny from the wave of memories it brings up. 

    Suddenly, you’re not 17 anymore. Congrats, you made it through. – JK Caray

    85. KRNA – Dream Again (2017)

    When all seems lost and hopeless in one’s pursuit of reciprocity, does passion alone overcome the odds? “Dream Again” captures the sinking feeling of heavy devotion when the circumstances lead most with a sense of rational thought to conclude that such a pursuit for anything beyond a one-sided affair is to be in vain. Cagayan de Oro-based dream pop act KRNA understands this disposition very well, enveloping the soundscape with the swelling sound of desperation in a state of lethargy and inertia, hoping to blossom at the perfect moment — one that may never happen. – Nikolai Dineros

    84. Loop – Lite (2014)

    “Lite” is a gentle, uptempo alternative rock anthem from the 2010s — it’s a trance that lasts for a little over four minutes, led by Kim Trinidad’s saccharine vocals and equally sugary riffs that get you lost in its own world. It’s a confession that is as brazen as the explosive drums that decorate its verses, exhibited through lyrics like “But then my life colored / and everything changed / since you came.” As strongly as “Lite” embodies the decade’s approach to rock, it is also a transformative step for Loop and fellow musicians in Northern Mindanao. Through Loop’s impact, other bands from the region were connected with the nearby Cebu music scene, further uniting the Filipino underground and breaking away from metro-centric barriers. – Noelle Alarcon

    83. Hale – Blue Sky (2005)

    When darkness haunts unceasingly from dusk until dawn, Hale’s “Blue Sky” grounds the listener, urging them to find the light. Since then, the track has become an anthem of reassurance long before “hopecore” posts filled algorithms. Its iconic introductory fingerstyle guitar imprints a permanent etch that remains a constant spark in Filipino music. As it swells into its crescendo and the chorus breaks through, tunnel vision about those uncertainties dissolve, and maybe, for a fleeting moment, everything is weightless. This weightlessness felt by millions is a reminder of why “Blue Sky” endures as one of OPM’s most timeless songs. – Faye Allego

    82. Cueshe – Ulan (2005)

    OPM’s cataclysmic “pogi rock” movement left the Philippines at a shortage of hair gel and aviator glasses, when they were as much a prerequisite for rising pop rock bands as cheesy lyrics and melodic hooks. Cueshé stood at the top of the “pogi rock” tower, causing destruction upon generations of romantically inebriated Filipinos with their seminal heartbreaker power ballad “Ulan”. Cueshé and “pogi rock” is long past the zeitgeist. But take just one step outside, and immediately, you’ll hear your neighbor’s uncle’s uncle belching the powerful chorus of “Ulan”. – Nikolai Dineros

    81. Identikit – Peach (2013)

    A cult favorite in the Philippine indie landscape, “Peach” stands as one of the earliest locally embraced shoegaze and jangle-pop moments before that sound gained wider prominence. Its shimmering synth textures, the curious Japanese-spoken intro sampled from a supposed adult film, and that “wall of sound,” helped it stick in the ears of the 2010s gig crowds, prompting locals to explore hazy, dream-inflected soundscapes well before the broader shoegaze and dream-pop revival took hold in the underground music scene. – Adrian Jade Francisco

    80. Salbakuta – S2pid Luv (2001)

    Originally penned by Andrew E, “S2pid Luv’s” mix of old school sampled beats and its edgy, diss-like nature made it a crowd favorite at its peak. You used to hear this song everywhere: on the radio, in karaoke, and even in the cinemas. 

    For the Batang 90’s, “S2pid Luv” represented a time in their youth where their lives revolved around their high school romance communicated through ‘Jejemon’ texts. Sure they’d think it was cringe but for what it’s worth, this song stands out as one of the better representations the era had. – JK Caray

    79. One Click Straight  – MRT (2022)

    A cramped MRT train during rush hour is the least romantic place one could find themselves in — and yet One Click Straight reflects the reality of a third-world romance all too well. The percussion takes the stage in this song, each hit and strike audibly similar to the sound of a train making its way along the tracks. “MRT’s” instrumentals and production deliberately come across as raw, almost caving the vocals in–like how you and your significant other’s voices are overshadowed by the hustle and bustle inside a train car. No matter the time, the noise, or the condition, it doesn’t matter when you’re in love — the world slows down for the both of you all the same. “Ika’y sa akin, ako’y sa’yo, at dito tayo maliligaw sa isa’t-isa.” – Noelle Alarcon

    78. Megumi Acorda – Aftershow (2018)

    Without a shadow of doubt, Megumi Acorda has cemented her place at the epitome of the dreamscape realm of Filipino dreampop through the liquefying immersive sounds that she was able to bring forth along with magical surrealism found in her lyrical composition that is still avidly talked about in and outside music spaces across the internet. Like her album art, Acorda’s talent is an ink stain of nostalgia that must remain. The third track “Aftershow” from her 2018 EP, ‘Unexpectedly’, creates its own niche of ethereal soundscapes such as its use of prominent basslines and pristine mastering encircles why Acorda has made such a significant mark on the underground indie scene in Manila and elsewhere– The track’s lyricism delves into an inner turmoil that every so-called yearner knows all too well; gasping for a love that’s only purpose is to avoid loneliness. – Faye Allego

    77. Because – Marlboro Black (2017)

    Starting out in the depths of Soundcloud, the then 17-year old rapper Because came out with “Marlboro Black”, a diamond in the rough that would eventually become the sadboi rap anthem of the 2010s. The breakout 2017 single highlights a more vulnerable side of the flex-heavy local trap scene, rapping about calling quits on a toxic relationship set to a piano and slow-paced trap drums. While the instrumental is barebones, the impact of the song lies in Because’s lyrics. With its train-of-thought style lyrics, it almost feels intrusive to listen to yet the words seem familiar to the heart, for better or for worse. – Rory Marshall

    76. Bambu – Where You From (2012)

    “Where You From” by Bambu opens with a flawless pastiche of late Technicolor era musicals, and concludes with a kulintang-based outro. From poverty and the prison system, to political corruption and generational trauma, the Fil-Am speaks to the US and Philippines alike in the track. His incisive bilingual flow slices through slinky piano loops. “Why would you want our kids to go through the same thang?” Bambu asks regarding society’s rot. “Where You From” is the renowned rapper’s most potent call to end toxic cycles, seamlessly blending both sides of his background. – Julienne Loreto

    75. Barbie Almalbis – Just a Smile (2007)

    A pre-streaming staple, Barbie Almalbis’ “Just a Smile”—also known as the “Close Up song,” transformed a dental commercial into an anthem of “friend zone” before it became common vocabulary. It cemented its place as a pillar of the early 2000s wave of acoustic pop, soundtracking an era of MYMP ballads and Nokia 3310s—where radio rotation and TV spots dictated the hits that defined the Filipino youth’s collective identity. – Adrian Jade Francisco

    74. Autotelic – Laro (2016)

    Every now and then, there’s a track that hits you right in the gut. In 2016, that was Autotelic’s “Laro,” an indak-inducing, move-to-the-front kind of track that encapsulates the essence of its own hugot without indulging so much in its own sadness. The beat is too happy for introspection, the lyrics too sad not be insincere. You’re not sure whether to smile or put your head down. When listening to “Laro,” both can be true. – Lex Celera

    73. Alisson Shore – Hanggang Sa Huli (2018)

    Alisson Shore didn’t have to belt his heart out on “Hanggang Sa Huli” to let you know that the end of a relationship is leaving him begging for one last night together. When R&B became moodier in the second half of the 2010s, it allowed for more alluring takes of that grand tradition of male soul singers getting on their knees and asking for their lover to stay. The pulsating synths throughout this song bring a closer look at the state of Alisson’s mind, and that space for vulnerability opened doors for artsier musicians like him. – Gabriel Bagahansol

    72. Tiger Pussy – Guts (2013)

    Rightfully reputed as Cebu City’s very own riot-grrrl band, Tiger Pussy needs no introduction for those who have a keen ear for hardcore music beyond Luzon. In all its minute-and-a-half glory, the erratic dance energy that oozes off the track serves not just as the perfect ending to their debut hardcore album ‘People You Hate’, it also uncovered the urge in women to have their own punk bands. 

    You can’t really blame them. When Tiger Pussy tells you you’ve got the guts, you go ahead and make it worthwhile.  – JK Caray

    71. Hev Abi – WELCOME2DTQ (2023)

    The definitive track of the “New School,” Hev Abi’s “WELCOME2DTQ” signaled a massive shift in the Hip-Hop environment toward localized, pride-heavy drill and trap. Beyond its viral TikTok presence, the track served as a manifesto for the Downtown Q movement, proving that independent, street-centric rap could outpace mainstream pop. By blending aggressive delivery with effortless swagger, it established a cultural reset for the 2020s, becoming a staple for car audio culture, clubs, and Philippine Hip-Hop itself. – Adrian Jade Francisco

    70. Moonstar88 – Torete (2000)

    A quintessential anthem of the early 2000s, this Moonstar88 acoustic-pop track immortalized the Filipino torpe experience. More than a breakout radio hit, it served as a rite of passage; if you played the guitar, “Torete”—with its simple four-chord progression, was likely one of the first songs you learned. It became a constant presence at your local high school, whether during busking sessions, school fairs, or inside the classroom. Eventually becoming a permanent fixture in the Philippine acoustic songbook. – Adrian Jade Francisco

    69. BINANGONAN HUSTLAZ – Lumiliko (2018)

    EASYLIFE is BINANGONAN HUSTLA’s way of living — and it’s epitomized by the track “Lumiliko.” “Nagmamaneho nang mabagal, ‘yoko ‘yoko mabilis” says it all — as one hustles through the game that is life, one must also never forget to reap the fruits of their labor from time to time and take it easy. Each affirmation and experience is punctuated by buzzing 808s in a trap beat, leaving its listener in a trance that allows them to focus on and take in 2ldok’s wisdom. First released in 2018 and followed up by a Pt. 2 in 2024, both versions of “Lumiliko,” as polished or revised as the latter may be, stay loyal to the EASYLIFE ethos. Surebol lang lagi ang lakad. – Noelle Alarcon

    68. Junior Kilat – Sigbin (2005)

    Where the Reggae/Dub capital lies at the heart of provinces in Cebu, Junior Kilat pioneers the distinct sound heard in the bisaya dialect. The late frontman Errol “Budoy” Marabiles is immortalized through uplifting bisaya culture and traditions within his lyricism tinged with ska and dub. In “Sigbin”, the slowed, hypnotic downtempo tells the cautionary tale of the Philippine mythical creature of the same name. What makes this track stand out and showcases Junior Kilat’s impact is how they are able to set a wide atmosphere of storytelling that incites playfulness as well as dramatising a tale sonically with just a slow and steady beat. – Faye Allego

    67. Oh, Flamingo! – Inconsistencies (2015)

    Only a few names of massive renown in mid-2010s’ Filipino indie music carried their spark with the same luminance (if not brighter) in the years that followed, and the multisectioned and multilayered “Inconsistencies” is one of them. Indie darlings Oh, Flamingo! crafted in this song a monumental piece of local indie rock that possesses technical proficiency that captivates, and angst that refuses to let go—whether it’s the song’s six-minute runtime or the years of relevance it has had since its inception. -Nikolai Dineros

    66. Bee Eyes – Dasma Girl (2013)

    Before Bee Eyes renamed the album playlist that included “Dasma Girl” from The Best Band in the Philippines to Late Bloomer on their Soundcloud account, it’s fair to say the original title may have aged better. The prophecy felt real and unreal at the same time — a future both promised and undone. “Dasma Girl” is drenched in reverb, with sunset-soaked leads, loose guitar rhythms, bitcrushed drums, and a DIY ‘conyo punk’ energy amplified by infamous live banter. It was 2013 in a nutshell, and then they disappeared. For over a decade, no one quite knew what they were up to. – Elijah Pareño

    65. Black Eyed Peas – Bebot (2005)

    If you were to illustrate “Pinoy pride” on a sheet of oslo paper, the image might be a mohawk-wearing, heavily bearded rapper in shutter shades from Sapang Bato, Pampanga, waving chicken adobo like a flag. “Bebot” put Filipino stereotypes on the global map, accelerating cultural visibility in ways that couldn’t be undone. The moment was perfect: Pacquiao, Lea Salonga, Jericho Rosales’ Pangako Sa ’Yo — take your pick. The ideology landed exactly when it needed to. Apl.de.ap became, for better or worse, the most visible Filipino of his era. – Elijah Pareño

    64. Rico Blanco – Antukin (2008)

    Once Rico Blanco departed from Rivermaya, he unleashed his musical inspirations through his solo ventures. “Antukin” strings out britpop flourishes in earnest, giving way for him to seek out this love with assurance, one that reflects best through the instrumental key bridge before going all out on that infectious hook.

    Careful craftsmanship is what always stayed within Rico Blanco’s musical endeavors. His ear in crafting spoonful melodies with technical songwriting chops that are undeniably his own. It results in him doing something interesting in his compositions, always keeping you attentively awake to the details he carves out. – Louis Pelingen

    63. Caitlyn Bailey – Object Permanence (2008)

    The overall presentation of “Object Permanence” doesn’t just seethe. It ravages. This encapsulates the tenacity that Caitlyn Bailey invokes within Davao’s hardcore scene. F. Maria’s screams are electrifying, deeply intensified by the band’s melodic ferocity as the grooves quake and shudder. That settled anger underscores the fate the band ponders upon. The battle has been won, and respite comes after, but there will be new pages to be filled in the future.

    The song implies that finality doesn’t mean it’s completely ending. This is true for hardcore bands like Caitlyn Bailey. After disbanding, a few have remained, eventually discovering a beast waiting to be awakened. – Louis Pelingen

    62. The Axel Pinpin – The Good Guys (2017)

    Towering, glass paneled buildings rising from the blood, sweat, and tears of the masses whose milestones, lives, and plots of land are taken for the sake of development. Thin sheets of metal barriers that tell you these projects are initiated by “The Good Guys.” Axel Pinpin himself tells it like it is in six minutes and 20 seconds, narrating Troy’s story as he becomes witness to the crushing of mountains and fruitful land in exchange for uniform, capitalistic cityscapes. This is not merely a spoken word piece; it is an epitome of Filipino rage, brought to light with effect-laden guitars. Every strum exclaims the unbelievable intensity of greed possessed by private corporations. The song’s message is clear: it is these inhumane powers and injustices that lead the people to take up armed struggle in the first place. – Noelle Alarcon

    61. fitterkarma – Pag-Ibig Ay Kanibalismo II

    Accolades notwithstanding, fitterkarma’s banger of a track reinvigorates the Filipino band music landscape by conjuring a new image of love in its most visceral and captivating form. “Pag-ibig Ay Kanibalismo II” alludes to yearning without being twee, and invokes darker themes without being edgy for its own sake. There is still much to be said in music, and fitterkarma manages to bridge themes that resonate across generations while still rallying a generation of yearners together. – Lex Celera

    60. SOS – Dying to Meet You

    Before they helped define a generation of bands playing jangly blues ballads in the bars of Katipunan Avenue, SOS were just a bunch of guys writing jittery garage rock songs. The toe-tapping “Dying To Meet You” captures the innocence of this stage in their career: vocalist Roberto Seña sounds like he just wanted to be one of The Strokes (and there’d be accusations of this), while the band performs the song with the glowing exuberance of a boyband — something they would soon shed as they began developing the songs that would truly cement their place in OPM history. – Gabriel Bagahansol

    59. Pupil – Disconnection Notice (2009)

    This supergroup takes experimentation seriously, and even then, “Disconnection Notice” ends up a different beast altogether. Ely Buendia rails upon the dance-punk leanings of this song, where staccato syllables stab around the sharp guitar riffs and shuffling rhythms. It’s simultaneously accessible and alarming, like a feverish dance floor that never freezes up. 

    Songs such as this embody Pupil as a band that allows everyone to find new ground outside of their usual mainstays. It gives them space to grow because things are completely different, and it lets their creativity spark even harder. – Louis Pelingen

    58. Pastilan Dong – More of You (2015)

    While contemporaries in the Manila indie music scene were absorbed in creating alternative, twee, or indie-pop hits, Pastilan Dong brazenly introduced noise to the stage. The distortion-heavy sound of “More of You” instantly made them a household name among local shoegaze acts. A decade later, the band continues to headline shows in new and familiar venues with the same song in their setlist but with larger, younger crowds singing the addictive part of the chorus, “I want more of you, I’m dependent on you…” 

    Though they remain underrated, their contribution to noise rock and shoegaze will never go unnoticed. We’ll always want to hear more from Pastilan Dong! – Aly Maaño

    57. Kiyo – Ikaw Lang (2019)

    Kiyo perfectly captured both the sound and the lovey-dovey energy of 2019 indie hip-hop with its soft guitar instrumentation and lowkey production in “Ikaw Lang.” Furthermore, in local mainstream music, it was the epitome of “Gen Z Optimism,” as coined in TikTok, with its sound and the overwhelming hope and infatuation despite the anxieties of loving long-term. It was really intimate without trying too hard. And lastly, the female vocals on the last verse is the icing on top of the cupcake to describe a match made by Cupid’s pistol. – Jax Figarola

    56. Einstein Chakras – Hangga’t Maari (Ayokong Pumatay) (2006)

    When Einstein Chakras released “Hangga’t Maaari (Ayokong Pumatay)” in 2006, they drew from the longstanding tradition of punk being deeply tied to political and working-class resistance. The song confronts violence, corruption, abuse of power, and imperialism, showing how punk can function as a vehicle for class politics and dissent rather than simply an aesthetic.

    Its importance extends beyond the song itself. Rooted in Manila’s underground and activist scenes since 1994, Einstein Chakras helped sustain a form of politically engaged punk that remains relevant today. Bands such as The Axel Pinpin Propaganda Machine, The General Strike, and Gapas continue that tradition, showing that the connection between punk, protest, and resistance remains a vital part of the local music scene. – Paolo Elwick

    55. juan karlos – Buwan (2018)

    Juan Karlos was one of many young idols who were at checkmate when the state of their artistic careers had a multitude of big question marks: Will JK exceed into stapling his name across Philippine media? or will he just be a television pop culture moment left behind the late 2010s? His answer to this was the cosmos.

    Through its simplicity, “Buwan” became a renowned staple for singing competitions, busking performances, and amplifying karaoke culture; that shared participatory spread helped revive grand and theatrical love songs. Over the course of a decade, JK has managed to garner hundreds of millions of viewers in his music videos as well as listeners of his songwriting grandeur. – Faye Allego

    54. Loonie – Isang Bara Ka Lang (2010)

    When two emcees have beef for the longest time, people get hungry for a diss track. Loonie didn’t disappoint when he dropped “Isang Bara Ka Lang,” a direct hit to his fellow rapper Badang. With Gloc 9 bringing his own arsenal, the two lyrical geniuses gave a lethal blow to end their common opponent, easily breaking the internet. Six years after its release, the much-awaited Fliptop battle between the two rappers happened, and the veteran made a sweeping win. It just goes to show that when “Hari ng Tugma” aims, he never misses. He doesn’t just deliver, he makes history. – Aly Maaño

    53.  Join The Club – Nobela (2005)

    In a time when TV stations like MYX pushed Pinoy rock into the mainstream, Join The Club was among the many bands that created an anthem to define the adolescent love experience. Biboy Renia’s poetic lyricism and poignant delivery of their greatest hit, “Nobela,” echoed the sentiments of every lovesick fool in an on-and-off relationship. It’s the song that makes one want to pick up a guitar and learn the chords from a song hits magazine. It’s the cue for any hopeless romantic to try and woo their crush with awkward singing. And chances are, they would immediately recognize the song without even knowing the title. – Aly Maaño

    52. Mellow Fellow – Dancing (2017)

    The mid to latter half of the 2010s marked a surge in bedroom pop artists who turned to YouTube, Soundcloud, and Bandcamp for sharing self-produced music. Then 21-year-old Ralph Lawrence “Polo” Reyes, better known as internet artist Mellow Fellow, gained worldwide recognition through “Dancing,” a song that embodied a distinct lo-fi sound: crooning guitar melodies, low yet rich vocals, analog synths, and jazzy elements. Following its success, Mellow Fellow collaborated with other indie pop aficionados like Clairo, Vansire, Floor Cry, Ruru, and Teenage Granny, proving that all it takes is a working home setup and creativity to craft a massive hit for the post-internet generation. – Aly Maaño

    51. Zia Quizon – Ako Na Lang (2011)

    Soft tones and strong emotions become lightning in a bottle with Zia Quizon’s breakthrough hit, written and produced by Jungee Marcelo. Zia’s jazzy vocal inflections amid the acoustic guitars in the track cement “Ako Na Lang” as a soothing balm, with a certain kind of charm that’s hard to replicate. Maybe it’s the fact that the whole track is in Filipino, or that its whole arrangement lulls you into a relaxing, almost disarming mood. The composure in Zia’s voice sells the conviction conveyed within its lyrics. It’s hard to get tired of this track. – Lex Celera

    50. Tame the Tikbalang – Backstab (2002)

    By the time you arrive at a punk show at either Hades  Bar or even modern-day venues like Mang Rudy’s, chances are you’ll encounter a moshpit of sweaty punks circling around and chanting the potent lyricism and messages of Tame the Tikbalang; an important band to many in the hardcore scene, fronted by stalwarts and actual pioneers of the genre. “Backstab” was one of many examples from their album Forever Shall Be.

    While there are tracks equally worthy of mention on that record, “Backstab” showed finesse and struck directly at the veins of those who wish to turn their backs on a school of thought that has fostered a generation of hardcore kids. Tame the Tikbalang are still golden, and it would be a shame to ignore what they stood for. – Elijah Pareño 

    49. Gloc-9 – Upuan (2009)

    When it comes to political music, songs often reflect a certain situation during a certain period of time. However, for Gloc-9’s “Upuan,” it contains a message that has resonated with the Filipino people for over a decade–so much so that it surged back into the Billboard charts 16 years after it was released. Frequently heard during the Philippine anti-corruption protests in 2025, “Upuan” connects its listeners through the unity in the Filipino struggle that the elite will never understand. Its relaxed, trip hop-inspired beat makes it starkly unique from other rap songs released during this period of time, usually filled with fast-paced bars and energetic beats. As its bare instrumental lets the story unfold, Jeazrell Grutas’ cries and echoed sentiments throughout its run perfectly express Filipino frustration. “Walang doktor na makapagpapalinaw ng mata niyo,” the rapper enunciates. – Noelle Alarcon

    48. Oh! Caraga – Ipanumpa Ko (2019)

    “Ipanumpa Ko” is a declaration of love. Not only in the literal sense, rather the song itself is an assertion of pride and love for your heritage and cultural identity. Oh! Caraga, a folk group from Mindanao, instilled hope in listeners across the archipelago through their warm, heartfelt sound and ear catching melodies. Its uplifting message transcends language barriers. The 2019 hit, and Oh! Caraga’s discography as a whole, influenced an important space for regional languages in the Tagalog-dominated OPM scene. – Rory Marshall

    47. no rome – Seventeen (2018)

    no rome’s track “seventeen” is drenched with nostalgia, harkening back to care-free days of youth and the weight of choices made had yet to find significance, especially when it came to love. Released earlier in his career via Soundcloud, it’s a testament to his producing prowess that caught the eyes of Dirty Hit Records, and is a classic fit for the pop scene for the time but with a twist of no rome’s unique style. His layered vocals and sonic soundscape with an R&B twang was both new and refreshing while clearly paying homage to his influences. – Rory Marshall

    46. Musical O – Ocean (2009)

    In the math rock and abstract art rock space, Musical O were true outliers — a one-of-a-kind band probing the depths of the human psyche, the phenomenon of the self, so to speak. There’s an enigmatic, unanswerable quality to Marco Dinglasan’s lyricism, rooted in an abstract, almost dystopian worldview. In “Ocean,” a standout and crowd favorite from their debut album ‘Debutante’, the listener understands why there’s reason to anchor emotion in life’s windy, chaotic seas. As the tide turns into a storm, Musical O briefly sketch the image of a Marco Polo-like figure, navigating strength through motion. “Ocean” guides you through angular riffs, brave vocal inflections, and the steady spirit of a criminally underrated band. – Elijah Pareño

    45. Moscow Olympics – Keeping the Avenues Open (2009)

    Despite Moscow Olympics’ transient activity, the mark they’ve left behind is insurmountable. Through “Keeping The Avenues Open”, one of their last few songs a year after their classic 2008 album, ‘Cut The World’, showcases their presence at their finest. A simple drum machine lays bare hazy guitars and AJ’s starry-eyed vocals echo across dreamy melodies that tumble within distance. 

    All of it paves how Filipino dream pop will vividly circulate to the present day, one that has gradually morphed back to when bands like them were forming in their heyday. They kept the avenues open, and more dreamers showed up since then. – Louis Pelingen

    44. Juan Thugs – Momay (2009)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuhCRqQfkEI

    “Momay’s” lasting legacy as the “Weed Anthem of the Philippines” defies its beginnings as novelty music. Nobody has said it out loud, but the song’s popularity set off a shift in the public’s perspective. 

    Compared to other local songs about the use of cannabis, the song encapsulated that feeling of ‘floating’, laughing at the most trivial of things and saying the dumbest things when you’re high. Cold air in your face, problems all evaporated, Momay frames the use of ganja as the relaxing, recreational activity that it is. 

    In the current political landscape, a song as influential as “Momay” deserves a revival to remind Filipinos that users can be people who only want to experience the fun of being high. – JK Caray

    43. Hey! It’s Your Birthday – Dead Cat (2016)

    If dreams ever had a soundtrack, “Dead Cat” would be a perfect fit. Through their honeyed melodies and enigmatic lyrics set to fuzzy bedroom rock angst, Cebu rock outfit Hey! It’s Your Birthday created an atmosphere that is haunting yet tranquil. Their dreamlike, surreal style of indie rock set the stage for the rise of the DIY bedroom sound that would eventually dominate the scene in the years to come. – Rory Marshall

    42. KOLATERAL – Sandata (2019)

    Collective rage. Organized anger. Violence that emancipates. These are descriptions that have been spoken about KOLATERAL’s call-to-action song “SANDATA” time and time again. But there is one virtue binding these traits together that the track highlights as the cornerstone of a successful protest: community. “SANDATA” emphasizes community as having the power to break defence lines and flood any building faster than any typhoon can. On top of ‘SANDATA’s’ chorus becoming a mainstay chant in mass protests, its powerful verses will not only floor you but also leave you wondering how much more organizing can do. – Nikolai Dineros

    41. Shanti Dope – Amatz (2019)

    When it comes to the lively, monumental state of the 2010s Filipino hip-hop scene that involves plenty of moments you just had to be there for, how could one forget Shanti Dope’s “Amatz?” From PDEA trying to get it banned to being featured in Marvel miniseries ‘Falcon and the Winter Soldier,’ “Amatz” is a display of how Shanti Dope’s versatility is able to shake things up. In the thumping, sitar-driven beat produced by Klumcee, the rapper eloquently describes the high he gets from music through his Buddhist background in life–exhilaration that is “sobrang natural, walang halong kemikal.” Better than Mary Jane itself, probably. – Noelle Alarcon

    40. Spazzkid – Getting to Know You (2013)

    Serene, spacey vocals mingle with proto-trap beats and catchy samples are enough to make a splash in one of Mark Redito FKA Spazzkid’s landmark tracks from his 2013 EP ‘Desire.’ But what gives “Getting To Know You” its lasting power is the sum of its parts: a well-crafted chillwave track that shimmers in its playful restraint. “Getting To Know You” and the ‘Desire’ EP is convergence culture at work, stitching together a time of indie-meets-hypebeast goodness that resonates with many heads today. – Lex Celera

    39. Somedaydream – Hey Daydreamer (2011)

    Circa 2011 was strangely suspended between two worlds. Getting your song on MYX Daily Top 10 still ruled your music birthright, but the internet was also starting to dominate who gets to be in the media spotlight. Somedaydream’s “Hey Daydreamer” belonged to that fleeting era when the internet existed not as the nervous system that it is now, but as a blazing possibility of newness. Timing played a big part in how the song became not only timeless, but time itself. Rez Toledo, the college student behind Somedaydream, had the track become one of the earliest songs to trend online before the internet even became the mecca of everything under the sun. “Hey Daydreamer” stood because its afterlife attached itself to reality, to computer shops and barkada hangouts; somebody hearing it again while unwrapping their ice cream, remembering an entire decade they thought they’d never remember as vividly again. – Julia Harumi Kudo

    38. Soapdish – Tensionado (2006)

    Sung along to in millions of karaokes nationwide, Soapdish’s “Tensionado” became an instant alternative favorite in the mid-2000s, and the years that followed only further secured its replayability, may it be in birthdays, weddings, funerals, graduations…and the like. It’s the song’s clever use of buildups and pauses that perfectly emulate the tension of a rope being pulled from both sides. A tired cycle that’s been spun over one too many times, embodied by the bassline and lead guitar that repeat, yet speak out the loudest during the track’s peaks. Despite the exhaustion that comes from running in circles, Soapdish reflects Filipino yearning best — amid all the resentment, they ask: “pwede pa ba tayo?” – Noelle Alarcon

    37. Aikee – Dota o Ako (2011)

    Back when Mineski computer shops and various hours of playing Dota were in full force in the 2010s, “Dota O Ako” immortalizes what it felt like when men are in a push-and-pull relationship between Dota and their partners. Aikee genuinely plays into that perspective, with the late Vanessa (and in the UMG version, Sabrina) playing the girlfriend whose exasperation echoes onto the hook.

    Aikee leans into its concept and runs away with it, treating Dota as a character that affects his relationship and facing it head-on. He perfectly balances nerd rap with genuine relationship pathos, a unique gem that ultimately chose what’s important: the love of his life. – Louis Pelingen

    36. Ourselves the Elves – Uncertainly (2015)

    Among the plethora of new wave indie bands that emerged in the 2010s, Ourselves the Elves is like the secret note from your lover you want to safely keep inside your back pocket. And “Uncertainly,” their most treasured song, is the written content you read to yourself at 2 a.m. when no one can see you yearn. Soft, genuine, and innocent, the song perfectly encapsulates the sonic identity of the band, which remains true to this day.

    Whether you discovered the song in one of Alternatrip’s episodes, the short film ‘Lisyun Qng Geografia’, or a gig at your favorite underground venue, one thing’s for sure: you’ll always catch yourself singing the loudest to “Uncertainly.” – Aly Maaño

    35. Pette Shabu – The Future is Trans (2023)

    Set to high-energy beats courtesy of sonic innovator D Waviee, “The Future Is Trans” is rave rapper Pette Shabu’s relentless stream-of-consciousness. Here, she moves like a hopped-up MC unabashedly commanding the crowd to revel in queer joy. Her words are affirmations for people who, after years on the receiving end of a merciless stream of violence & abuse, simply just want to live their truth and express it on their own terms.

    Pette Shabu & D Waviee want you to know one thing: transgender Filipinos have been here and will always be here, and no longer will your bigotry break their soul. – Gabriel Bagahansol

    34. BINI – Salamin, Salamin (2024)

    At the start of the 2020s, the girl-group BINI grew a devoted fanbase by deviating from the K-Pop-driven formulas of P-Pop’s second-gen and continuing the vibrant sounds of the genre’s nascent first-gen. But after a headlining set at a music festival that kickstarted BINI’s climb from Stan Twitter darlings to nationwide superstars, they achieved meteoric success with “Salamin, Salamin,” a fun pop-funk track about the feverish excitement of a brand new crush – powered by FlipMusic’s sunkissed melodies. With this song, these girls would conquer the summer of ‘24, helping P-Pop make a dent in the country’s consciousness along the way. – Gabriel Bagahansol

    33. Sauna – Empty Is Your Name (2008)

    A landmark single of hardcore music, “Empty Is Your Name” is a masterclass in math-adjacent aggression. Eschewing traditional structures for the visceral complexity of Jane Doe-era of Converge, the track defined the mid-2000s DIY scene from Ten02 to Cavite. As a standout from their album ‘Deeper It Goes’, these Batangas City wild children bridged the gap for future dark-hardcore outfits like Beast Jesus and HL/DV, establishing a regional powerhouse that challenged Manila’s sonic dominance. – Adrian Jade Francisco

    32. Mayonnaise – Jopay (2004)

    After seeing her crying in Eat Bulaga’s Lent season drama special, Monty Macalino of Mayonnaise decided to write a song about one of the most popular OG members of the SexBomb Girls. “Jopay” became an instant hit, perhaps because listeners were real stans or they just had their own “Jopay” in mind to dedicate the song to. 

    Twenty years later, “Jopay” remains one of the most requested songs during a Mayonnaise concert. Its resurgence, sparked by a viral TikTok video featuring an off-key rendition of the hit single, further cemented its significance in Pinoy music and pop culture as a whole. – Aly Maaño

    31. Shaira – Selos (2024)

    Selos by Shaira Moro was first released in 2023; whether belting out from the phone of the person beside you on a jeepney ride, blasting through the speakers of stalls in bustling public markets, heartily ricocheting inside ukay-ukays, or fronting the setlist of your neighbor’s karaoke night, it was everywhere because it belonged anywhere. In complete Filipino fashion, “Selos” is a song about sorrow dressed in synth sway and electronic sheen. The people sing in spite of lament, they dance, they love, that’s always been one of the Pinoy’s strong suits, sometimes to a fault. When the controversy about the melody sounding a little too similar to Lenka’s song “Trouble Is A Friend” came about, people debated the song’s signification in culture, and rightfully so, still, people sought to get it back on streaming platforms because the general public didn’t really care whether it was going to be just an official cover song or an original song. What mattered was that Shaira, someone from Bangsamoro was singing about feelings that they felt too. – Julia Harumi Kudo

    30. Tanya Markova – Picture Picture (2010)

    Tanya Markova’s debut hit “Picture Picture” stands out amongst their discography as the track that primed general audiences to the charming eccentricity of the band’s sound

    On its own, the song was already a hit owing to the overall catchiness of the track, but it did leave a weird feeling that was difficult to shake. As it turns out, the unsettling nature of the lyrics was a reference to a horror movie, adding a layer of eeriness. It was uncommon, sure, but Tanya Markova’s spin on mixing horror with goofy quips, opened the floor for more wacky theatrics of this order to take place in mainstream OPM. – JK Caray 

    29. Orange & Lemons – Hanggang Kailan (2005)

    With its jangly guitars and aching refrain, defining the mid-2000s revival of the British influenced pop-rock. “Hanggang Kailan” became a part of everyday Filipino social spaces. Becoming a familiar sound on Philippine music television channels such as Myx and its heavy rotation on the radio. This Orange & Lemons hit was always a popular choice at your school’s battle of the bands. Up until this day, the line “Umuwi ka na baby…” always finds its way onto the karaokes of your family gatherings, bars, and neighborhood celebrations. – Adrian Jade Francisco

    28. Sheila And The Insects – Maude (2005)

    Sometimes forming a band name should reflect who the band members are, both in synchronicity and in pure lone, but for Sheila and the Insects, the name was less about who they are as people; it became an eternal possibility disguised as an abstract musical ecstasy. Formerly ‘The End’, Sheila and the Insects started the world of infinite by naming themselves after a mystery; there is no Sheila. But there is music, and there is Sheila and the Insects’ raspy-rueful rocks as their guitars glide aglow. Being one of Cebu’s ever-adored indie acts, the band continues to verily be one of the ludic signifiers as to why life listens to music, and vice versa. – Julia Harumi Kudo

    27. Silent Sanctuary – Ikaw Lamang (2007)

    he popularity of “Ikaw Lamang” in the early 2000s became a signpost for coming-of-age romance– personal blog posts from Blogger, Facebook, and even MySpace all document what this promising track means to its listeners. If Filipinos had diplomats to defend our romantic nature, Silent Sanctuary would be our envoy due to their ability to strip love to its barest form: the illustration of love before it enters metamorphosis. Arguably an Emo song due to its heartfelt orchestration, it blends its strings, piano, and emotive vocals into a masterful confession and proclamation of devotion and desire– ultimately sculpting its own well-deserved pedestal with “OPM Love Song Of The Century” labelled on the plaque. – Faye Allego

    26. Sitti – Para Sa Akin (2006)

    Sitti struck the perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication in “Para Sa Akin”, showing how one can display honest emotions without sacrificing elegance. Rather, it even exemplifies elegance as Sitti’s channel to her core tenet—benevolent love. As a result, “Para Sa Akin” has become a go-to song in countless weddings. This proves not only its success as a hit song, but as “Para Sa Akin” a champion of its own principle. Making bossa nova a catchy listen to the average ear is but the cherry on top. – Nikolai Dineros

    25. U-Pistol, Similarobjects – Sa Ilalim ng Buwan (2015)

    U-Pistol, who sang mostly in English, Japanese, and Korean under the Los Angeles netlabel Zoom Lens, performed in Tagalog for the first time in “Sa Ilalim ng Buwan,” an electro-house track produced by Similarobjects. In the track, they turned love into something exhausting, debilitating, and distant. This B-side to his single “Moonlight” is somehow a remarkable track for its improbability: two Filipino artists, working across time zones and internet circuits, so geographically scattered, making a Tagalog song that is so culturally niche that would later find its way into OPM memory. – Jax Figarola

    24. Sugarfree – Burnout (2003)

    A conversation about Sugarfree would never not mention their timeless hit “Burnout”. A song about a love that slowly fizzled out, the most-streamed track on the band’s debut album ‘Sa Wakas,’ is one of those songs that cuts you with its gut-punch lyricism. What makes it even more iconic is its music video, pointing to a time when it became possible to meet the love of your life (and mess it up) through Oz World. Every time “Burnout” unexpectedly plays while riding a jeep or walking along once familiar routes, Ebe Dancel’s distinct singing can immediately warp time to quietly play out moments of a similar experience inside the listener’s mind. – Aly Maaño

    23. Slapshock – Cariño Brutal (2009)

    With “Carino Brutal,” Slapshock delivers a technically impressive heavyweight track that resonates not just with their core audience or even the wider rock landscape of their time, but also with casual listeners who wouldn’t usually listen to music of the same genre. The band’s shift towards a more metalcore sound paid off, particularly for those who don’t even pay attention to the genre: its relatively straightforward lyrics, delivered by the iconic Jamir Garcia, has transcended the genres Slapshock takes inspiration from. “Carino Brutal” is simply an anthem.  – Lex Celera

    22. Nina – Someday (2006)

    In 2006, Nina recorded a covers album of the kind of love songs every Filipino loves: music that houses our yearning for the love that we deserve, and lyrics that show the lengths we go in search of our better halves.

    The following year, Nina would distill these things into her own song; as soon as the words to “Someday” left her lips, they touched the hearts of millions of Filipinos. Today, no karaoke night or singing competition is complete without someone getting in their feels singing this song. The standards singer now has a standard to call her own. – Gabriel Bagahansol

    21. Gagong Rapper – Kabet (2004)

    Only a few tracks invoke a whole aesthetic in our mind’s eye in the first few seconds. Who knew that song about being someone’s second choice would resonate with multiple generations for more than twenty years? While its relatively recent viral status might have relegated “Kabet” to a novelty, “Kabet” is both a standard bearer and one of its essential tracks in Filipino hip-hop lovecore. The Sandamukal and Dongalo-affiliated group will most likely be remembered by this track, whose title already preempts the singular pain it conveys over its five-minute runtime. The iconic piano line is undeniable in our collective psyche.  – Lex Celera

    20. Nadine Lustre – Paligoy-ligoy (2014)

    Nadine Lustre’s “Paligoy-ligoy” from the beloved Diary ng Panget soundtrack feels like a song that should never have become a cult hit years later — and yet it did. Pow Chavez’s lyric writing pairs naturally with Lustre’s effortless delivery, resonating across a generation. Beyond fashion and wit, her influence stretches through pop via the strength of a simple, effective chorus. Bojam’s bitpop production, to this day, feels both dated and underutilized, hinting at a future that never fully arrived. A future unwritten is culture unpreserved. If we’re being honest, a pop artifact like this belongs in the National Museum — at least in terms of internet culture. – Elijah Pareño

    19. Ron Henley – Biglang Liko (2012)

    Ron Henley will most likely be remembered by most for this track that’s too catchy for its own good. Sex metaphors ease their way into our subconscious through Pow Chavez’s breezy hook under a Flipmusic blueprint. But it’s Henley’s clever and nimble lyricism that cements its position. Even now, you can hear someone recite “Biglang Liko” word for word in the right circumstances. And even now, someone’s interest is piqued to decipher meaning from this hip-hop and pop-adjacent banger. – Lex Celera

    18. December Avenue – Sa Ngalan ng Pag Ibig (2017)

    With its piano flourishes, soaring vocals, and arena-sized chorus, it’s unfair to dismiss December Avenue as merely an extension of hugotcore’s past. “Sa Ngalan ng Pag-ibig” captures bombast through sweeping melodies, emotional overreach, and towering buildups that transcended time, space, and karaoke machines everywhere. Lead singer Zel Bautista once doubted he could hit the bullseye, but choosing optimism — in the name of love — proved decisive. The song was able to redefine pop rock for better and worse, changing its emotional core as devotion pushed to the edge. “Sino dito nasaktan?” If anyone’s to blame, it’s December Avenue. – Elijah Pareño

    17. Radioactive Sago Project – Astro (2004)

    The jazz fusion band Radioactive Sago Project would almost need no introduction if you’d already been delving into the alternative scene for a mere three months at most. However, to the untrained ear and patron of the arts, they were the biggest thing known to every hipster at the time with the emergence of “Astro.” Even the music video directed by R.A. Rivera also needs no introduction, as it literally introduced the band to the mainstream where storytelling, beat poetry, and a diverse array of instrumentation, whether it looked like you were part of a marching band or a punk show, all collided into a smorgasbord ready to smack you in the face, with Radioactive Sago Project welcoming you with open ears.

    At a time when OPM was at a crossroads between nu-metal and pogi rock, they were right in the middle of that Venn diagram, and “Astro” sat perfectly in that transition, ultimately standing out in the scene among their cohorts. – Elijah Pareño

    16. SB19 – Go Up (2019)

    “Go Up” is a song that skyrocketed SB19’s humble beginnings — a dance practice video of the boy group performing the track became a viral sensation online, helping to mold them into the Pinoy pop royalty that they are today.

    Produced by Oh-won Lee, “Go Up” follows the tropical house trend popularized during late third generation Korean pop: clean synths, modified vocal samples in the background, and clap cymbal stacks waiting for the perfect moment, all soaking in the sound of summer. It’s not merely a matter of “Filipinos can do it too,” as K-Pop adjacent the track may be; “Go Up” lets you hear how far Filipino music can go. – Noelle Alarcon

    15. South Border – Rainbow (2003)

    After yet another line-up change, South Border’s R&B formula eventually reinvents itself upon the release of “Rainbow”. Lilting grooves and woodwind accents pull you in close to Duncan Ramos and Vince Alara’s honeyed optimism. They relish the romantic affections with pain, but also hope. The ups and downs of life that make love everlasting.

    This is a deliberate swerve that further established their name right after, evolving from their straightforward crooning ballads that shifted to lush neo-soul. They’ve garnered noteworthy hits beforehand, and with this song, they managed to pass grander heights with flying colors. – Louis Pelingen

    14. Jake Zyrus feat. Iyaz – Pyramid (2010)

    “Pyramid” dominated every MP3 player, iPod, and iTunes playlist when it came out in 2010. The raw power and talent in Jake Zyrus’ vocals paired with a pop melody so catchy it hijacks the ear, it’s no wonder why the track was a chart topper not just here in the Philippines, but internationally as well, reaching the Billboard Hot 100 list at #56. “Pyramid” is just one of the many reminders to the rest of the world that the Philippines shouldn’t be slept on when it comes to talents like Zyrus. – Rory Marshall

    13. Sarah Geronimo – Tala (2015)

    There is a stark marker that stands between life before the global pandemic and life after it – Sarah Geronimo’s “Tala” is one of the many things that make up said marker, being a TikTok trend during this midway period. Composed, written, and produced by pop virtuosos FlipMusic, Nica del Rosario, and R&B genius Alisson Shore, this song is as poppy as it gets, cementing Geronimo’s “Ultimate Pop Superstar” title. The percussion and pulsing keys drive the track, taking hold of whoever is listening to it and unconsciously causing them to move their hips. Dancehall-influenced “Tala’s” reflections on falling in love too fast united a whole nation, bringing hope in a time of peak hopelessness. – Noelle Alarcon

    12. Typecast – Will You Ever Learn (2006)

    Typecast cemented their place as one of the most successful emo and underground acts to break into the mainstream, both locally and across Southeast Asia. “Will You Ever Learn” rose to popularity through their DIY ethic and early use of platforms like Myspace to expand their reach in 2007. Their credentials as a band that started in Laguna also added to their cult following early on in the internet. Their blend of alternative rock and post-hardcore, paired with a strong online presence, made them feel global, often mistaken for a foreign band. It marked a shift in how Filipino underground acts could exist beyond borders. – Jax Figarola

    11. IV OF SPADES – Mundo (2018)

    When “Mundo” came out in 2018, the band’s dalliance with gauzy indie pop exploded into stardust, effectively breaking them through into the long-lasting spotlight. These once wunderkinds glow across the coats of shimmering synths and pumping grooves, tailoring around Unique’s understated vocals that swoon into the chorus, and Blaster’s guitar solo revving them up into space.

    This creates a starry atmosphere that never loses its focus and only grows louder as it goes on. Eventually garnering everyone’s attention and becoming the epitome of a song that’s never lost its luster, still revolving the world with a glinting light. – Louis Pelingen

    10. MNL48 – Pag-Ibig Fortune Cookie (2018)

    As the sister group of Japanese idol girl group AKB48, the Philippines’ MNL48 turned “Pag-Ibig Fortune Cookie” into more than a rendition. It is best described as a defining pop moment in the 2020s and the impetus behind the P-pop craze in the country. What makes the song special to many Filipinos is its bright and brassy instrumentation and the familiar marching band energy. While the group remains active today, the era of “Pag-Ibig Fortune Cookie” and its playful choreography lives on as a collective memory of infectious joy. – Jax Figarola

    9. Maldita – Porque (2011)

    In Maldita’s sleeper hit “Porque”, an acoustic guitar and a lone voice take center stage. Despite its uncomplicated lyricism, “Porque” manifests the feelings of regret and bitterness after a failed romance. Its iconic status is not just for nailing 2010’s teenage angst, but also for its witty code-switching between Filipino and Chavacano. That’s how Maldita made the country sing a dialect that only 0.3% of Filipinos use.

    Its popularity also influenced other artists to use their native languages, causing a brief period where non-Tagalog songs found success in Imperial Manila. As long as it reached the audience’s beating heart, it would resonate, no matter the language barrier. – JK Caray

    8. DiCe and K9, Hi-C – Itsumo (2004)

    Gentle, carefree melodies as sweet as candy, wrapped in the raw, thundering boom bap, with slick rap verses on the side — “Itsumo” gave us this flavor of R&B we now sorely miss from the early aughts. It’s only made better with a serving of pancit canton and cold lemon soda. ‘Itsumo’ cheered us up in our most dire of defeats and celebrated with us in the most radiant of victories. DiCe, K9, and Hi-C have struck gold and set Imperial Manila’s eyes towards their hometown of Cebu, and it has never been the same since then.

    Somewhere else, this song is probably on loop, with your slowly emptying pocket being the only thing that’s keeping you from going to the counter to tell Kuya, “Pa-extend,” just to hear it one more time. – Nikolai Dineros

    7. Dos Fuertes – Tarat Tat (2007)

    Someday, local historians will find within the Philippines’ rich archives an account of a major cultural breakthrough, when in 2007, two creative minds in Zamboanga’s hip-hop scene — Mohammed Bansil (a.k.a. DJ Medmessiah, founder of Morobeats) and Clifford Ronquillo — made history with the release of “Tarat Tat”. A reggaeton track sang in Chavacano de Zamboanga and Tausug,

    “Tarat Tat” is a masterpiece in diplomacy and art that integrates Zamboangan culture into the already culturally diverse genre through the abstract glue we all recognize as our bodies’ unbridled desire for kinetic energy. – Nikolai Dineros

    6. Sexbomb – Spageti Song (2003)

    “The Spageti Song” is the defining hit that launched Sexbomb Girls into superstardom while pioneering an entire wave of Pop music in the 2000s.

    The cultural impact of this song was exceptional. Along with a viral dance craze, “The Spageti Song’s” comically instructional lyrics made for a hit accessible to every demographic. It even skyrocketed Sexbomb Girls as the best-selling girl group in Asia at the time. 

    Above all, the attribute that truly sold the song to the Filipino masses was the campness it possessed. It was television music, unserious and raunchy at times, but the people loved the fact that a group of pop stars finally got their sense of humor. – JK Caray

    5. Itchyworms – Beer (2005)

    “Beer” is THE ultimate rock videoke anthem. The opening guitar riff is perhaps the most recognizable intro ever, echoing through bars, poolside hangouts, and late-night drinking sessions. It’s tied to shared Filipino practices: pulutan on the table or wet barbecue by the pool, while stories get louder as the night deepens.

    Even decades later, Itchyworms remain a staple  in the eventful lives that we lead, because the song understands something simple—love is just as good as beer. – Jax Figarola

    4. Up Dharma Down – Tadhana (2012)

    Up Dharma Down became quintessential to hugot playlists, with “Tadhana” as their most defining song. It’s all the more sentimental when UDD recorded the drafts of the song at the peak of a mountain in Sagada, the place that once was extremely popular, where broken hearts go.

    The song is so moving that it boosted the municipality’s tourism. Its cultural imprint deepened when it became inseparable from the 2014 film ‘That Thing Called Tadhana’ and TV series ‘Ilumina,’ where it was part of their soundtracks. These pairings mirrored how an entire generation came to understand love, timing, and letting go. – Jax Figarola

    3. 187 Mobstaz – We Don’t Die, We Multiply (2012)

    There’s a gargantuan ambition to 187 MOBSTAZ’s momentous posse cut, as it unfolds over a sprawling 14-minute verbal riffs stomping across a scintillating beat. It’s representative of the Filipino hip-hop scene that never backs down, spraying forth the hip-hop life that goes through struggles and strives to keep its feet on the streets. 

    Every minute passed, each rapper gave their all. One melodic chorus, 36 aggressively rattling verses, all with a fiery attitude. They echo what the track title really meant. In hip-hop, the old voices leave a moving statement, leaving a legacy for the new voices to follow through. – Louis Pelingen

    2. DJ Love – Tiw Tiw (2006)

    “Tiw Tiw”, both the sound and the track, is the backbone of budots ever since its invention in 2006. The original sound has been sampled across countless dance remixes since the genre’s inception in Davao City, with its titular rhythm becoming the hallmark of the genre. There aren’t many genres in the world we can take pride in like DJ Love’s creation.

    In the track’s “reloaded” version in 2024, DJ Love pushed this sound further by adding influences of hypnotic techno. The track continues to move and move people, to grow and be built upon, and to evolve and be reworked upon. – Jax Figarola

    1.  Kitchie Nadal – Huwag Na Huwag Mong Sasabihin (2004)

    Among the recognizable hits in The Kitchie Nadal Medley, “Huwag Na Huwag Mong Sasabihin” is definitely the one song that your cousins will fight you over at karaoke. After that iconic opening riff, Nadal’s powerful voice immediately sends you into a state of yearning. It’s a familiar situation that has resonated with Filipinos everywhere, transforming it into a timeless classic revered in both mainstream and underground spaces.

    Ergo, in the case that my cousin tries to steal the mic as Huwag Na Huwag Mong Sasabihin comes on, I’d fight tooth and nail as long as I get to sing it. – JK Caray


    First and foremost, I’d like to thank the Visayas and Mindanao journalists, promoters, musicians who listed out their hometown heroes, favorite musicians, and artists from their neighboring towns, barangays, bayans, cities, municipalities, provinces etc. Without them, this list wouldn’t be a complete “Filipino music” list:

    Erik Tuban of Pawn Records, KC Salazar of Indie CDO, and Kara Angan and Karl Lucente of Filla Killa.

    Special thanks to the TFL editorial staff writers that made this happen, your contribution to Filipino music writing has now been forever etched in online history:

    Lex Celera, Louis Pelingen, Faye Allego, Nikolai Dineros, Noelle Alarcon, Gabriel Bagahansol, Aly Maaño, Jax Figarola, JK Caray, Julienne Loreto, Paolo Elwick, Adrian Jade Francisco, Julia Harumi Kudo, Rory Marshall.

    Junk Pax Silica

    Stop the U.S. and Israeli War Machine

    Stop Killing Journalists

    Marcos-Duterte-Trump-Netanhayu Mga Pasista

    Free Palestine

    Free Congo

    Free Sudan

    With love,

    Founder and editorial-in-chief

    Elijah P.

    TFL

    ESTABLISHED JUNE 2016

  • THE BEST FILIPINO RELEASES OF 2025

    THE BEST FILIPINO RELEASES OF 2025

    Filipino music continues to show its range and resilience across scenes and cities, with bands like Linger Escape shedding light to Bicol’s shoegaze scene with ‘We All End In The Same Place’. Elsewhere, SOS settled into a more steady and mature ground in their craft with ‘It Was A Moment’, a record shaped by patience, distance, and willpower. Meanwhile, WAIIAN’s ‘BACKSHOTS’ spent the year operating on what success means to him and what the rewarding tune of excitement sounds like when your friends have always stuck around for you. 

    What made 2025 stand out was this shared sense of grounding; Artists weren’t chasing trends as much as they were refining their voice, trusting their communities, and allowing time to do its work. Across regions and genres, releases felt deliberate and lived-in. Point to a scene that continues to move forward through consistency, craft, connection, and of course, a little bit of hype. 

    We saw standout releases from artists all across the spectrum, including the Hardcore Punk intricacies of Ghost Stories, the exploration of femininity in Barbie Almalbis’ ‘Not That Girl,’ the rawness of Man Made Evil’s self-titled debut album, the ultimate sci fye comeback, and Hazylazy’s approach to ‘Antagonisms,’ among many others. From indie rock and shoegaze to hip-hop, hardcore, pop, and club classics, these acts reflect the celebration of depth and diversity in Filipino music in 2025. 

    This list gathers the releases that stayed with us throughout 2025. We hope they find their way into your rotation into the new year. – Faye Allego 

    30. Fatigued – Negative Tide

    Though Emilio Gonzales is the solo force behind Fatigued, ‘Negative Tide’ speaks in a trio of narrators: Gonzales through his moniker, the voice of his Jazzmaster, and the ever-present murmur of emotional unrest. The guitar carries the story as much as the vocals do, blurred at the edges and a little bruised, guiding the regret with quiet intensity along Gonzales’ own introspection.  Love in absence, growth is failure, and yearning is confrontation. It stays catchy enough to hook, yet sad enough to bruise, tasting bittersweet like unfinished truths. In surrendering control, Gonzales proves unrest can still sound this tender and whole. — Faye Allego

    29. Bambu – They’re Burning The Boats

    Don’t mind the tiering on this list for now; just pay attention for a good minute: here are three reasons you should listen to Bambu’s latest project. 

    First, and most importantly, Bambu writes his lyrics as if our lives – as colonized peoples, as members of the “Global South,” as the disenfranchised and disempowered – depend on it. The rapper-activist has always spoken with a sense of urgency in the same vein as the saying “rap is the CNN of the streets.” It’s reportage broken down in verse and beautiful rhyme. Everything he speaks rings in the corridors of the present day.

    Second, even after more than two decades, Bambu’s sharp tongue has never dulled. The shattering of the wisdom he dispenses comes after his smooth delivery – never cold or calculated. Production, courtesy of Fatgums, addle Bambu’s lyricism to a hypnotic state. The heads already love this. 

    Third, ‘They’re Burning The Boats’ eschews Bambu’s wisdom that points towards the future. Empathy, political commentary, and emotive storytelling are common threads in Bambu’s body of work, but this time around, it comes in a different hue. Not too fiery, not too world-weary, but still quick enough to leave you slack-jawed. Listen to it. Right now. — Lex Celera

    28. Manny Most High – The Offering

    ‘The Offering’ is Manny Most High’s invitation to his stream of consciousness. In his debut album, the Australian-based, Filipino hip-hop artist extracts the genre’s essentials and contemporary derivatives to create something cohesive and self-aware. Tracks like “Father,” “8 Ball,” and “Hot Date” weave classic boom bap with hypnotic loops and atmospheric production to capture a visceral feeling. There’s also “Collapse,” which takes the characteristics of cloud rap and trap music to deliver melodic bars in lofi fashion, akin to Yung Lean’s style. The use of moody instrumentals along with Manny’s reverbed vocals intends to make each track feel like a recorded journal entry played over hazy beats. A true experimentalist, Manny Most High proves that constant reinvention is necessary for any quintessential creation. — Aly Maaño

    27. Bins – Body Project

    A producer and a DJ in Metro Manila’s underground music scene since 2012, Bins debuts with his EP ‘The Body Project,’ a spiritual four-track house project that reconciles the body and the soul through dance. The steady 4/4 pulse lassoes the body into a soulful swaying, reminiscent of the ecstatic clarity of 1970s gay spaces where the songs’ rhythmic structure was gospel. These favor groove over gesture, as they encourage endless dancing without ever feeling punishing. Bins showcases the genre’s simplicity with his funky and hypnotic synths. If house has always lived as the music between sin and salvation, Bins leans into that line with tenderness, and proves that bodily pleasure (that isn’t sex) can be a route toward something quite transcendent. — Jax Figarola

    [bandcamp width=350 height=470 album=705163910 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false]

    26. (e)motion engine – tell me how you f(e)el

    ‘tell me how you f(e)el’ is a mixed bag of bangers. With their single releases “boy” and “milk” finding a home in the debut EP, (e)motion engine takes the chance to flesh out their sound while still delivering on what made fans fall in love in the first place. The 6-piece project offers tracks that are moshpit worthy all the way to quiet contemplation. Ranging stylistically, they’re all unified in (e)motion engine’s unwavering need to be unapologetic in their vulnerability. It’s evident that no matter what direction they go with a track, they wear their hearts on their sleeve as they do it. Once the engine starts rolling, it’ll be hard to stop it.  — Rory Marshall

    25. A Side Boondocks – ANAK SA LIKING KAWAYAN

    Packed with heavy, blaring bass and a whole lot of attitude, A Side Boondocks show how boom bap is done right: think the Beastie Boys if they had the street cred to back up their music. Accompanied by quirky, pitched-up background vocals and immersive sound effects, this record is proof that sometimes, simple production taking the reins is more than enough. The aspects present in the music, though consisting of the most minute differences, are creatively deliberate and necessary in delivering the narrative they’re painting. The collective is unapologetically themselves in ‘ANAK SA LIKING KAWAYAN,’ every rise and fall of their intonation essential to punctuating the coolness they possess. — Noelle Alarcon

    24. OZO – That, I Know

    The story of friends starting a band rarely survives contact with ambition, but Oz Kabuhat has turned that tension into fuel. “That, I Know” unfolds like a laboratory test that never stops mutating. With the help of his loyal collaborators, R&B sits at the center, but the sonics keep getting bent out of shape, pulled toward art-rock abrasion, pop melodrama, and moments of deliberate ugliness. What makes the project compelling is not its genre play, but its refusal to settle into comfort. Kabuhat and his collaborators treat the songs like a moving target, rearranging emotion and texture in real time. Melodies arrive, get interrupted, then return bruised; “That, I Know” suggests a Gen Z artist documents the sound of a band learning how far it can push itself before something breaks and deciding to push further anyway. — Elijah P.

    23. Ghost Stories – Immortalized By Poetry

    Bearing the brunt of an increasingly apathetic world focused on serving the corporate overlords’ requests, the artists have learned to kill their dreams. When faced with the reality that being an artist is often not the most sustainable way of living, we force ourselves to abandon it or conform to what’s acceptable.

    That’s why whenever we learn about artists dying right at the cusp of greatness, we start to dream of macabre fiction. Fantasies that you may also be a misunderstood artist like Van Gogh, or too ahead of your time like Kafka was. 

    Laced with Greek mythology references and youthful idiosyncrasies, Immortalized by Poetry encourages you to keep creating even if nobody sees or hears. Centuries may pass, still, your likeness lives forever in the art you’ve created, proof that you once existed. A sound is still a sound around no one, after all. — JK Caray

    [bandcamp width=350 height=470 album=1645567103 size=large bgcol=ffffff linkcol=0687f5 tracklist=false]

    22. stab – wounds of fury

    For twenty-four minutes, the members of Cebu hardcore band stab. waste no time yanking off their bandages. Except by the end of this, someone else’s blood will be spilling on the floor. The band thrashes and bashes in time while lead vocalist AnnieSTFU inflicts lacerations on all the worst kinds of men, the type that foul up any place where they make their wretched presence known, be it a personal space or the Batasang Pambansa. Each track on ‘wounds of fury’ is a yelp of anger, the violent end of a repression, the scream that sets off a chain of well-deserved revenge. — Eve Bagahansol

    21. &nd – Quarters

    On their first collection of songs, the Bacolod-based band &nd play reliably warm and comfortable dreampop with infectious hooks and dazzling textures. But instead of trying to fill both of your ears and taking up the aural space, they opt to let their sounds dissolve together into a hazy bliss that radiates out from the middle, making you feel as though you’re towing the line between a dreamstate and a late-night TV movie.

    One compelling quarter from this EP is the song “Best Of Luck,” where the thrill of romance is turned into an impressionistic landscape painted with swelling guitars, free-flowing words, and a vocal performance that will have you imagining how things would’ve been like if Taylor Swift had sold her acoustic guitars and bought effects pedals fifteen years ago. — Eve Bagahansol

    20. RamonPang – The Answer Breaks

    Leave it to a Fil-Am to dip their toes in club music–whether it’s artists like Ramon Pang himself or the roots of Jocelyn Enriquez, Fil-Am artists bring the bounciness of Filipino quirkiness to Western soundscapes. The buildups in Pang’s music are careful, considerate, giving you a few moments to survey the dancefloor before fully losing yourself in the beat. Each track gets richer as the runtimes move forward, every additional component enriching, never overstepping, the foundations he forms. Decorating liminal synth spaces with the grittiness of UK garage and four-on-the-floor house percussion, Pang’s sample-laden single is a product of the sounds of his past, expressed with utmost authenticity through the pure love of the game. — Noelle Alarcon

    19. Sci Fye – 2092

    sci fye’s ‘2092’ sounds like a transmission from a future where burnout, corporate dread, and small acts of rebellion mix into the same daily loop. The album moves through interludes and sharp turns that track the vocalist’s frustrations and moments of disillusionment. It feels like a rock record pieced together during a long commute, where thoughts drift between quitting, escaping, and tearing everything down just to feel something. Highlights such as “Drown It Out,” “N,” “Song,” and “Bastard” shift between melodic stretches and sudden left turns that keep the listener slightly off balance. 

    Moreover, sci fye is not interested in predictability. The band uses feedback, distortion, sharp rhythms, and emotional pivots to build a record that mirrors the instability of the world it imagines. ‘2092’ never settles into one identity. Instead, it captures a sense of urgency that feels familiar to anyone who has ever felt stuck in a system designed to drain them. It is a future that looks uncomfortably close and a soundtrack built for pushing against it.  — Elijah P.

    18. Linger Escape – We All End In The Same Place

    Naga City’s very own Linger Escape hit us with a cacophonous masterpiece this year. ‘We All End in The Same Place’ is the band’s first-ever official longform release, and it’s proving to be a long-standing pillar in the Filipino shoegaze genre. linger escape managed to create a palpable, sonorous whirlwind that’s nothing short of enthralling to the listener. A thick, resonant,  atmosphere of steady intensity built with their reverbed guitar distortion and vocals, either layered and melodic or gruff and harsh. With this being Linger Escape’s first ever album, it shows that this is just the tip of the iceberg for them, and is a prime example of what Naga’s, and the whole country’s shoegaze scene could offer. — Rory Marshall

    17. Megumi Acorda – Sun Blanket

    When the ‘Unexpectedly’ EP dropped, the local scene was introduced to Megumi Acorda, and soon, she formed a quintet fluent in longing, translating dusk-colored feelings into reverb, fuzz, and emotional afterglow. With 2025’s ‘Sun Blanket,’ the ache remains, but it burns warmer. Instrumentally, the EP moves with patience. The guitars are satisfyingly fuzzy without drowning the mix, hitting that sweet spot between shoegaze haze and garage band grit. The production is engineered and mastered with such delicate care that everything lands crisp to the ear, almost startling in its clarity. The lyrics are seasoned and conversational, delivered like late-night overthink texts rather than performed lines. What makes Sun Blanket work best is how naturally it matches the groove with the fuzz while maintaining that beloved garage band atmosphere. It’s unpolished in spirit, refined in sound. A warm, honest listen that sticks. “Sun Blanket” is undeniable proof that yearning, when handled by the right hands, can still shine.  — Faye Allego

    16. Michael Seyer – Boylife

    “Boylife” feels like the auditory version of Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, but now observed through the lens of Michael Seyer’s own coming-of-age stories. Through feathery vocals and weathered compositions, he carries emotions of his past and present. From a boy still confused about the world around him, feeling lonely and surveilled, to a man who wanders about his life, but now has people around him to keep him supported. 

    Michael Seyer’s process of growing up is emotionally complicated, but relatably honest. It’s not easy figuring those things out altogether, but for him, he carries a balm singing them all out. It’s a blanket of truth cushioned by an 80’s singer-songwriter palette, a way of recalling memories that’s simultaneously reminiscent and contemporary. — Louis Pelingen

    15. SOS – It Was A Moment

    Follow-ups that take so long to stew don’t always tend to work out in the end, but fortunately to everyone involved, SOS embraced their past slip-ups and turned them into a note of change. ‘It Was A Moment’ is a long-awaited follow-through whose moments always mature. A growing up phase of the band steeped in dusting off the shelves, seeing each other to parse through what just happened for the past 7 years, and moving forward with an assured glint in the eye. 

    This is maturity that’s stamped over to their musicality. Performing in and out of the studio, where romantic statements are laced in introspection, mid-2010s synth-inflected pop evokes more grooves and refinement, and expanded their writing capabilities, going so far as to write songs in Tagalog with pure confidence. Growing up can sure be a weird moment, and for SOS, they’ve done the work for the better. Leading up to this moment, that’s very much worth the wait. — Louis Pelingen

    14. Djuno – Moonrats

    Djuno’s ‘Moonrats’ feels like an internal monologue cracked open and scattered across an album. The debut full-length carries the tone of someone who spends most nights awake, sorting through feelings through folders that arrive too fast to name. The production leans toward lo-fi textures that fade in and out like unfinished drafts and demos, but the songwriting underneath has intention even when it sounds frayed at the edges. Tracks such as “Phlegm,” “Menthol Song,” “Dead Horse,” and “Drenched in Amber” move between digital melancholy and confession. 

    The album creates its world from scraps of synths, fragile vocals, and moments where emotion spills out before it can be edited down via DAW. “Moonrats” sits outside the usual language used to describe ‘sadcore’ because Djuno is not interested in fitting into that mold. The work feels more personal than dependent on genre. It is a debut that finds charm in its unease and clarity in the kind of mess that most artists avoid showing. — Elijah P.

    13. Chezka – Misfire 

    There is something beneath the shimmer of pop culture virality found within Chezka’s music.  Her viral success has landed, among other things, a deal with Underdog Music, producer credits on a Joyner Lucas and Jelly Roll track (crazy, I know), and hundreds of streams on her first EP, ‘Misfire,’ a five-track collection of songs she has built over the years. Her breakthrough did not come overnight. “Misfire,” the EP’s title track, was composed in segments the artist had shared on TikTok years ago. 

    As her voice coos and falters in hush tones over a soft guitar, she follows the same trajectory of introspective folk-pop you can expect from the likes of Clara Benin and NIKI. But the images she conjures are too specific, maintaining a point of view that she can call her own. Somewhere, sometime, someone’s emotional wounds are yet to be tended by this EP. Many things bloom in silence, but the weight of emotional anguish can only be lifted by a song like “What Could’ve Been.” — Lex Celera

    12. Ligaya Escueta – Dollweb

    Ligaya Escueta’s sophomore album chronicles that moment when a teenager turns 18. And nothing happens… yet. You don’t change immediately, but somehow the world expects you’re already an adult with valid IDs to fill and voting responsibility. It’s a dizzying experience that rarely gets talked about, making Dollweb feel like a breath of fresh air in the saturation of coming-of-age releases.

    Throughout the album, Escueta’s prodigious sense in penning infectious hooks and well-placed dynamic shifts shines through. Bearing her alt-rock influences on her sleeves, she fashions them in a way that makes even your uncle, who’s a Smashing Pumpkins fan and religiously swears by Pinkerton, itching to ask, “What song is that?”. For a talent still at the onset of her career, Dollweb is the kind of album that puts Escueta on the radar for everyone to pay attention to. — JK Caray

    11. emma bot – Radio Emma

    With pop-punk energy that never lets up throughout its fourteen tracks, ‘Radio Emma’ is lightning in a bottle. From its explosive opening track, “C.O.T.Y.” all the way to closer “Bottle Rocket,” it’s an album that relentlessly bombards you with catchy riffs and harmonies, but also knows when to let the listener breathe. And that’s not to mention the samples from old cartoons such as Spongebob or Hey Arnold! that simply exude a sense of thoroughly belonging to this generation, a generation holding on to youth for dear life. Emma bot invites you to join them in celebrating this youth for one last time before we finally come of age.

    It’s an invitation that is certainly very enticing, with its melodies that harken back to pop-punk’s heyday and lyrics that anyone grappling with growing up can relate to. Radio Emma sounds like it was pulled straight out of the venues of the underground and put into a form that you can tune into any time you want. — Francine Sundiang

    10. orteus – surgery

    Surgeries are considered the last choice in medical procedures for a reason. When all treatments have been exhausted and options have been narrowed down to one, you’ll have to rely on the art of precise laceration. 

    At first, it’s the promises of light at the end of the tunnel that prompt an operation. Leave your old self. Fix everything in an instant. Mend a broken body. From a cynical perspective, surgery comes off as a barbaric medical practice only reserved for those too scared of their own mortality. For another, it’s a symbol of a person’s unwavering determination to fight and continue living. 

    orteus’ surgery submerges itself in morbid imagery and disturbing words, an aesthetic built as a coping mechanism. Whether it’s fixing a doomed relationship or changing into someone else, surgery takes us through a procedure that radically changes us down to the cellular level. If it gets better or goes south, we’ll just have to keep listening to find out. — JK Caray

    9. Alisson Shore – MEMENTO MORI

    Alisson Shore approaches ‘MEMENTO MORI’ as a filmmaker arranging a story that unfolds in fragments. The album introduces a love that grows, bends, and eventually turns on itself. The concept holds because he treats emotional collapse with as much detail as the early moments of connection, rinse and repeat in the process. Tracks such as “Lason,” “DOD,” “Kapangyarihan,” and “Sarili Muna” shift in tone and tempo to match the instability of the narrative. His voice drops, rises, and slips in and out of the cliches of melodic writing as if each section belongs to a different version of the same character. 

    The production treats tenderness and violence with equal weight. Nothing is exaggerated, but everything hits with clarity. ‘MEMENTO MORI’ traces the cost of devotion and the consequences that follow when love becomes a cycle with no exit point. The album ties its concept together without losing the rawness that makes it work. It is a portrait of affection turning on itself and the uneasy realization that sometimes the antagonist is the person in the mirror. — Elijah P.

    8. Hazylazy – ANTAGONISMS

    The woes of life are constant. Most of us ignore them, run from them, all in an effort to cope. But ‘ANTAGONISMS’  posits there’s a different way. Laguna’s resident fuzzmonger Hazylazy confronts them head-on, finally removing the mask of complacency while declaring enough is enough; antagonising them in the long gruelling process. Exploring the frustration that comes with the monotony of life, and how that could weigh down on someone’s day-to-day life, Jason Fernandez’s brainchild wades through these emotions from start to finish. The album’s themes are usually dealt with internally, alone and in silence, but for Hazylazy, he bursts out the prison-walls of the mind through in-your-face, headbang-worthy fuzz rock.

    5 years is a long time, but when it comes to ‘ANTAGONISMS,’ it was worth the wait. The record at large is tinged with melancholia, but what Hazylazy masterfully understands is not to shroud it with distortion and noise, but rather to highlight and put in the forefront of his sound, and in that way, it provides much-needed catharsis to the listener.— Rory Marshall

    7. Feng – What The Feng

    Feng knows how to be young, and more impressively, he knows how to bottle youth and re-release it like a vapor-sealed time capsule with a giant zebra print wrapped around the glass. Replying to a comment from his “Kids From The West” music video, he fondly insisted that the hipster zeitgeist of the 2010s was “not a concept, it’s a lifestyle.” It’s a playful line, but it also functions as an aesthetic thesis for his 2025 debut, ‘What The Feng,’ a compact, 16-minute record that resurrects the cloud rap spirit through the saturation of memory, adolescence, and even a tinge of twee. 

    This time, ten years ago, the internet was glitter-loud with Snapchat filters and sepia tints were nowhere near to be found on the presets of VSCO Cam; it was a period defined by curated hipster softness, blurry sincerity, and even ironic self-mythology. Think: Zendaya Swag era. With Feng, his simple lyrics and glass-light punchlines sonically occupy that time period, toppling that nostalgia with unserious flexing that defined early underground cloud rap circles. The production on ‘What The Feng’ feels engineered for headphones and skateboard rides after school– it’s full of glossy synths, punchy 808s, and mixdowns shimmering with euphoria. Feng casts a spell in how eargasmic the beats feel, especially given the runtime, almost like the rush of adolescence. — Faye Allego

    6. Daspan En Walis – Askal Projection Vol. 1

    Equipped with more than just Juan Dela Cruz’s swagger, Daspan En Walis answers the noise of the present and modern malaise in ‘Askal Projection Vol. 1’. Drawing from a hardcore punk upbringing, the band deliver a barrage of hard rock with demanding, street-smart hooks often found in hip-hop.

    For all their righteous fury, Daspan En Walis saves their biggest switch-up for last: the glorious funk metal number, “143 (Will You Memorize),” celebrating an irrepressible romance with lyrics about lips tasting sweeter than Mango-flavored Zest-O. This infectious sweetness provides a sharp contrast to the rest of the EP, youthful struggles, financial precarity, and the will to rebel against authority. ‘Askal Projection Vol. 1’ is  rugged, raw, and charmingly imperfect. They’ve captured the sound of an askal—fierce enough to face the streets and smart enough to critique the system while rocking a defiant tongue-in-cheek grin. — Adrian Jade Francisco

    5. Barbie Almalbis – Not That Girl

    As one of the most influential alternative women artists of the 2000s, Barbie Almalbis returns to declare a hopeful reflection and celebration of the life she’s carried through the years in her latest studio album. ‘Not That Girl’ embellishes her earlier acoustic indie sensibilities with pop-rock experimentation—heavier guitars that contour the angelic voice we’ve already loved and lyrics that sparkle faith-lit optimism. 

    The opener “Desperate Hours” builds you up for a rough-hewn resilience, the overall theme of the record. Then, the metal-tinged “Platonic” and “ALL U WANNA DO”, which are her love letters to the mosh pits in her gigs, push her into sincerely unfamiliar sounds. Still, she has her signature aria-like grace. 

    Evidently, the record traces her emotional journey, in how she calibrates her strength to let faith heal side by side. And when the closing songs gesture back to her early sonic palette, they arrive nostalgic yet affirming. They remind us that growth doesn’t require erasing who you were. — Jax Figarola

    4. aunt robert – goodbyes forever

    In ‘Goodbyes Forever’, Aunt Robert proves that you can never go wrong with being honest with yourself. Even if the music would make you feel angry, or just straight up feeling these whirlwinds of emotions, alongside Gabe Gomez’s stellar solo project. Ever the sincere, prolific songwriter that she is, her debut album is 30 minutes of reading the sentiments written in your diary that you never expected to hear out loud.

    With a whimsical lilt to her tone, nostalgically muffled vocal production, and playful, fluttering percussion, there’s a clear homage to the era Aunt Robert is trying to reference. There’s just the right amount of fuzz in the strings to paint the hazy sound of yesterday; the record’s strategic mixing and stylistic choices are essential tools in complementing her effective storytelling.

    The inviting, approachable quality of ‘Goodbyes Forever’ plays a large part in creating its appeal–” ’til you want me” and “‘til you need me” are such simple phrases, but they are intensified with the level of vulnerability she utters them with. The coziness of her music is a blanket of sound, comforting and tucking you in. — Noelle Alarcon

    3. D Waviee – Epitome

    D Waviee understands that electronic dance music should be an invitation to the communal experience to which everyone should belong. If that’s the case, then “Epitome” is a dance floor that never puts its rhythms into maximum overdrive, but rather takes a different angle. She takes not just the listener, but the attendees of her composed dance floor to a glossy progression, one where D Waviee’s collection of beats, samples, and collaborations puts everybody in pure effervescence.

    Within its 55-minute runtime, D Waviee becomes a sound setter in control of the atmosphere. Constantly uplifting the mood, it is flushed with a transient tone that easily invites an open space where people can fully identify with their truest selves. This is the pulsating backdrop for the closeted queer and trans folks, where finally, they can finally illuminate what they tend to hide underneath. 

    The beauty of dance music is how it allows people to just groove from front to back, where shame is taken out of the scene and replaced with celebrating the colors that each individual carries along. ‘Epitome’ is simply that. Translucent, transformative, and transcendent. — Louis Pelingen

    2. Man Made Evil – Man Made Evil

    Soul numbers and hard rockers come by left and right within the OPM scene. But on their self-titled debut album, Man Made Evil leaves off the gloss you’ve come to expect in those kinds of songs and lets the imprecise but firm grip of their humanity slip through — unknowingly creating something that feels far grander. Across fifteen tracks that span an eclectic mix of genres, from slow dances and folk poems to power pop anthems and political commentary, this band combines cool and charming lyricism with tight musicianship, the latter of which is emphasized by the album’s closed-in sound.

    The generally sparse production allows for a sense of space that allows you to feel the intimacy of a well-rehearsed live performance, while also letting linger the doom & gloom of the times in which these songs were born to—and what the band’s name could be alluding to all this time. If music were a refuge within our downtrodden lives, we must let our defiance against darkness be known through it, and much like the bands that came up only half a century ago, Man Made Evil is proof that the genuine expression of our humanity will always persist in the face of relentless conformity.

    Mabuhay ang Pinoy rock. —Eve Bagahansol

    1. WAIIAN – BACKSHOTS

    Waiian’s uncompromising honesty has always been the heart he proudly wears on his sleeves. In ‘BACKSHOTS,’ this character (a.k.a. ‘Lods’) is further explored in its most bare, despite what its rather promiscuous album art may suggest.

    ‘BACKSHOTS’ is an act of contrition and a peek into Waiian’s hypothetical diary. In his confessions, he admits to playing by his own rules, being a true friend, making love, spreading hate, and having his fair share of regretful decisions. This album humanizes Waiian as much as it reveres him as ‘Lods’—building him up at the start as a prophetic figure destined to save the rap game, only to then turn him into a prodigal son of his own making, slowly proceeding towards enlightenment as the album progresses.

    ‘BACKSHOTS’ is bold. All caps, no asterisks. From his brandishing of self-importance in the exhilarating “MALAKING BIRD,” to his acceptance of a self-fulfilled life (“MAN IN THE MERROR,” “SOFTIE,” “SI LODS NA BAHALA”), Waiian has shown us in this album that he has come a long way since he embarked on his solo mission, and his spirit never broke.

    Though he admits that he may not give the best piece of advice, we can all learn a thing or two from the album. ‘BACKSHOTS’ does not always have to remind you of your self-flagellations. It can also be a look into the many possibilities that lie ahead in your journey of becoming your own ‘Lods’. —Nikolai Dineros

  • THE BEST FILIPINO SONGS OF 2025

    THE BEST FILIPINO SONGS OF 2025

    As the year 2025 is soon closing its doors, there’s excitement in looking back on the songs that ripple across the scenes.

    For instance , Zaniel’s C2 NA RED! And Nateman & Lucky’s IMMA FLIRT has been in big rotation in the hip-hop scene, showcasing what it means to truly craft captivating earworms in the pop context. It’s a characteristic that also applies to Fitterkarma’s Pag-Ibig ay Kanibalismo II, their biggest breakthrough song that smashed through the mainstream rock scenes. Fitting themselves alongside known acts such as Zack Tabudlo and Janine Berdin, who happen to come from the big leagues, take on unexpected curveball releases. Speaking of breakthroughs, the rising presence of girl groups KAIA and VVINK displays an exciting turn in the realms of P-pop, adding distinct palettes that are worth looking towards in the future.

    Of course, it’s not like the alternative and underground — local and otherwise — continues to flourish in its own way. Metro Manila is very much full of them, circulating noise from hip-hop collectives, pop punk bands, and disco acts. In Davao City, you hear Tuesday Trinkets and adult sunday school put their energy and warmth into the flourishing pop rock and screamo scenes they’re building towards. Internationally, you hear ZayALLCAPS and Underscores continue score welcome acclaim within international music publications. 

    This list encapsulates the songs that we heard from the entirety of 2025. A celebration of what caught our attention, and hopefully, you get a chance to hear these songs as well. — Louis Pelingen

    30. Janine Berdin – antoxic

      Stepping away from the balladeer biritera image that she initially cultivated with the rest of her peers, Janine Berdin decides to take inspiration from the experts near the tail end of the 20th century for “ANTOXIC.” It’s a well-studied replica of 2000s alternative rock that dares to step foot behind the line of nu-metal. With roaring vocals like Evanescence’s Amy Lee, a hazy, hypnotized wall of sound that borders on shoegaze territory, it’s evident that Berdin and her team did their homework. The firm lyrics that demand ownership are so self-assured in her toxicness, you can’t help but wonder if it’s camp or sheer commitment to the bit. Berdin’s rebrand is an enticing introduction to a whole other side of her personality and a step in a new direction. — Noelle Alarcon

      29. Shanni – Sikretong Tayo Lang May Alam

        A hymn for the repression of queer love that must stay secret now feels like a 2000s soft-rock ballad in Shanni’s “Sikretong Tayo Lang May Alam.” Her voice acts as a cushion, almost like a firm embrace for queer couples to make the secrecy feel bearable amidst the society’s constant brouhaha, on gender, sex, and rights to love. And while the guitar strums are gentle, they still try to overwhelm the hurt that queer lovers know all too well. The chorus asks plainly, “Ilan pa ba ang kinakailangang patunayan?” — A line that twists the knife even more for those who’ve learned to overperform and dilute themselves, then go on days longing for the moment to finally and unapologetically take up space and be seen. — Jax Figarola

        28. Parti. – Breach

        A messenger passes through the neurons wired inside the sponge, dictating your life from inside your head. Not a second passes and its time is up, and another takes its place, each one pulling the strings that bring purpose to your flesh and bone, that help you recognize your heart and what keeps it going. It goes on and on and on, and so it goes on and on in the person you keep perfect time with. But the further away you are, the slower the messengers seem, so you move closer and closer, and so do they, making sense of the motions of two minds. Two souls. Two scholars hungry for knowledge of the lights flashing through the skulls.


        A head-on collision. Candles melting into one another. A necessary breach. — Gabriel Bagahansol

        27. VVINK and DJ Love – Baduy 

        There came a time when budots, as a music genre, sparked discussions on its place in the music charts. Two years ago, months after DJ Love took the stage of Manila Community Radio’s Boiler Room set, there was a noticeable shift in seeing budots as something outside of its original context. “Baduy” comes both as a sign and as a result of this growth – a pop record enveloped in budots’ organic stylistic leanings. Genre pioneer DJ Love comes in as a collaborator, prominently featured in the music video. Its trademark “tiwtiw” sound and accompanying dance, both distinct, become enmeshed into the pop record without any sense of its novelty wearing off. 

        VVINK, a five-piece pop group under FlipMusic, shouts, “Ipagkalat na ang tunog na ito/ Na talagang sa atin lang.” “Baduy” becomes a clarion call turned into song. If only the record label didn’t try to play it safe and ask, “What if we add Pio Balbuena into the mix?” At least that’s what I could have guessed.  — Lex Celera

        26. Jopper Ril – Won’t Wait

        With “Won’t Wait,” Jopper Ril resurrects the glittering glam pop-rock energy of 80s OPM, echoing the style of a young Gary Valenciano. It’s dated in all the right ways: glittery synth, romantic jazz grandiosities, and arrangements built for slow, swirling dances under mirrorball light. Jopper Ril’s silky vocals move like vintage velvet, the same velvet seen on red curtains at a theatre. The bridge delivers a sensual crescendo that crystallizes the songwriter’s take on real love. The maturity of realising you weren’t good for someone, paired with the ache of not exploring what could’ve been. In this age of passive yearning, “Won’t Wait” breaks limerence by leaning forward, unafraid to be confrontational. Its grooves slow dance flawlessly, while the lyrics linger like the aftertaste of morning coffee, insisting you sit with the flavor. — Faye Allego

        25. Jiji – Paborito

        Jiji sings enthusiastically about having a “paborito” among a roster of romances, and the song itself glows with that soft, twinkly sweetness that you might hear in a Christmas tune. The track’s instrumentation has this fluffy and cold shimmer that fits well with the song’s theme of young people happily (or maybe not?) participating in non-committal, non-serious, and uncomplicated sextuationships. Sex does feel more romantic when the other person clearly has a crush on you! And for anyone living in that same no-strings setup and/or who loves to thirst trap, this track may just become your own ‘paborito,’ as it loops the exact feeling of mindless fun and horny freedom. — Jax Figarola

        24. geo – i promise 

        In “i promise,” George Santos’ indie track operates as an intense psychological study of relationship dissolution, focusing entirely on a desperate, unstable plea for temporal stasis. Within the confines of reverb-drenched guitars, the bedroom-pop sensibility akin to Her’s is complemented by hooks and repetition of “wait” and the demand for a minimal delay, “give me a day or two,’ which underscores a profound belief in the immediate repairability of deep-seated conflict. The emotional volatility seated in “i promise” is a precise document of denial, where the desperate belief in an easy fix clashes with the inevitable reality of relational collapse. — Adrian Jade Francisco

        23. Revisors – Pagupit

        REVISORS’ “Pagupit” is a snappy, melodic alt-rock confession frames the deliberate snip of the shears as a necessary emotional surgery. Though the track’s surface might be jangly, the guitars are ruthless, carving the air with a precision that drives home the absolute, harsh closure of the relationship.
        The vocals hover masterfully between irony and absolute avowal, uncertain whether to regret the breakup or relish the sheer recklessness of cutting their hair. While the speaker demands to be literally drowned, the perfect riff underscores the emotional chaos, leaving them paralyzed by the ultimate, heavy question of purpose: “Mula rito, paano na ako ngayon?” — Adrian Jade Francisco

        22. Chinese Garden – In Hiding

        In the best way possible, “In Hiding” is a lethargic experience. Its hypnotic guitar melodies adorned in chorus and reverb coat the percussive sound of the acoustic strumming behind it, both serving to reinforce a sense of deep longing expressed by the vocals and lyrics. Echoes of “Did I laugh too loud? Did I stay too quiet? Where are you going?” get lost in this lush soundscape. It gives you the perfect excuse to put on your headphones, look out the nearest window, and wonder about what could’ve been. And while this track may not have all the answers, it’s right there with you to keep you company, for you to lose yourself in its hypnosis. — Francine Sundiang

        21. Andrea Obscura – Garden

        Dream pop can be many things, from some of the most haunting works of music you will ever hear to bright and jangly anthems. Andrea Obscura’s “Garden” embraces a middleground, offering a respectable, indie-influenced track that is every bit as wistful as it is catchy. The production is solid, bringing out a quiet sense of longing in the instruments that would be right at home in small, intimate venues or in a Tiny Desk concert. Andrea Ramos’ vocals are soft and mumbly in the best way possible, easy to sing along to and connect with. In the end, “Garden” feels like a warm hug, like a letter from a dear friend about how they’re feeling now. — Francine Sundiang

        20. BABY FREEZE – MOST HIGH

        In the male-dominated rap scene, BABY FREEZE unapologetically enters any room to deliver swag and spunk in the form of bars, all while wearing lip gloss and blue eyeshadow. In “MOST HIGH,” every line leaves a sting to anyone who can’t keep her name out of their mouth. With Never Paco’s mixing bringing her feisty attitude to sound, BABY FREEZE raps in all-caps with grinning teeth. The twinkly textures and aggressive 808 rolls in the production supply the track with the right amount of flair to stick its landing. Paradoxically, BABY FREEZE never fails to spit fire high up from where she stands, and she’s never coming down. — Aly Maaño

        19. Bankyu ft. Wayvier – SWISH 

        2025 saw the come-up of Baller Room, a collective of DJs taking their turntables out of the dark corners of the city and onto the basketball court, staging a kind of daytime block party that’s still able to form a genuinely uplifting community through music, sportsmanship, and camaraderie. It’s the perfect setting for a laidback track about kicking it with your bros and catching highs on some rings — in more ways than one. Bankyu and Wavyier float on a Kyleaux-helmed beat on “SWISH” as they rap about their pursuit of good vibes and a day of ballin’. These two are so attuned to the sounds around them, you don’t even have to understand a word they’re saying to know that they’re about to have a good time. Three points at the buzzer without even trying. — Gabriel Bagahansol

        18. Fresh-Ill club – INYAFACE

        Mixing booming 808s you’d hear in traditional hiphop with sound effects you’d never expect, “INYAFACE” is a song that works out in the best, most unexpected way possible. This track by Fresh-iLL Club’s is smug, laden with bar after bar; a warning to not mess with the collective. Its members sound effortlessly aloof, jaded–it’s as if they’re challenging the opps, “is that really all you’ve got?” “INYAFACE” is a love letter to everyone who came before them the song’s each and every element a clear homage rooted in hours of immersing oneself in alternative rap. Albeit the varying flows and the playful production, the song remains cohesive all throughout; creating harmony out of cacophony is a rare skill only a few can master. — Noelle Alarcon

        17. Karbine – Fist Degree

        Hardcore band Karbine came up in a city shaped by its own complicated history. Olongapo carries traces of its past everywhere, including a sense of authority that never fully left. Hardcore has never cared for authority, which makes “Fist Degree” hit harder than most tracks that fall under the beatdown umbrella; The riffs grind, the drums hit without apology, and the vocals strip the track of any lingering politeness. Nothing in “Fist Degree” wants you to relax. The song promotes the idea that pressure should be confronted instead of absorbed, which turns every breakdown into a threat that feels earned. Karbine’s approach is loud, metallic, and sometimes messy, but none of it loses direction. “First Degree” works because the band commits to that impulse from start to finish. It makes you brace for impact while reminding you why the genre still matters to its youngest voices. — Elijah P.

        16. One Click Straight – Telepono

        “Telepono” is the kind of song that coils itself around your routine until you end up humming it without permission. The drums hit like heart-pulse percussion while the exact tempo of kilig sprints up your spine. Lines like “Tulog pa ang mundo / Sumisilip na ang araw sa dilim” land flush against the melody, hitting every beat as if the lyrics were born already synced to the rhythm. Even at its fuzziest, the track remains sharply intentional. The subtle alchemy of the Marquez Brothers always seems to manage to make a song come alive in a way no OPM revival trend could counterfeit. What seals its brilliance is their knack for blending dreamy hooks and gritty sincerity, which gives the track its addictive groove. — Faye Allego

        15. zayALLCAPS – MTV’S Pimp My Ride 

        As much as the title tries to imply, “MTV’s Pimp My Ride” is not about the show itself, but pays attention to the cars that eventually become a metaphor of love. zayALLCAPS’s inviting voice rides over a technicolor cloud R&B beat, swooning with a lot of graceful melodies but also a lot of thoughtful consideration. Singing over a girl and trying so hard to win her over, giving everything of himself and seeing past her guard as a means to spend enough time with her. It’s a fluorescent ballad that uses colorful production to emphasize its yearning sweetness. One that keeps pulling you past that blinding sheen, and into a man’s tender heartbeat. — Louis Pelingen

        14. Tatz Maven – Handang Malunod Sa’yo

        Nearly two years since we were given a glance at his R&B chops with “Iyak,” Tatz Maven’s “Handang Malunod Sa’yo” showcases the Gen San rapper more in his zone. With songwriting as sharp as his more lyrically focused features and material, though definitely more whetted than his previous R&B attempt, Tatz Maven proves that “Handang Malunod Sa’yo” is not just a spiritual successor, but a sign of his evolution as a songwriter. — Nikolai Dineros

        13. 2icey – musty

          Rapper 2icey has always played things with a smirk. His music rides the line between sincerity and street-side clowning, and “MUSTY” leans into that instinct with more swagger and bravado. The track moves on Jersey Club jolts that know when to flirt and when to tease, but the core of the song rests in how he treats romance like a joke you still take seriously. The hook rolls in with a cold snap, bouncing on one sense of humor to the other. “MUSTY” uses that tension to stay light on its feet and sound surprisingly catchy. 2icey has made a track made for late nights, half steps, and moments when you want to feel reckless without losing your balance. — Elijah P.

          12. Zack Tabudlo – Diving

          Despite the swimming conventions in the song’s themes, “Diving” sees Zack Tabuldlo in flight and unshackled, with his wings spread apart the farthest they have ever been. The song is powerful, with a melody that builds up tension for an emotional breakdown in the chorus, but it never crosses overbearing territory. Highly anticipated following his signing with the US-based Mercury Records, “Diving” sees Tabudlo at a critical and exciting point in his creative journey. With better leverage on his back, more tools in his arsenal, and a calling to the R&B sound, the possibilities are endless. — Nikolai Dineros

          11. NICKOTINE – BLOW BLOW

          Nickotine operates at a pace that feels accidental only on the surface. At 16 years old, the young producer has already bounced across more platforms than most artists twice their age. “BLOW BLOW” works because it captures that restless instinct and turns it into something sharper. The track pushes dance music through a filter of impulsive decisions that somehow land in the right place. There is no overthinking involved, but there is intention behind every bounce. The synths spark, the percussion rolls without pause, and the vocal samples cut through like little flashes of mischief. Nickotine knows that a club track this abrasive will find its people eventually, even if it is through a chaotic algorithm. — Elijah P.

          10. Nateman, Lucky – IMMA FLIRT

          “IMMA FLIRT,” like RB Slatt’s “Pahna” and Lil JVibe’s “Hips o Thighs” before it, continues the streak of turning the art of interpolation to its perfect form. In wonderfully interpolating “I’m a Flirt” by R. Kelly, Nateman and Lucky’s embody a lot of winks and nudges into their flows, where flirtatious attempts are never treated as a flex, but more so a genuine want to connect. This sincere endearingness is accompanied by hooks and production that are effortlessly slinky and effortless. Extremely addicting to a point where every slip of “IMMA FLIRT” becomes a two-word phrase that you can’t help but stammer. Up to a point where overplay won’t diminish the song, it only makes every word get stamped permanently in your head. — Louis Pelingen

          9. Novocrane – FOMF

          It has only been a year since debuting from their hometown of Bacolod, and indie rock outfit Novocrane has already taken major strides in many corners of the bigger underground scene. “FOMF” follows through with their signature vibe that can be aptly described as “turn-of-the-millennium grunge,” veiled in lo-fi arrangements that pierce through all emotions with its whimsy. It is the kind of song you play as you strut along the sidewalks on a good day, and a second wind to help you with that “one last push” as you get you through a bad one.

          Integrating more electronic elements into their music, one may also see “FOMF” as Novocrane diving headfirst into twee pop territory. In fact, this pivot to twee pop with “FOMF” has already yielded its first result in the form of “Moshpit,” another single the band released late into the year, suggesting that, over time, “FOMF” could be seen as a major precursor (or turning point) to the band’s ever-expanding catalog. But at present, “FOMF” already stands as one of the band’s most consistent material.
          It is the kind of song you play as you strut along the sidewalks on a good day, and a second wind to help you with that “one last push” as you get you through a bad one. — Nikolai Dineros

          8. Your #1 Fan – Radio Transmission

          Your #1 Fan (Nica Feliciano) makes her debut with “Radio Transmission,” a soaring space rock ballad fueled by emotional volatility. With every “Radio transmission” and “Satellite to station,” the narrator hurls their deepest insecurities across the void, desperate to know: after traversing that unimaginable distance, “am I still your favorite girl?” 

          “Radio Transmission” is the cry of absolute vulnerability transmitted across the vast, terrifying silence of separation, peppered with the specific beeps and pulses of man-made communication. 

          The track encapsulates the unique wonder of a fan-turned-artist, viewing the world through a lens of profound curiosity and cosmic scale. The lyrics quickly blur the lines between the physical distance separating two lovers and our collective smallness within the entire universe. Reduced to a minuscule tethered by Earth’s gravity, the narrator is fixated on the void, restlessly anticipating a crucial signal. The production swells with a grandeur meant to relive the awe of space travel. Tension builds to the moment the signal finally cuts through. In that triumphant moment, the universe contracts, and the smallness vanishes entirely. “Radio Transmission” makes the whole dizzying orbit worth the fear.  — Adrian Jade Francisco

          7. Gaspari – KODAK BLU

          “KODAK BLU” is the defining moment of a producer slowly turning into a rapper in his own right. Gaspari, who has produced for the Greenhouse Records roster, has slowly been turning up features ever since, where his ragged voice becomes an echo that gradually becomes louder. 2025 becomes a prominent year for Gaspari as he begins pushing out singles as a solo artist, proving that he has more to prove for himself.
          With sir ace laying the foundation of that driving beat – one stacked with fizzy trap percussion, eerie pianos, and dour chimes – Gaspari hulks over on “KODAK BLU,” letting his presence clear as he steers over his enemies. His flow is craggy and understated, but effectively lingers as he spits on posers who are only in the zone for the clout, yet not for growth or money. Never ending up sluggish, so that his bullets end up missing, yet not so flashy as to let his message get overshadowed. While his enemies are playing a profoundly foolish game, Gaspari sleuths in between the cracks, eventually turning everyone’s heads and showing what it really means to push for a successful outcome. — Louis Pelingen

          6. adultsundayschool – i hope in my absence you’ll think of me

            When a genre built on chaos collides with dense, ethereal soundscapes, the resulting sound is as turbulent as a schizophrenic episode. Coined as “skramgaze,” this unconventional fusion creates an emotional hellfire of turmoil and self-destruction. In “i hope in my absence you’ll think of me,” Davao-based adult sunday school takes us to a claustrophobic atmosphere where desperate, ear-piercing screams are the only medium to reach a distant lover. Drenched with violence and distortion, dueling guitar riffs bridge the rage of metalcore and the uneasiness of shoegaze without the melodic overdrive. The punch of gritty breakdowns and harrowing lyrics writhe in dissonant screeches bellowed directly from a chasm of pain. 
            Within 4 minutes and 26 seconds, adult sunday school encapsulated the misery of longing for someone and purged these heavy feelings to the brim of their sound. When anguish has no outlet, they know well enough to let the noise take over. — Aly Maaño

            5. KAIA – Tanga

            After years of following the K-pop playbook of bombastic, hard-hitting singles, the girl group KAIA changed course in 2024 with the track “Walang Biruan,” where they embrace bouncy bubblegum bops with colorful melodies and personas. And after a breakthrough year for P-Pop — one in which this kind of vibrant pop music started taking over the musical landscape, KAIA doubled down on this change with “TANGA.”

            Don’t let that throw you off, though: the girls are just being playful with it, and it just slides away without you even noticing. On this track, Charice, Angela, Alexa, Sophia, and Charlotte glide gracefully over a bright R&B beat that allows them to effortlessly sing about a love that’s leaving them confused and ignoring their mother’s advice. It’s a smooth little track about being madly in love, and the subtle but biting realness of it all helps the group stand out from the growing number of P-Pop acts today.
            And they’ve done this with the help, no less, of one Zack Tabudlo, who, after years of being a prolific and reliable force in OPM, has lent his ear for hooks and beats to help KAIA deliver one of 2025’s most irresistible labsongs. Soundtracking your tricky situationship has never felt this groovy. — Gabriel Bagahansol

            4. zaniel – C2 NA RED

            In less than two minutes, zaniel transforms the possibilities of what Filipino plugg music can sound like. It’s songs like this that remind you how art can be made from literally anything.

            With stylistically utilized autotune and a common dilemma among the average Filipino consumer, ‘C2 NA RED!’ immediately became a social media hit that spoke to the hearts of people all over the internet. It’s a track perfectly curated for the TikTok age, its structure straightforward and direct to the point. C2 green tastes horrible, C2 yellow is just okay–zaniel really just wants his C2 NA RED; “sa akin ibigay!” he sings. It repeats once more, sped up and prefaced with expletives to let you hear how much he truly wants it.
            The track’s dedication to studying the pluggnb playbook executes the tongue-in-cheek element perfectly. A lot goes into crafting the sound of silly dissent, layers upon layers of sound making such a simple idea incredibly catchy and memorable. Emphasis is placed when needed, may it be his floaty adlibs in the background (which can be delightfully crass, at times) or his devastated, warbled wails of “red!” that wane in the background while he describes how much he wants his C2 na red. This is a clever track in jest that also tests the waters of using music as a medium in executing a gimmick. — Noelle Alarcon

            3. Tuesday Trinkets – Cigarettes, Beer & Stray Cats

            Somewhere in the pedal-driven timbre of Cigarettes, Beer, and Stray Cats lies the optimistic uncertainty of being in love for the first time in a while. With half catchy pop melodies and half fuzzy, guitar-driven haze, the track captures the feeling of new love lying in the lingering fear that it will end up like the ones before it. But with cute dates, a few vices to share guilt-free, and, well, cigarettes, beer, and stray cats, maybe that fear can wait for now. It’s this delicate balance that makes this track such a compelling listen. 

            The performances and songwriting on display here are also worth highlighting. The rhythm guitar sounds fun and jangly, the vocals sound both cheery and wistful, the lead guitar serves the song until it rightfully earns a guitar solo, and all of this rests on a rhythm section that keeps the mood running constantly. tuesday trinkets already shows how solid their band dynamic is this early in their career.
            Impressively cohesive and unique for a band’s first release, tuesday trinkets’ first single is a promise of something more, a leap of faith into something new and a little scary, but that’s what makes it exciting, isn’t it? — Francine Sundiang

            2. Underscores – Music

            Underscores – also known as April Harper Grey – has done more than just flicker in the stream of (hyper)pop (hyper)consciousness. The success of Danny Brown’s ascent into hyperpop fixations is in part thanks to his deliberate choice to empower nascent artists who are willing to twist the knife, so to speak.“Copycats,” a collaboration with Grey, is a standout from the album.

            With “Music,” Grey makes a declaration of love to the stylistic leanings of her own making, one that is decidedly planted in its anachronisms – of genre, of aesthetics. Yet, as “Music” points out, its displacement of genre is not done out of irony or being tongue-in-cheek, but purely just for the love of it. 

            The pleasure to believe in music enough to write a song about its own materiality, its own capacity to conjure emotions that soar, is a beautiful thing to behold. To equate that energy with that of an impassioned “you” is near-seismic. Is that what pop music can do? I would say yes! 
            “Music” is a healthy dosage of sonic nitrous that swells and ebbs, making for such an infectious record. It screams optimism towards pop’s future, one that it’s willing to make, and for that to come across without any inherent risk is exciting to say the least. — Lex Celera

            1. Fitterkarma – Pag-ibig ay Kanibalismo II

            If love is hunger, cannibalism is hunger stripped of a metaphor. For a band that’s never heard of Ethel Cain, Fitterkarma somehow arrives at the same crossroads of devotion and devouring, proving that carnal desire isn’t an imported aesthetic. 

            Their defining cut, Pag-ibig At Kanibalismo II, is a walking oxymoron in audio form. It gleams with the shimmering cuteness, emotional swell, and melodic melodrama of J-Pop romance and the earned angst of J-Rock, yet its lyrics culminate the true nature of quintessential OPM pop rock elements: stadium-sized hooks, earnest guitar lines, and romantic urgency that could make you recite a video essay on the film Bones And All. But unlike acts that merely replicate influence, Fitterkarma metabolizes their lyrics into something unmistakably Filipino where emotions don’t just linger, they feast. 
            Sure, love is patient, love is kind, but love is also beautifully inglorious, down to the cartilage and bone. The lyrics’ infamous vow, “Kanibalismo, ‘di ka matiis/ Kapag inalis mo, ika’y mami-miss/ ‘Di nagmamalinis/ Oh, ika’y mami-miss/ ‘Di ka matitiis /Tatlo na sais/ Pag-ibig mong kay tamis” is the emotional hypothesis for desire. It is the acknowledgement that love is sweet until it is salt, warm until it is sweat, gentle until it is teeth. That’s where Fitterkarma turns cannibalism into the most honest metaphor. — Faye Allego

          1. The Flying Lugaw presents: THE 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

            The Flying Lugaw presents: THE 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

            2024 was the year where Filipino musicians and artists valued the full-length release. There are bands that shot for the moon right away by releasing an album with 12 songs while others released a mixtape like it was 2013 all over again. Streaming platforms like Bandcamp and Soundcloud are important in searching for those who wish to push the envelope in releasing new music. There are no limitations when it comes to releasing an album; you can create a “season” of your own while another up-and-coming local act is cooking something up behind the scenes. Music deserves to be heard in the form of an album (or at the very least releases that have more than 3-4 songs)

            The Flying Lugaw crew would like to make a wish that in the year 2025, or any year for that matter, more albums, EPs, Mixtapes or any other release with a collection of songs would be pushed more for artists, by artists.

            30. Pat’s Soundhouse – Khaen Solo Vol. 1 (anika)

            Heavy on instrumentation, this one’s for long car rides. Maybe when you’re stuck in traffic or driving through the freeway. Poignant, with a touch of elegance, the sound of the khaen is brimming with liveliness as if embodying the spirit of a human within its chords. Encapsulating the aura of what it feels like to stargaze, Khaen Solo is rich with vastness in tone. 

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/2webH6kaLadcVoHd6uBEET?si=HJaFOd1-S_SNL6x2qq-D1w

            29. To love everything ever again – Nineveh (aly)

            Emotional, vulnerable, brooding yet hopeful. In his first EP, “To Love Everything Ever Again,” Janpol Estrella, who goes by the moniker Nineveh, bares his soul by intricately weaving gut-wrenching lyricism with glitchy synthesizers, noisy distortions, playful drum beats, and chamber pop elements to uniquely capture an emotion and to tell a story. Referencing biblical characters and verses throughout the EP, Nineveh questions his relationship with his faith as he boldly shares his internal struggles, even if his voice shakes.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/1ZLfneo1HaEkbv4g7a57Gn?si=cdb26387ac754144

            28. Soldados kan Tios – Walang Titulo (nikolai)

            More than a post-metal sludge release, ‘Walang Titulo’ is a protest. With heavy contributions from renowned artist and activist Alex Pinpin, this newly formed hardcore band decries in the album the plight of farmers whose lands are taken by the elite class.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/046CsHH1cBlsg411TmmRgF?si=668f301ae3bc4dbe

            27. Tydings-Mcduffie – s/t (louis)

            Ever imagine a period piece coming back as a message to the present times? Tydings-Mcduffie takes you on the highs and lows of the Philippine Commonwealth Era. Amidst the brief ride, the tides of their self-titled record zoom into its protagonists and all they have to dream, experience, and sacrifice – paired with smooth jazz compositions that give you a tune to remember. Tydings-Mcduffie provides a penchant for what the past believed in: an optimism that persists beyond melancholia.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/35vNlk6c2W6c3SXPS8ka1W?si=11d57ae092e04085

            26. Haley Heynderickx – Seed of a Seed (anika)

            Folkish and devoted to the nature of Oregon, Seed of a Seed projects the gentleness of trees, flowers, and insects when brought into a tender symphony. Like ripples on a river, doused with rainwater, Seed of a Seed introduces an organic approach to composition. Bringing in Heynderickx’s ability to produce poetic lyricism, she enkindles the profuse vibrance that one can find in mundanity. Surrounded by lush imagery, the musicality speaks for itself when it wants to convey that sense of fullness. 

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/5WjjIOn40MG9kLfaeHBS5a?si=03125d230e504161

            25. PRY – Resignation Letter (jax) 

            Pry is aggressive and unapologetic in their female rage, in their sophomore album RESIGNATION LETTER, which slices through indie rock, alternative, punk, and noise rock with emotional edge. The constant surveillance and judgment for their non-conformity to established concepts of femininity and identity are anathema to the band. Unlike their debut “The Party’s Over,” which leaned heavily on riot grrrl and cathartic screaming, their new sound now explores more lilting rhythms, slower tempos, and stickier textures. This evolution is a goodbye letter to their anguish like a lump on their throats, but still, fitting in their principle of being punk. 

            LINK: https://prymusicph.bandcamp.com/album/resignation-letter

            24. Switchbitch – Silang (jk)

            switchbitch’s bombastic debut release sets the stage aflame as they solidify themselves as Filipino Conscious Rap heroines. Women rapping about peasant and working-class advocacies sounds exactly as badass as it looks on paper, Silang is just another way of getting their points across. Heavily equipped with sardonically blunt quips and fast code-switching, the lyricism is wildly compelling at riling people up and igniting the simmering anger we already feel. It evokes inspiration and anger—one out of frustration and one out of hope, all in the sense of creating a better nation.

            From the current state of affairs in the Philippines, it seems that this isn’t the last we’ll hear from them. They said it best in their outro, “Ako at sila ang magtutuloy ng pagpunla sa pag-asa hanggang sa makamtan natin ang tagumpay.”; as long as there is injustice, there will always be a switchbitch spitting bars on the oppressor’s face.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/3TfSuIKsQfT6R1LFJ1f6FS?si=155c9dca615a4302

            23. Brickcity – We the Forgettables (nikolai)

            Kinetic energy and deep angst envelope the room in Brickcity’s ‘We the Forgettables’. For 25 minutes, you are treated to pure skramz goodness with not a moment to rest besides ‘Pretend’. A must-listen if you’re into bands like TNG.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/6wBzB53uUrFW32BtxSpwnp?si=f263574b8ce94259

            22. vice* – syzygy (louis)

            ‘syzygy’ is a notebook scribbled with every idea that vice* can execute with the hand of a careful adept. An EP that crosshatches glitch pop illustrations with emo-pop doodles notably aware of his influences, yet using that knowledge to establish his style within. What results is a melting pot of bassooning beats; fractious guitars; and bending vocal stirs that tie up into prismatic melodies. All chaotic pieces, linked into one mesmerizing frame.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/3wthcVGeUFteuz3gNZnPDC?si=0b713105c79f4788

            21. sci fye – who knows? (jk)

            Something needs to be said about the beauty in mundanity. As an open hate/love letter to the buzzing existentialist cityscapes of Manila, who knows? captures its worldly essence to a tee—but not without unwittingly writing an ode to its intricacies. From the sweltering afternoon heatwaves to the late nightlife expeditions, it’s a cycle sci fye may swear they want to get rid of, but is ultimately one that is synonymous with the band. 

            So, with all its gritty stories and failed dreams and dizzying scents and sleazy mood, I don’t think we really hate sci fye, I mean, Manila.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/2BdtdX066N136LdhjNUnJQ?si=48024eac10a148b7

            20. Palepaths – I Can Tell You About Grief (faye)

            When in grief, condolences sound nothing but white, blank noise waiting for its echo to travel into the abyss; but grief? grief sounds illuminating, and Palepaths can tell you all about it. In their long-awaited debut EP finally released this year, “ I Can Tell You About Grief” seeks to melt your tears into firey passion all for the sake of love and the loss of it. Nearly seventeen minutes of melodic, hardcore heavy noise, lead vocalist Maki Dela Cruz’s plasmic voice along with the low-pitched riffs and thrash metal tones extolled the pain of grief and the violent yet sound nature of it.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/7ordGDnlJPZaJZIfLtbUPs?si=961195d2251f4b00

            19. The Skeleton Years – Real Curses (nikolai)

            Dark, brooding, and strangely comforting, ‘Real Curses’ is like a soft pillow that puts you to a deep sleep before plunging you into a harrowing nightmare. Excellent songwriting compounded by tight-knit performances across the board and good mixing work to boot. The Skeleton Years gave us not only a superior post-punk record, but also one of the.better rock releases of the year.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/6KXDRbbgvWHwc27NLLdPcM?si=7a543ac6d0244fcf

            18. Fervids – SONIC BOOM (faye)

            “SONIC BOOM” by Fervids exudes an energy so vibrant that it’s supposed to shake you awake from your dreams. Albeit the primary genre of this album is blues rock, there is no doubt that this sophomore album ruptures utter eclecticism in every facet of Rock N Roll, you hear it in certain tracks’ use of distortion in the guitars, the avant-garde metal influence in the explosive vocals, and of course all the head-banging that comes with listening to this body of art. Fervids cohesively blends opening riffs and gritty guitars that feel fresh and nostalgic all at once. Expect to hear it at a garage, a rooftop, your little sister’s playlist as you introduce your significant other to the family, or at one of their eargasmic gigs found in the Bicol music scene. 

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/3DgjJmbzCqUdaMYSmgfQvG?si=1d887d838aeb4013

            17. Salem & The Stellar Cats – Salem! (aly)

            Salem! & The Stellar Cats takes us between food stall conversations and ramblings on a national highway in their four-track EP “Salem!”. The garage punk riffs and fuzzy pop-rock elements apparent in their songs are reminiscent of 2010s local indie rock darlings such as The Gory Orgies and The Buildings. But this four-piece, cat-loving ensemble is more than just the sum of their influences. In “Salem!,” the band’s personality radiates in all corners as they stir chaos without rage, just their chummy, intuitive tunes and tongue-in-cheek lyrics laced with stellar witchcraft.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/4WYduhEKvtnrBtuULAfcYZ?si=32856811ef4248f0

            16. Cinema Lumiere – Wishing it was sunday (anika)

            Once you enter the workforce, weekends visibly become more of a blessing than they ever were. Like a gust of fresh air, Wishing It Was Sunday is the feeling of getting off work on a Friday night, and finally being able to breathe again. Charming in its dualities, Cinema Lumiere is a trip to the coffee shop a few blocks down the road, to get your usual fix. It hopes the weekend could last even longer, potentially forever if only that was possible. 

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/0wmDkXGeMLACwOeJw2YvtO?si=a942178892ca469f

            15. Joey Valence & Brae – NO HANDS (elijah)

            The JVB enterprise is entering into a state of prosperity. They produce banger after banger with a little bit of cinematic magic in mp3s. “NO HANDS” is part stand-up comedy and part buddy-cop energy action in the most slapstick way possible. Rapping in between Spongebob references and Omnitrix bling-blings, Joey Valence & Brae have created an West Coast recipe that’s uniquely themselves. 

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/1Fjelo0jZ4i1iQZBsK0pOA?si=81edefba5d244f39

            14. Austri – The place where birds meet (jax) 

            Oh, how punishing it is to have the language to articulate both transformative love and the heavy weight of lingering guilt. Folk acoustics, solemn vocals, and ambient patchworks ground Austri’s deeply personal storytelling in his indie folk/dream pop debut EP, more or less sounding like Sufjan Stevens and Ichiko Aoba which he draws inspirations from. Through his music, he explores the vulnerability it takes to acknowledge imperfections as part of being human, who may love like a garden or may cradle like the moon with the waves. Like migrating birds that move and find places to meet – the album title – humans, too, move and seek new places for genuine moments of connection, which Austri wants to find beauty and meaning in.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/1cGSWEzPBE7fevTjIJUn3Y?si=dafc053b52034134

            13. Shanne Dandan – Kung Iyong Mamarapatin (nikolai) 

            The style of Manila sound that dominated Philippine airwaves in the mid-1970s is a key component of Shanne Dandan’s artistry. The singer-songwriter does not shy away from it and proudly wears her influences on her sleeves, as made evident by her past releases like ‘Hanggang Sa Langit’ and ‘Sandali’, and she even famously paid tribute to one of the proponents of the Manila sound with her rendition of Cinderella’s ‘T.L. Ako Sa’yo’.

            With so much respect shown by the artist to the Manila sound—from the reserved use of synths to the quiet acoustics, and liberal use of vocal reverb—one would easily mistake Shanne’s rendition of ‘Boy, I Love You’ for a forgotten recording of the famed Cherie Gil song from that era. ‘Di Na Babalik Sayo’ and ‘Iyakin;’ are two other highlighs from the album that display Shanne’s exceptional control of her vocal chops.

            However, ‘Kung Iyong Mamarapatin’ is far from a promise of a Manila sound revival delivered in LP form, though it’s worth noting that not a lot of artists today adopt this style of Filipino folk pop and excellently represent it the way Shanne does, which help make her stand out.

            At it’s core, ‘Kung Iyong Mamarapatin’ is a concept album; an exploration of grief ingeniusly tied together by tarot overlays that allude to the individual themes (or, more aptly, fates) of each track. The songs are meticulously arranged to tell the narrator’s journey through the different stages of grief, emotively narrated by Shanne.

            As cynical as it may be, not all that experience grief possess the wherewithal to overcome all its stages. Sometimes, they’re perpetually stuck with the thought, “Kailan ba ako magiging masaya?”

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/6ryTFrBmNtWNC1nIUKp8l5?si=c1144f9e286c4562

            12. Precal Dropouts – Eagles Shall Prosper (elijah)

            The Philippine Bald Eagle has recently reached a triumphant announcement: a chick egg hatched in a government bird breeding sanctuary. Maybe it’s a coincidence or probably it’s a signal of a time changing, and Davao’s dream pop hybrid outfit Precal Dropouts achieved a feat so jubilant you might as well blast “Eagles Shall Prosper” outside of Suazo’s established building complex. Locked and loaded in a 9-track adventure, Precal has officially graduated in seasoned scenester status with blaring guitar textures and cathartic releases of gang chants in their debut album. 

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/2xvgAhF8XUCGH9oYMFevqz?si=a9f9262db0e54e48

            11. Amateurish – A Gentle Reminder to Rest (aly)

            A Gentle Reminder to Rest is foolproof evidence that Amateurish is no amateur in the local music scene. In this much-anticipated debut album, this five-piece indie rock band hailing from the country’s summer capital didn’t hold back in channeling their raw energy through introspective lyricism, somber melodies, and elaborate guitar solos. The first track “Blue” sets the listener up for an emotionally-charged rollercoaster ride, circling into the catchy hooks of “Orange” and the upbeat fast-tempo grooves of “New Age You” until it cascades into the acoustic intro of the last song bearing the album title, a fitting end to the entire listening experience.

            The distinct fusion of math rock, emo, and pop punk evident in this 11-track, no-skip album sets Amateurish apart from mainstream bands, earning them a rightful stage beyond the borders of their hometown.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/2jGttqtQU9oqpjgUcuCZuD?si=96262839a9a84c3f

            10. Rosh – cotton mouth (faye)

            In her debut EP, Rosh spends thirteen lucky minutes creating an Alt-Pop masterpiece by tapping into a lyrical and contemporary ode to the bittersweet pursuits of love found in OPM ballads. Her lustrous vocals paired with the grainy sound her vintage noughties acoustic guitar brings are emblematic of a sensory waterfall. “Cottonmouth” contains four songs that gradually build upon one another; the EP begins as though she started singing to herself in her room, and then later gravitates toward opening a space for connection and ends the piece like she’s standing in front of a crowded gig where her musical muses stand beside her. 

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/30HsW1TmMtRx1KKy9n0ytl?si=5e8380f4d76b4e92

            9. Sica – Go See God (jax)

            Sica stays humble and grounded in his profoundly human sophomore album, articulating how he’s so beholden to the almighty after dipping his toes in fame. Throughout the record, melancholic jazzy and trappy beats, alternating between soulful and boom-bap, meet his contemporary R&B style, elevating Sica’s songwriting to heavenly junctures. Furthermore, “On See God” particularly stands out in the sea of dirty rap. His pen game is too cold, with how his inspirational chronicles are deeply rooted in the strong community that shaped him. He recognizes that maintaining having highs and lows in life preserves his values and desires, and ultimately, he realizes how to keep moving forward while still having the “give-no-fucks” attitude.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/1GjFQ4dFnFkRwWHxxRGiC1?si=4c529031be3a48aa

            8. Cherryfocus – Teenmachines (jk)

            Teenmachines is a release unapologetically made for Gen Z Filipino kids. If the themes of Internet Addiction and Internet Love are not enough to convince you, then the harmonious cacophonic genre switching within its 10-track run surely will.

            It is an album born out of the kids’ TikTok attention span, the rapidly increasing apathy, and the overwhelming suffocation to how bad things have gotten. Nowadays, everything is digital; digital money, digital personas, digital deaths, digital love—it makes one think if anything even matters because hey, are we even real? Are these people on the Internet real? It’s a dilemma that none other than a kid of the Internet Age understands, a culture that embraced the disconnection despite how close we all claim to be.

            In a few years, ‘Teenmachine’ is bound to be the type of release that represents the zeitgeist of an entire generation.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/4AzHWC3nsQZegotutiC5Lo?si=f05a9b71dd794066

            7. Parannoul & Fax Gang – Scattersun (aly)

            Fax Gang’s twinkly electronic distortions coalesce with Parranoul’s fuzzy synth presets to produce a genre-bending project that is “Scattersun”. Like colliding stars, “Scattersun” creates a violent explosion of textures with its glitchy, bit-crushed, shoegaze-riddled production which often sounds like a conjunction between My Bloody Valentine, Drain Gang, and 100 Gecs. Fax Gang’s vocalist, PK Shellboy, explores existential themes in their lyrics, adding to the rawness of Parannoul’s warbling vocals and screams, with Mudd the student and agatka joining in the emotional turbulence. This collaborative album exudes chaotic energy, one that continuously unfolds one track after the other. But amidst the avalanche of effects, abrasive drum patterns, and atmospheric percussions, “Scattersun’s” uneasiness feels like a controlled chaos leading to a technicolor propulsion of sound transmitted straight from the cosmos.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/2Jnz20A5HeJUk7u2ys6nQm?si=86db1fcfc88b4a3a

            6. Cream Flower – To Remember is to Live (elijah)

            Sorsogon’s ecstatic indie pop duo Cream Flower plays “To Remember is to Live” like a distant memory, and you can sense its approaching you in a haunting fashion. Whether you find yourself lost in the haze of a bus ride back to the capital or by the sea catching fish, there’s a wave of fuzz waiting to hit you in rhythm. Static crumbles beneath you while an angelic voice lifts you from rapture. Memories gently lose their prominence, leaving the listener into a void of beauty and longing. Cream Flower rages into the light with simple approaches of dream pop and shoegaze, leaving the scene celebrating even further into the future. 

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/1fqdLDP1FFgiNld0onftag?si=89ced8fc05ab4838

            5. U-Pistol – Last Splinter (anika)

            Leg warmers and much of the ‘anik-anik’, this album is twee in a kind of Sailor Moon-esque manner if it was mixed with grit and perhaps a cross-cultural dance floor. That’s a strange way to put it, but poses as most accurate. Twinkly, but spunk with innovation, U-Pistol relays emotions of coolness and chill demeanor. Electronic and inspired by the visuals of Japanese anime, we recall lo-fi track beats if sped up to higher octaves. As a concept album, Last Splinter evokes colorful harmonies, stretched on a field of blossoms. That, and the facet of what one would categorize as celestial-like and grotesque, perhaps even metaphysical. 

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/7xWjsv8e9GjlYSzZPXBNOb?si=2ff41ab7fc53466b

            4. DJ Love – Budots World Reloaded (louis)

            After DJ Love received his deserving flowers last year, this year, he signals his sound worldwide. The reverberating groove of budots can be heard everywhere else: from sound bites on Tiktok, melodic bounces in a Soundcloud mix, to live performances worldwide from DJ Love himself. There’s no denying just how much his unique electronic beat-making has impacted the dance floor.

            Through that wave of well-deserved success comes his cherry on top: ‘Budots World (Reloaded)’, the debut album that pushes what made Budots an earworm sound from the start. Swirly beats tousled around with magnetic vocal dubs, bouncy grooves, and even touches of techno melodies – amplifying DJ Love’s letter to spread forth the lovely markings of Budots in its remarkably distinct form. No matter what everyone feels about it, one thing is for sure: Budots will be here to stay for a long time.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/1AjWbEq838WOOmiQm9lsDa?si=d1fab07d18ae476f

            3. ORIANG – Oriang (louis)

            “Oriang” isn’t just an album, it is a statement firmly rooted in its activism. Tao, Calix, and Co carry the names of figures whose revolutionary spirit flows within their movement, as their words and actions elevate the oppressed and oppress those who elevate the corrupt. Tao’s emboldened vocals and Calix’s flexible production merge smoothly as they always have before, a consistency that further sharpens the power of its songwriting. 

            Strapped with foggy atmospherics and strident cadences, it leaps to enhance the folk details that are embedded in the music. It embraces the struggles of the oppressed, reinforcing the hope and strength to continue fighting for a better place.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/04E6QU9lgwxvyyHq6CBnbx?si=1810b7720e7c4954

            2. Cat Boy Jeepney Drivers – Diary Ng Pogi (jax)

            “DIARY NG POGI” has a certain je ne sais quoi, perhaps in Cat Boy Jeepney Drivers’ futuristic approach to concepts that go beyond simply making a pastiche of 2010s romcom music and mainstream pop. The esoteric duo Neytan and Areli’s love for that era shines through in every track, blending dream-pop and experimental R&B with cheeky production like in their cover of Justin Bieber’s “Boyfriend” or their interpolation of Nadine Lustre’s “Paligoy-ligoy.” This is literally a no-skip mixtape packed with freneticism brought to life through autotune-laden and reverb-heavy production, making the 2010s feel astig and fresh. 

            Moreover, local pop culture was pervasive for those of us who grew up in that time, especially with the then-rise of Facebook, YouTube, and internet access. And the duo managed to transform that nostalgia into something frivolous and welcoming. The idea of reviving exactly the sound of 2010s Pinoy pop felt so impossible before, until the release of this mixtape… The outro perfectly encapsulates the feeling of its stylish sound – everyday ay birthday [natin]!

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/0wwfCmnpeLKCDEeZgRWPvt?si=f3bd7a5194d24426

            1. Memory Drawers – Memory Drawers (louis)

            Underneath the dreamy pastures of Memory Drawer’s self-titled album lies the core of its gleaming spirit: its interconnectedness. Despite the amount of time lingering towards the creation of their debut album, Memory Drawers never distances away in filling pieces of which melodies will stick in our memory. Its overall package is like a small capsule box, which nonetheless pops up all of the wistful longings that this trio has penned down.

            Within all of that patience, the self-titled record encapsulates the majestic strength that comes from bands that want to bring their songs into the world amidst dour musings that surround present times. Personal priorities may be focused throughout everyone’s lives, but as long as their connections continue growing forward, they’ll always be able to make something special. Their debut album does just that: colliding their paths into one, where the possibilities of creating more memories are cherished in the songs they made together.

            LINK: https://open.spotify.com/album/77pocqnF1OlVMLbQ15j6LQ?si=iq-SMv4lSlCYXn5zeLU2ww

          2. TFL presents: THE 20 BEST FILIPINO RELEASES OF 2023

            TFL presents: THE 20 BEST FILIPINO RELEASES OF 2023

            The year 2023 saw a lot of shifts happening: the rise of scene kids coming from the FYPs and For You pages of yore and the steadily rising of attendees in DIY underground shows all over. In Luzon, newer collectives were formed via embodying the gothic, emoviolence sensibilities of Metro Manila’s newer heavy music units. Over at the Visayas region, genres like hiphop and dream pop are the talk of the town, making both soundscapes and cultures sought for newer heights. And in Mindanao, their scene becomes more and more solidified in terms of dance music and various alternative genres that goes beyond the expectations of a regular Imperial Manila listener.

            From Luzon, Visayas to Mindanao, we present to you a yearly tradition that the editorial team would always prepare themselves for; Not just because it’s the task that’s daunting, but it’s the journey and the result of 11 months of scouring the internet and gigs for the best of Filipino music. Here it is, The 20 Filipino Releases of 2023.

            20. Lil JVibe – WHOLE LOTTA LUVSHIT

            Simply put, ‘WHOLE LOTTA LUVSHIT’ is the pop-rap EP that immediately puts Lil JVibe into this current space of inventive local hip hop. From Gem Records Production’s assist in balancing out the 4 tracks’ layered drill and jersey club beats, oodles of pop sample choices that are stitched amazingly well, and Lil JVibe’s ability to keenly blitz through these immense soundscapes is a big testament to his skill as an artist. ‘WHOLE LOTTA LUVSHIT’ is a bold, untethered, and sincere EP that’s just the beginning of Lil JVibe’s ambitious potential as an artist, one that all of us should pay serious attention to. -Louis Pelingen

            19. Panjia – all the colors that make you!!!

            In the year 2023, you have a ton of shoegaze acts that can easily pass off as imitators of someone and something given the time and algorithm to figure it all out. Staying true to its title, this debut EP “all the colors that make you!!!” is a primer of what you need to know about Panjia; youthful angst in front of computer screen, yearning in a language fitted for the hell week tortured student and loaded with nu-gaze terminology. The solo project surprisingly brings tasteful riffage-writing and overall promise in the young crop of heavy gazers out there locally. It’s Zoomer Shoegaze Bingo and the first recipient of such game is none other than Panjia. -Elijah P.

            18. Punebre – Ang Nasa Dako Paroon

            ‘Ang Nasa Dako Paroon’ is a compelling testament to the raw essence of old-school death metal. With influences echoing ‘90s death metal, Punebre skillfully intertwines a foreboding atmosphere, relentless energy, and concise, impactful lyrics in highlight tracks like ‘Itim.’ The result is a sound that pays homage to the horror genre, revitalized for a new era, with slight nods to Filipino horror filmology, urban mythology, and folk mythology—‘Balete Overdrive’ and ‘Shaken and Rattled’ come to mind. However, Punebre’s most exciting feat that further amplifies excitement for their music is their inventive approach to PR. I vividly recall ordering a copy of their demo CD, which included tracks from ‘Ang Nasa Dako Paroon’, and to my surprise, the package included a meticulously crafted autopsy report. I have since kept that piece of paper and plan to have it framed on my wall. Though I still feel tremendous regret for missing out on their limited release of blood-soaked Punebre shirts earlier this year, there’s always a reason to be excited for Punebre. -Nikolai Dineros

            1. Irrevocable – Generational Curses

            Emo and punk band Irrevocable further show their ability to make face melting songs in this new release. They talk more about family influences and touching tributes while letting the songs breathe more resulting in a more engaging and expanded dynamic sound that doesn’t overstay its welcome – in fact, making the listener want more. -Janlor Encarnacion

            1. Oh, Flamingo – Pagtanda

            The aging process offers a different perspective even to veteran bands of the music scene. Oh, Flamingo! takes a look at timeless topics such as love and loss but with the added perception of being able to look back. Coupled with the use of our native language, the band is able to process emotions in a more connected way while still being distinctly Flamingo-y. -Janlor Encarnacion

            1. Toots – Jargon State

            Toots’ debut depicts an expertly crafted adventure into self-discovery. The earnest vocals display a tenderness that contrasts with the loud-soft contrast of each song – showing a wild journey both lyricism and soundscape. This is an indie-rock/folk EP that deserves multiple listens. -Janlor Encarnacion

            1. Precal Dropouts – Little One, Travel Far

            Davao alternative rock and shoegaze crossover outfit Precal Dropouts have indeed traveled far and wide in their long awaited debut EP. The charmed life of Gavin, Jan Mark, Ben, Neilcon and Dee has been incredibly eventful. Singing about their gardens, dinosaurs and tidal waves, their sentimentality has reached from the Manila shores to the third floor of Suazo in their hometown. The project is a welcome gift for all new and old fans of the genre, servicing the classic tropes and new offerings of its sonic choices. Wherever you go, there’s a journey worth taking and that is listening to “Little One, Travel Far”. -Elijah P.

            1. DJ Love – Budots World

            Budots World is a compilation consisting of the dance genre “budots” in its different mutations, variations and traditional production style performed by different producers all over the country. It was an effort to unite all producers locally and thankfully Manila Community Radio were able to make the pioneering producer DJ LOVE’s dreams come true in this project. “Budots World” has a diverse selection and interpretations, resulting into 100 percent organic and pouring in 200 percent bust-a-groove energy. This is a mix that you shouldn’t pass on. -Elijah P.

            1. Promote Violence – Joyful

            There are two different listening experiences to Promote Violence’s “Joyful”: one is hearing multiple synth screeches and feedback resulting into a cathartic release; The other is a story of how religious Fundamentalist approaches can break a human into two. Despite all the realistic horrors of one group, PV’s confrontational nature is a sound to behold. After hearing the aggressive, therapeutic vocal delivery and its abrasive electronic/noisy production, this emotional release can potentially open many eyes of those who experienced the same pain of their oppressors. And that is why “Joyful” is a must listen for many, religious or not. It’s one hell of a story to hear and a warning sign to all followers out there. -Elijah P.

            1. Goon Lagoon – Rocket Peace

            ‘Rocket Peace’ is the project that etched Goon Lagoon’s identity as a full-on grunge band. In this record, the band touches on the chaotic brilliance of their earlier work and painted them on a larger canvas. Marked by in-your-face tracks like ‘Down the Drain’ and ‘Pocket Grease’, Goon Lagoon is shaping up to be one of Elev8 Me L8r’s most intense groups to date. -Nikolai Dineros

            1. ONE CLICK STRAIGHT – s/t

            ONE CLICK STRAIGHT unleashes a wave of irresistibly catchy indie-pop tunes in their self-titled debut album, hitting the mark with tracks like ‘MRT,’ ‘Dahan-Dahan,’ ‘Synecdoche,’ ‘untitled 02,’ and ‘Hahayaan.’ This eponymous release marks the start of their stylistic evolution, capturing their affection for post-punk while deviating from the genre’s melancholic tendencies. The band’s success is intertwined with the younger generation’s embrace of gothic sensibilities in music and fashion, evident in their adolescent fan base driving a new emo takeover. While some aspects of their songwriting might need ironing out, tackling uplifting music with heavy influences from rock’s more depressive subgenres is already an ambitious feat, which they pulled off with their hits, and their impact on this new wave of show-goers is undeniable. They may be clad in all-black garments and covered in dark eyeliners, but if you happen to go to one of their live shows, you’re in for a party. -Nikoai Dineros

            1. ALYSON – Definitely! Love!

            Ateneo’s most charming quintet makes a triumphant return with their album ‘Definitely Love!’ after a long break following the release of their eponymous debut EP. Clad in matching beige suits with their newfound love for the city pop genre, ALYSON shines a light on the rather depressing cityscapes of Metro Manila, showcasing more brass work in a valiant attempt to overpower the seemingly insurmountable cacophonies of car horns and car engines during EDSA’s Friday rush hour traffic. It does not take much to get the idea; just listen to ‘Underpass’! ‘Definitely Love!’ is exactly what its title suggests, and ALYSON perfectly delivers the whole message with all the small bits one would either find cute or cringe-worthy, all packed into one Japan-pressed eight-track album to listen to while stuck in the suffocating hell of city traffic with the knowledge that there’s someone you will come home to. So, no place for cynics here! -Nikolai Dineros

            1. bird. – oshin

            When you sleepwalk, you feel like you’re surfboarding across the waves; timing is essential and going with the flow is strategic. Sometimes it’s okay to embrace the fact that bird. made a “surf rock” album for people who wanted to relive those sandy beaches while listening to “Teen Dream” and a little bit of Real Estate. The tracks have rhythm among the bevy of noise. The vocals carry a lot of emotional weight in spite of its husky delivery. Their own brand of dreampop genre is kept sacred and celebrated in their sanctuary. The band has brought it to life from front to back in “oshin”. -Elijah P.

            1. Noa Mal – Suspended Animation

            Noa Mal continues her multiple-release streak with her recent four releases that reflect Noa Mal’s diversion in darting varied sonic palettes and songwriting themes. However, out of the four projects, ‘Suspended Animation’ remains supreme. A pivot towards languid, softer soundscapes saturates Noa Mal’s expressions of feeling blue as she replaces a lot of her usual grunge elements with drum machines, hazy synths, and tranquil pianos. It leads to ‘Suspended Animation’ ending up as Noa Mal’s refreshing projects to date, where within suspended stillness, the disillusioned numbness becomes more noticeable and upfront. -Louis Pelingen

            1. Jason Dhakal – BEING

            The three years of growth after Jason Dhakal’s debut project have allowed him to compile his confidence in his sophomore album ‘BEING’, where the development in his artistic presence finally allows him to find comfort and joy in his poised self. That sense of grace manifests further with Lustbass’ set of warm, luxuriant production with beds of pianos and horns that complement the well-composed low-end instrumentation. An improvement on all fronts and so much more, ‘BEING’ represents Jason Dhakal’s newfound embrace of his growth, now able to be an inviting romantic in his alluring aura. -Louis Pelingen

            5. Gibraltar – Promo Release

            Hardcore veterans of GIBRALTAR are ending 2023 on an explosive note with their Promo 2023 release under Still Ill Records, arguably one of the best labels in the Philippines today, and a series of live shows across the country to promote the said release. Promo 2023 opens up with ‘Novena’, a haunting prayer vigil reminiscent of Bystorm’s opener to their ‘sumalangitnawa’ (also under Still Ill Records) aptly titled ‘Unang Pagbasa’, before dropping fire after fire with intense ferocity. There’s no breathing room from here on out, as GIBRALTAR clobbers you with some of the most extreme hardcore tracks this year, including ‘The Strongest Weapon’, ‘Jagannath’ and ‘Hissing Cross’, so you best have said your prayers at ‘Novena’. The closest you’ll get to a break is ‘Rondalla’, but the record’s almost through at that point. -Nikolai Dineros

            1. Kindred – Subset

            ‘Subset’ is the debut mixtape from the boyband Kindred that spills forth numerous rays of color ever since they put out their lead single last year. Despite the different musical flair and origin points of Kindred’s members, ‘subset’ is an impressive body of work that taps all of their brimming light into a single colorful holistic wavelength, deeply immersing their styles of OPM, R&B, and Hip-Hop into one jubilant package. Helped further by Kindred’s embrace of their connections and influences from past and present, ‘subset’ carves out the exciting routes OPM can lead into the future, a future that’s joyous to see for eccentric artists like Kindred thrive even more. -Louis Pelingen

            1. The General Strike – s/t

            The General Strike’s debut album has everything you need to hear in a local blues album – harmonicas, anthems about the current struggles from all sectors and a powerful vocal presence that’s exceeded expectations beyond the seas, mountains and streets. Stories of a blue-collar worker’s strife are delivered truthfully, the necessary action of calling for justice, farmer’s rights and land reform using the local tongue will stand as an eternal symbol of equality and worker’s rights. -Janlor Encarnacion

            1. Limbs – Everything Under Heaven

            Limbs unleashes a colossal musical journey that transcends their screamo roots in this full-length release, ‘Everything Under Heaven’. This Manila-based hardcore band skillfully navigates punk’s diverse umbrella, blending electronic fusions harmoniously with the album’s kaiju motif. Beyond its musical intricacies, ‘Everything Under Heaven’ addresses mass injustices in the Philippines, shedding light on human rights violations and state-induced terror in rural areas. With contributions from artists like Jem Gallardo of Pry fame and rap duo switchbxtch, ‘Everything Under Heaven’ stands as an enormous, politically charged work urging listeners to confront uncomfortable truths and join the movement for change. -Nikolai Dineros

            1. The Purest Blue – All is True

            ‘All Is True’ explores nostalgia’s encompassing feelings, one compressed in a dollhouse one could barely make out in their nostalgic childhood. The Purest Blue builds her own experience of this reminiscing journey through painted layers of shoegaze and dream pop foundations with mixing assistance from Jared Lim that makes the compositions crisp and bright overall.

            ‘All Is True’ is also poignant in musing through The Purest Blue’s reflection of her past, feeling all the torrent of joyous highs and painful lows from those moments yet finding the truth within to pave her peaceful path that keeps those memories with her late father resonate even stronger. It’s easy to write off nostalgia through a rose-colored lens, but ‘All Is True’ shatters that through a closer look at warm and melancholic moments of love and loss that will eventually lead the way to a moving conclusion where the memories from people will be cherished closer than ever, a good luck charm as we embrace a tender kindness in our lives. -Louis Pelingen

            Thank you so much for supporting TFL throughout the year 2023, folks! Stay tuned for more updates on reviews, shows and many more!

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          3. TFL’s THE 23 FILIPINO TRACKS OF 2023

            TFL’s THE 23 FILIPINO TRACKS OF 2023

            Every year, something monumental happens in the music scene, whether it would be an army of alt-kids taking over a mall show, a rapper taking over the country by storm on Tiktok or a DIY venue at the verge of crumbling after two shoegaze bands. Genres have multiplied into bubbles, ecosystems emerge as newer venues from the highways of Cavite to the driveway of a basement at a Chinese restaurant. There’s a steady scene rising, amplifying louder one year after the other: 2023 is a year where those highlights have made made an impact beyond NCR.

            From Luzon, Visayas to Mindanao, we present to you a yearly tradition that the editorial team would always prepare themselves for; Not just because it’s the task that’s daunting, but it’s the journey and the result of 11 months of scouring the internet and gigs for the best of Filipino music. Here it is, The 23 Filipino Tracks of 2023.

            23. P4BL0 – baka magalit mf mo

            In the “18 Commandments of the Boybestfriend”, there’s unnecessary fluff written along those ridiculous rules. However, P4bl0’s “baka magalit boyfriend mo” has this lasting effect delivered by its cloud-9 like production, ultimately writing one of the best pop hooks in the game now. It hasn’t been written on the scribes nor the tablets that South Metro Manila regular P4Bl0 made a banger track tailor made for the rebounds. Whether it’s the wacky gimmick of BBF/GBFs or the semi-ironic execution, P4bl0 has proven and tested that the undying concept of love and yearning can be done in a dreamy cloud-rap fashion. -Elijah P.

            22. O Side Mafia – My Thang

            It’s been an endless streak of hit singles for O $ide Mafia despite the lackluster collaborations and disputes between territorial beef and fan leaks; “My Thang” is a victorious reaction to all of the success outweighing all of the group’s cons in the game. The simple old-school 2000s G-Funk influenced synths, the satisfying braggadacio three-verse combo and the killer hook is an all-time career highlight for the group and they just stay winning while all the haters watch. -Elijah P.

            1. KRNA – Dream Again

            KRNA expand on their infectious sound by expanding their soundscapes to include reverse guitar samples while pairing back on KCs vocal strength. The single shows the band’s mastery of making heartwarming music and a story of yearning that feels like a warm embrace being whispered while in a slumber. -Janlor Encarnacion

            1. Armi Millare – Roots

            Armi Millare announced her return to the music scene with a dissonant pop single – taking the time to show her own prowess in music creation with a tune leaning towards more pop and r&b. Roots signals the metamorphosis and re-emergence of OPMs signature voices and we can’t wait for more. -Janlor Encarnacion

            1. Suyen – Sonic Tonic

            ‘Sonic Tonic’ is the long-anticipated debut that charges Suyen’s magnetic presence amidst the fray of fringed pop rock, a bottle of riot grrl and grunge blends where Suyen just sounds high-spirited in her craving for that adrenaline rush. Sam Marquez’s production is impeccable in bringing the heatwave atmosphere to ‘Sonic Tonic’, where the already remarkable chugging riffs and splashy drum work are vibrant and immense. Enough to keep everyone cheering along the soaring hook, ‘Sonic Tonic’ is a striking first cut from Suyen who is never afraid to jump first into action, letting her do anything to reach a gratifying emotion that will keep her feel alive. -Louis Pelingen

            1. ASIDE BOONDOCKS – SOUFSIDE

            ‘SOUFSIDE’ is a meteoric statement from the Cebu Hip-Hop collective ASIDE BOONDOCKS as they erupted through the scene with their tastes for boom bap and hardcore hip-hop. Flagrant in their hyperbolic expressiveness, that ecstatic flair allows each of their distinct flows to tumble through the stirring hypnotic beat that has a quirk of its own due to its swaggering bass lines and buzzy synth waves. ‘SOUFSIDE’ stamps a mark that will break further ground for the Odd Future-inspired Hardcore Hip-Hop ASIDE BOONDOCKS are leaning towards, where they’ll spark an explosion that you can’t help but feel its heat. -Louis Pelingen

            1. Waiian ft. Yorko, U-Pistol – SMILE

            With Waiian’s recent return for his sophomore album, ‘SMILE’ is a track that has a familiar thematic trudge from this rapper who has a lot more to observe past his 2020 debut. In this pensive reflection on the mortality and bullshit of life, Waiian invites Yorko and U-Pistol to pen down their emotions on the table amidst a relaxed boom-bap beat and calming piano lines. As a result of that writing session, ‘SMILE’ ended up being Waiian’s best song to date where the melodies are tight and catchy on all quarters from Waiian and Co. No wonder that ‘SMILE’ is one of the lead singles for Waiian’s recent project for a reason, as it’s a respite that brings a gentle smile on constant repeat. -Louis Pelingen

            16. PETTE SHABU – Bulbulin Ka Na

            As PETTE SHABU goes deeper into her experimental rap tapestry with every track she puts out, her transgressive lyricism and ferocious flows become more sharper. That in itself eventually led her to release dozens of challenging sonic bangers in 2023, with ‘Bulbulin Ka Na’ bringing the most sting out of her thus far. Through every whirling wordplay PETTE SHABU spits out, her flow turns impenetrable as PETTE SHABU confidently carries herself within horseboyy’s dense glitchy beat. ‘Bulbulin ka na’ is a bulldozer that keeps PETTE SHABU in control of her agency, lashing down everyone who comes for her without shame. -Louis Pelingen

            1. Pikunin – Tadhana

            The dizzying hyper-pop artist known as AHJU$$I may have retired from that moniker, but his rebirth as Pikunin has those old bits and pieces intact, now ribboned with UK Garage rhythms and ticklish vocal flair. These characteristics manifest through Pikunin’s debut track, ‘Tadhana’, using Armi Mallare’s cooing vocals as the Jersey club beat tiptoes around it which also serves to be a bouncy springboard for Pikunin’s chirpy vocals and twee lyricism. Starry-eyed in nostalgia with a modern touch, Pikunin spins a refreshing take on the classic song that updates his eccentric brand of pop with gleeful yearning. -Louis Pelingen

            1. Ronan – Insomnia ft. SHUICHI

            Out of the few tracks that Ronan has put out this year, the tweaked version of ‘Insomnia’ is his most compelling release thus far. With additional robust instrumentation, polished production, and shattering performances from both Ronan and Shuichi, ‘Insomnia’ blooms into something fully formed and representative of Ronan’s breakthrough within this psychedelic R&B niche. Ronan’s cover of ‘Kailan’ might be the seed that takes a peek at what he can bring, but ‘Insomnia’ is the one that emerges into the surface, unfolding into a jaw-dropping track as a result. -Louis Pelingen

            https://soundcloud.com/ronanfauxangel/insomnia-ft-shuichi
            1. Salem and the Stellar Cats – Reflections After Salem

            There’s spoken word about the local bands you’re with, some moments you just crave the halal patir in your neighborhood, and sometimes you just can’t resist calling your pet cat out of overwhelming emotional bonding. In the phenomenal “Reflections After Salem”, living in a world after Salem is a reminder that everywhere you go is a dizzying world of love, companionship and overall chaos. There’s angular, punk-driven riffages, buildups that give off a bedroom pop glare and a voice of an artist just waiting for their pet cat to come home. It’s real and it’s genuine and we’re all for Salem and the Stellar Cats. -Elijah P.

            1. Sica – Choosy

            Greenhouse Records’ very own Sica remains to be one of those rappers that personifies the “no fucks” attitude. We’re all aware that words in the verse are to live by one hundred percent. Regardless of how much material he’s released in the past to the present, “Choosy” is a centerpiece to all slices of life. Looming over the nocturnal production like its Gotham City, Sica’s got what it takes to be on point wherever he goes and whatever beat he chooses to hop on. It’s Sica effortlessly bringing the attitude adjustment and we’re here witnessing its greatness unfold. -Elijah P.

            1. Demi ft. Madman Stan – homebdy

            The heavy hitters from newcomers have been abundant throughout the year 2023, especially for the realm of r&b, and it’s no surprise that the new breed like DEMI brought the heavy rotation from dusk till dawn on “homebdy”. Carrying the verse behind his back, Madman Stan converses with DEMI like a natural while the latter clemently speaks over the sensual flute samples like it’s the final countdown of the evening. The track almost feels cinematic at points, but there’s appeal to its short-but-sweet length and that alone is a reason as to why it’s an earworm to many throughout the year. -Elijah P.

            1. Cat Boy Jeepney Drivers – Unsint a Message

            Labeling themselves as the premiere “buko pie and sisig pretty boys” on the internet, Cat Boy Jeepney Drivers champions everything about the current “isms” of love, online and momentary relapsing in “Unsint A Message” – a revelatory dream-pop r&b bop that transcends digital bodies into the love letters of that never was. Serenaded by resident shyboys Neytan & Areli, “Unsint a Message” is proof that geographical distance can’t stop both artists expressing their sincere riverbed of feelings in one track, whether done in copious amounts of reverb or harmonious autotuned textures. Cat Boy Jeepney Drivers might as well take their stylish sentimentality throughout 2024. -Elijah P.

            1. Rhodessa – Kisame

            The “harhar vocalist” movement was dying, and singer-songwriter Rhodessa has resuscitated the genre in ways you would never expect. On paper, it’s a style that’s been on the forefront for the more tender crowd. Nonetheless, the neophyte took those cliches up a notch, creating a new category of herself in the long run. Coming out of nowhere pre-”Kisame”, Rhodessa bursted out of the scene with the track alongside its comforting vocal delivery. It’s a sonic manifestation of a daydream, optimism shot across the heavens and ultimately landing perfectly albeit the pleasantly, gentle pacing. -Elijah P.

            1. Japanese Surplus – Lovespring

            The one liner “Will I still love you in the spring?” are like dart shots to the chest; Questioning seasons and time changing, newcomer Japanese Surplus put local songwriters on a chokehold in breakthrough track “Lovespring”. In the pile of Marlboro blues, pale ribbons and sad Notes app messages for the self, underneath those knick knacks is a gem waiting to be found. Soundcloud has done it again being the prime app for the underground and it goes to show that acts like Japanese Surplus are one of those promising flock of young singer-songwriters today. -Elijah P.

            1. Toneejay – Parang Magic

            Pasig’s rising folk-pop star, Toneejay, departs from his earlier sound as he unveils one of his two hits in 2023, ‘Parang Magic.’ True to its title, Toneejay impresses with a more vibrant and earnest version of himself, using just the bare essentials. What made this transition work for Toneejay was his knack for fundamentals in songwriting and production. Gone are the days of navigating an entire soundboard, tweaking his channels left and right in search of that squeaky-clean setup that would make for his trademark sound. With the simplicity of well-crafted musical elements, minimal EQ work in post, and heartfelt lyricism to boot, Toneejay adeptly navigates dynamic shifts, integrating pulsating bass lines and his signature falsettos. -Elijah P.

            1. Showtime Official Club – Paligoy Ligoy

            The year 2023 is the state where the 2010s Pinoy pop culture nostalgia has come full swing, with Showtime Official Club mainly unveiling that nostalgia through audio form with their run of tracks since late last year. Yet, ‘Paligoy Ligoy Remix’ is more than calling out nostalgia as it embraces the structure of a collaborative Budots DJ Mix, where each phase from four out of the nine Showtime Official Club DJs offers different tones and rhythms that are consistently bouncy and frenetic in their energy. The ‘Paligoy Ligoy Remix’ was a standout from the moment it was released, an essential cut from Showtime Official Club’s ridiculous goldmine of releases, and a bombastic echo that will eventually net the collective a deserving spot on Boiler Room alongside the DJ that influenced their sound in the first place: DJ Love. -Louis Pelingen

            1. kyleaux, k1ko – gusto kita

            Under the 25hearts collective is an assortment of young-fledged musicians who have been morphing their style for the past few years, one that eventually cultivated a following ever since. On ‘gusto kita’, kyleaux and k1ko under 25hearts show a step further in expanding their sonic stepping stones, where kyleaux’s flexible vocal lines fit nicely on k1ko’s shuffling 2-step production. Catchy as sin in so many ways, ‘gusto kita’ is yet another piece for 25hearts’ intrigue towards branching out their creative music mindsets. -Louis Pelingen

            1. FEIFEI – Minato

            Just when we thought hyperpop had already peaked and the whole Y2K comeback was just a fad, then comes Feifei with her banger ‘MINATO’, an Adderall-filled pop tune perfectly curated for potential success in the Gen Z crowd: internet vernacular hinging on the parasocial romance culture prevalent in online community hubs like Discord, and a pre-made sped-up version of the song. All that’s left for this song to go full circle is a TikTok video going viral with ‘MINATO’ in the background. -Nikolai Dineros

            1. Hev Abi – WELCOME2DTQ

            Welcome to downtown Quezon City, a place where no one coddles you, and everyone takes advantage of each other, ready to chew you up and spit you out if you don’t climb the ranks. In ‘WELCOME2DTQ’, Hev Abi invites you to Kyusi’s simulacrum of the larger Filipino hip-hop realm. In its 3-minute runtime, Hev Abi’s playful flows and on-the-mic persona vividly describe his beloved turf, perfectly encapsulating the relentless competition among hustlers in the streets of Metro Manila. It’s a warzone of individuals who refuse to be lorded over, fighting fiercely for their image. If you’re just a rookie around these parts, know that at the top of the food chain is Hev Abi. -Nikolai Dineros

            1. cheeky things – korean blackout curtains 7ft. (1pc, not set)

            The effects of local underground music’s biggest watershed moment in the last couple of years have finally come to a boiling point with the arrival of cheeky things and the release of their standout track ‘korean blackout curtains 7ft (1pc, not set)’, signaling a full-scale takeover of the post-lockdown indie zeitgeist. Heavily inspired by the cult-favorite indie rock band Duster with a dash of The Smashing Pumpkins spice, ‘korean blackout curtains 7ft (1pc, not set)’ can be heard from small crowded venues in the peripheries of Metro Manila’s local music hubs to the Spotify playlists of a particular wave of Filipino adolescents embracing gig culture, inundated by the ways of arthouse films, shoegaze, Roman empires, and German philosophers. No one expected this young band, let alone a demo version of their song to be this big, but we are here for it. -Nikolai Dineros

            1. RB Slatt – Pahna

            When we first caught wind of RB Slatt through his collab track ‘Lasing Na Naman’ with fellow rapper Eros Rhodes, and later on, his single ‘TAHLA’, we knew this guy was on to something. Enter his breakout song, ‘PAHNA’, a melting pot of a remix of ‘One Way’ by Autumn! broken down to its atomic structure before being molded into an entirely different creature, one that is superior to the original.

            Much like his courage to show emotional vulnerability in the song, RB Slatt does not shy away from taking creative risks, constantly challenging the limits of what can be considered ‘palatable’ to the common listener’s taste, while simultaneously proving through his growing success that there is a place for the eclectic style of internet cloud rap in the larger rap game obsessed with empty bravado and tried-and-tested trends in production. -Nikolai Dineros

            _

            Thank you for supporting The Flying Lugaw for the entire 2023. Follow and like our official socials for more announcements! Watch out for the TOP 20 Filipino Releases of 2023!

            Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

          4. TFL PRESENTS: THE 25 BEST TRACKS OF 2022

            TFL PRESENTS: THE 25 BEST TRACKS OF 2022

            The year had no shortage of spectacular tracks, may it be coming from a sprawling piece of ambient or a quick rage session with a posse. The releases keep coming as if bands or artists in general are to take back the two years of lockdown. Compared to what it was pre-pandemic, these tracks come out stronger and more effective than ever. Coming from a culture where lone recordings made the most imprints than an actual full length release, listeners would rather leave no track left behind. Covering the depths of internet post-punk from Bulacan to the trenches of drill in Pasay, here are the 25 best Filipino tracks of 2022.

            25.) tidal – calcium

            The standout single from their debut album, the quartet paint a story of kindred spirits finding solace in the cracks of each other’s brokenness as the blasting drums of Tan Flojo and the bright guitar work of Keith and AJ lend the stage for Clarence’s ruminating vocals to deliver a heartfelt performance. -Janlor Encarnacion

            24.) neytan & areli – FAR

            Out of all that Neytan has put out this year, he struck gold with this track. Bringing along Areli to put a shuffling beat and spiraling vocal touches to eventually create their Brockhampton-inspired cut is a sweet treat from start to finish. It has an anxious sentiment that these two exudes perfectly, a reserved attitude towards whether it is best to stay with her or keep some distance away from her. The track is quite the whirlwind, where even if that anxiety stays in your head, you’ll keep on pushing forward somehow. -Louis Pelingen

            23.) Cowboy Country Club – Squirrel on the Line

            Amidst the journey of reflecting through connections and relationships, ‘Squirrel On The Line’ reveals a layer of that reflection in a prickly fashion. Within the cycling acoustic strums, waves of violins, and subtle synth layering comes this stressful set of emotional struggles that persists in one’s entire life. It’s a catharsis delivered in a simple yet moving passage, in the poignant way that Cowboy Country Club does well. -Louis Pelingen

            22.) Turncoats – Future Fossil

            Baguio’s very own indie/dreampop trio shine in their latest offering of 2022 that is “Future Fossil”. With the mix of garage rock-inspired instrumentals and dreampop-tinged vocals, Turncoats yearn about self-doubt and self-worth thrown in the midst of the whirlwind of sound. The upbeat pace and reverb-drenched vocals mask the song’s relatable theme of acceptance and discovery in a world where trying to fit in and living up to expectations dictate an individual’s value to society. And in today’s society, devoted listeners need bands like Turncoats -Janlor Encarnacion

            21.) Spacedog Spacecat – Jay Muscis

            Spacedog Spacecat, the indie crossover the entire Manila scene was not ready for, pushes their fuzz pedals to their limits on ‘Jay Muscis’. With a bright intro riffage, a dense rhythm section, polarizing dream pop vocals, and playful yet subtle counter melodies, ‘Jay Muscis’ is proof of the many utilities of the fuzz sound (get it?). And who wouldn’t say no to hearing Megumi Acorda in 2022? -Nikolai Dineros

            20.) kindred – Switch On U!

            “Can’t stay at mad at you” says the boyband as they sing in the chorus.“Show me something new” says the boyband sing in the outro. Kindred strives for patience and virtue in their craft, and even greater – notably louder – energies in your nearest party.  There’s a throng of voices clashing against the bleeps and boops of their producers and there are pointpersons to every punchline. This formula that is “the boyband” defines their camaraderie during the pandemic and “Switch On U!” is evidence of their growth and fervor in the game. -Elijah P.

            19.) Armi Millare/Munro – Take Me

            Stepping away from a project and returning to an old one, Take Me is the next step forward for Armi Millare. It’s the first shard for what will be a different side of her artistry, taking spare amount of instrumentation to fill in and elevate her impassioned voice. It’s baroque in its spare, atmospheric, and yearning form, with love displayed to be given even when the partner is out of reach. -Louis Pelingen

            18.) Identikit – Dust Collector

            Identikit solidifies their unique sound with Dust Collector – filled with quirky synth hooks, a groovy bass, and Esber’s unpredictable guitar sound supporting James’ haunting vocals. As the band talks more about an android collection that is kept for show and is untouched by strangers, the lounge-y  vibe of the song round out the mystery in the lyrics and is a great representation of the uniqueness of the band. -Janlor Encarnacion

            17.) Cheats – Morning After ft. Johnoy Danao

            “Morning After” is like watching a balancing act from the alternative-rock favorite Cheats. The tonal balance of the three vocalists – Sab, Candy, and Jim, accompanied with Johnoy Danao’s delicate vocals brought this track to a home run. Fuzzed-out guitars ringing in the back, commanding percussion leading the way and most importantly, the audio separation towards the end made the song a breath of fresh air. The lyrical abstraction of the “Morning After” is a chase towards self-reflection and unexpected realizations which exhibit the band’s progress towards shaping their trademark sound. Cheats honed a consistent sound across their discography. However, “Morning After” operates in its own defined space and introduces a new side of the band collaborating with other artists – which we are looking forward to in the future.  “Morning After” is a clear promise of what Cheats can establish in the scene. -Sab Aguirre

            16.) Noah Alejandre – di man tinadhana

            In this industry full of male har-har and industry falsetto giants, only one artist was able to make it out of the dreaded rabbit hole: Ormoc, Leyte’s very own Noah Alejandre. Straight from the pop duo that is Reon, Alejandre tries his hand out in the formula, slowly but steadily throwing in his rendition of the style. And the result: a smoother, catchier and captivating vocal performance. “Di man Tinadhana” was a formula perfected to the very bone of its predecessors, to an extent that it made better results compared to his contemporaries. -Elijah P.

            15.) Joy Fiction – will i ever be myself again?

            “Will I ever be myself again?” sails the coast and rides the waves of the current bedroom post-punk revival. It’s hypnotic from start to finish, eerie and soft yet uncomfortably intimate. The foundational drum machine, indistinguishable drawls, and an atmospheric guitar riff unveils a yearning for Joy Fiction’s theme. -Sab Aguirre

            14.) Hey June! – Panahon

            “Panahon” has left us a bittersweet feeling – whether or not we’ll see the sunrise shining through the window panes of our classroom or the door creaking in the halls of your favorite noontime class – Hey June! has perfectly captured the feeling of nostalgia and longing, tailor fit in the life and times of a Filipino highschool student. -Elijah P.

            13.) Eros Rhodes ft. RB SLATT – Lasing Nanaman

            Sometimes, the most heartfelt people can also be the most heartbroken people in the world, and so does Eros Rhodes in this song. Jumping on a splashy digicore beat with hints of acoustics, he brings along a vocal intensity that is a swerve from his usual chilled-out emotions. He along with RB SLATT charge and trip their way as they shout heaps of exhausted, pent-up anger towards a partner that has been cheating behind the scenes. It’s volatile and crushing, with a chorus that makes you want to shout along with them.

            12.) Blaster and The Celestial Klowns – Huwag Mabahala

            ‘HUWAG MABAHALA’ is a prime example of the 23-year-old singer-songwriter’s musical prowess— and going by personal bias, it is my favorite Kosmik Island song. Though not as popular as his two singles ‘NARARARARAMDAMAN’ and ‘O KAY GANDA’, the fifth track to Blaster’s debut album is a well-structured melodic rock banger with excellent pacing. If you’ve been following Blaster‘s career trajectory and are excited about his artistic vision going forward, then it is likely that you’re going to enjoy this track from front to back.

            11.) ena mori – VIVID 

            The easiest way to describe “VIVID” is that it sounds like being constantly lucid. Fleeting between powerful verses and an enthusiastic chorus, this addictive track doesn’t let up, not for the tiniest of moments, with every single second adding up to create an unpredictably thrilling journey.”VIVID” is the apex of her sound so far – rich with powerful bass drops and scaling synth riffs, the ena mori’s signature fractured approach highlights her idiosyncratic approach to music. -Sab Aguirre

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gfPuBLik88

            10.) dwta – Santigwar

            This was a year for Southern Tagalog music and what better way to kick off the year than dwta’s stellar narrative of their history in “Santigwar”. The track embodies the sensibilities of Bicolano folklore in the most intriguing ways; From performance to actual aesthetics, dwta has reached the apex of storytelling that is highlighting not just the language you speak, but also the cultural background of where everything – from the beasts of the mountains to the fairies of the forests- are coming from. -Elijah P.

            9.) Sliz – Droga ang Pag-Ibig

            Popping away from her viral breakthrough last year with Sige, she takes her faintly affectionate presence with a dose of romance. Droga Ang Pag-Ibig essentially drops her familiar tone into a hypnotic swirl, especially with the organic loops of relaxed drums and bass, and tasteful acoustic guitar that fits SLIZ’s vocal tune pleasantly well as she muses just how love itself changes her world with positive drapes. It’s a potion filled with romantic pleasantries that end up as a brief, yet sweetly intoxicating addiction. -Louis Pelingen

            8.) Megumi Acorda – feverfew

            Megumi Acorda might be one of the few artists who have achieved cult status with releasing only one EP and a live session of the same EP over the course of 4 years under her dream pop project. To what might have seen her as the second of Hope Sandoval for others due to her quiet yet entrancing vocal performance, “feverfew” does the complete opposite in the Acorda Dream Pop playbook. Flipping the script in providing less of the blissful soundscapes and offering more of the cathartic, almost-boulder crushing wall of sound. Who knows when the official recording of “feverfew” will officially come out but only time will tell as the 2020s favorite local act gears for a new album slated to release very soon. -Elijah P. 

            7.) O $IDE MAFIA – 20 DEEP

            Malate’s O $ide Mafia are turning the game on its head with “20 DEEP” – a raging hot single about not giving a rat’s ass about the game, but rather a crash course on dominating the game themselves. Cashman’s unbothered presence gives the track its well deserved virality and Gee and Madman the much needed sturdy disses in the track. There’s no turning back by the time the first two lines hit you like a brick wall at full speed. There’s much more to decipher in here but listeners would rather let themselves sink in the moment and lose their shit in the moshpit -Elijah P.

            6.) Andrea Obscura – Can I Try Again?

            If there are late millennial woes, then Andrea Obscura made a song for this generation’s crisis of what have you’s. Laced with the feelings of doubt and indie folk’s earnest backbone, Andrea shows what it means to become an aging adult, balancing gleeful melodies and tuneful melancholy. Andrea Obscura made it more effective for 20-somethings to achieve greater and more potent songs with “Can I Try Again?”. -Elijah P. 

            5.) Goon Lagoon – Machine Gun

            One of Elv8 Me L8r’s alt-rock cornerstones has blessed us this year with probably their most off-kilter song yet, ‘Machine Gun’. A progressively explosive track that starts off laid-back— almost like a slacker rock anthem with lo-fi textures— before abruptly transitioning into a cacophony of grunge riffs and harsh vocals, and going full circle with the outro as the dust settles. For how well ‘Machine Gun’ mimics such a chaotic scenario, ‘Ticking Time Bomb’ would have been another apt name for it. -Nikolai Dineros

            4.) MATOKI – Strawberry Girl


            In Matoki’s cloudy sphere of wafting dream pop feedback and melodies, ‘Strawberry Girl’ brings a smear of sweetness into the air. It takes you into that breeze, allowing the mind to be swept away from the driving grooves of the bass and drums, the glinting synths, and the vocals that emphasize the curious need for connection towards the girl and her knowledge of the obscure and the melancholy. It encapsulates the glow of those who bring a unique sight to one’s own eye, and in that essence, MATOKI definitely presents it on their own bright scope. -Louis Pelingen

            3.) One Click Straight – MRT

            Evoking the sound of whispered melodies and crisp drum production, “MRT” is an honest and sentimental track bringing unorthodox guitar playing and warm vocals. The track subverted people’s expectations of One Click Straight’s music, showcasing the band’s sympathetic lyricism making it a ‘down to the core type’ communal experience. -Sab Aguirre

            2.) Nateman x CK YG x Realest Cram – Akala Mo Ata

            It goes without saying, “Akala Mo Ata” is the track that started a massive wave in the hip-hop scene. They’ve created earth-shattering headlines and discussion about the current state of hip-hop, but rather engaging in “discourse”, Nateman, CK YG and Realest Cram have no time for it, but rather they’d talk smack and walk the walk on whoever challenges them, and it is effective at all fronts no matter which angle you look at it. 

            It is undeniable how Nateman, CK YG and Realest Cram went on to make a career of themselves after this collaboration. A highlight of the year and an influential track in the near future, “Akala Mo Ata” shook the scene in more ways than one. From its drill roots to the posse music video, the track is a true blue definition of a complete package. -Elijah P.

            1. Zild – Dekada ‘70 

            Zild proved time and time again that he’s an artist in the truest form. Exploring themes outside personal stories and love, “Dekada 70” is an exhibition of dipping into social commentary and translating them into a 4-minute rhythmic anthem. The melody throughout the song complements the powerful guitar riffs accompanied by staggering synth mixes making the whole track cohesive with the storytelling. 

            But there’s more to storytelling than what “Dekada 70” shows in terms of pondering the fear and violence of the 70s. There’s also re-entering the current year where the singer-songwriter finds himself in: a repeat of the violence and impunity in the election of Marcos Jr.

            Wrapped in Zild’s distinguishable sound, the experiments have spelled a necessary evolutionary trajectory across the board and what he’s displayed on “Dekada 70” is important to mention throughout culture and history. -Sab Aguirre

          5. TFL PRESENTS: THE 20 BEST FILIPINO RELEASES OF 2022

            TFL PRESENTS: THE 20 BEST FILIPINO RELEASES OF 2022

            This year was full of surprises: whether you look at it from the perspective of an audience member lurking in the underground or a casual music fan who happens to stumble upon alternative music in the mainstream. The year 2022 was the year where we met all different kinds of folks from all walks of music life, the ecosystem that is the Philippine music; we experienced a lot of crossovers and other unexpected turns that would change the trajectory of the listener and the artist.

            From the sudden reunions of a high-profile 4-piece to the sudden rise of 2010s indie-sleaze affiliate genres to the co-optimization of genres from larger than life platforms like Tiktok and Facebook. There was an emergence of grunge and goth culture, thriving on the image of Robert Pattinson lurking over Gotham City and makeshift house venues in The South turning into a crying session. The folks of TFL are more than honored to present to you releases that define the year that is 2022.

            20.) Basalt Shrine – From Fiery Tongues

            Shortly after one successful and groundbreaking hardcore project, it’s almost hard to believe the Vivo Brothers could top their ABANGLUPA debut with a new venture. Enter Basalt Shrine, a doom metal quintet with a knack for the abstract that has quickly taken the metal scene aghast since its recent inception. Largely black metal inspired, their debut album From Fiery Tongues also incorporates stoner, sludge and drone elements in their dirge — and does so pretty damn well! The band has toured quite a few times this year, and you might have already seen their names pop up in underground venues. In any case, you should check them out! -Nikolai Dineros

            19.) O.I Research Partners – Speed Milk

            “Speed Milk” is one of the more gratifying releases to be released exclusively via physical merch by way of tricky YouTube search (if you look hard enough). What caught my surprise is the mere fact that this is more than a project, it more likely transcends the need of a streaming site. Its a living breathing project that consists of cowboys from outer space, the Wild Wild North-North of Nueva Ecija and many more interstellar worldbuilding. O.I Research Partners’ penchant for borderline desert psychedelia and tin can folk comes in waves in every soundbite and plugin pedal. -Elijah P.

            18.) Nullification – Kingdoms to Hovel

            This Laguna death metal outfit takes a lot of notes from its forefathers and applies all the right pointers into a full-length album. To say this album is formulaic OSDM would be a discredit to the effort in crafting a visceral record akin to the 1990s DM sound that manages to stay fresh by today’s standards. Tracks like ‘Negated Fields’, Sledgehammer’, and ‘Inside the Surreal’ are as gut-punching as any metal song should be yet so elegant in their presentation that you’d feel the destruction coming your way. -Nikolai Dineros

            17.) Chimera Mix – My Pet Rat

            Patorikku’s musical project is a thaumaturge, releasing projects with songs that are folded and squeezed with enough spark of creative experimentation within vintage, lo-fi, and psychedelic pop that it’s quite a marvel that he has put this enough projects already. He only blitzes through yet again with My Pet Rat, an EP with four tracks that continues to push himself even further to something incredible. Psychedelic pop with nuggets of lyrical eccentricities now dipped further into compositions that get even more ballistic and unhinged on every turn. His albums already ooze with dizzying compositions and instrumentation, but with this EP, it just shows that even the smallest doses can create a mind-dazzling splash. -Louis Pelingen

            16.) Mazerboy – Edge of the Bleak

            Guagua is a province that shouldn’t go unnoticed, especially for younger acts like Mazerboy who shuns every doubter of post-punk, psychedelic rock and alternative rock within imperial Manila. “Edge of the Bleak” is agitatingly catchy than it is dystopic – the project lingers in the mind of their listener – catapulting meteoric solos and textures, pummeling every indie band in the mainland today. -Elijah P.

            15.) <S>andwich – No Goodbyes

            On the surface, ‘No Goodbyes’ presented a spotlight on the social challenges brought by the pandemic, some were in the same dilemma during the pre-pandemic from biking around the Metro to the state of working from home. Tracks such as ‘Buhol Buhol’ and ‘Negatives’ are standouts that proved to be a self-fulfilling prophecy for the veteran band. It’s stacked with excellent guitar work and rhythm that will automatically remind you of Sandwich. The juxtaposition of the whole EP was delightful and ridiculous, leaving any listener wanting to bite for more. -Sab Aguirre

            14.) Polyphonic Vision – Sudden Pictures

            The otherwordly synth textures of Michaela Benedicto and Mario Consunji create a beautiful, blissful and groovy whirlwind of electronica. Polyphonic Vision’s first ever EP is, at parts dreamy and at other times, complex. The stems of “Sudden Pictures” are mosaic to the point where production create an unfolding image. The more these movements create itself, the more Polyphonic Vision’s music becomes a dancing image. Thus, conceiving one of the best electronica releases of the year -Elijah P.

            13.) Ligaya Escueta – Laughing in Milk

            15-year old indie rock prodigy Ligaya Escueta comes in many forms and eras in her debut full length album “Laughing in Milk”. In fact, the album continually rises in momentum and it finishes in a mush of feedback and fuzz, eventually manifesting her growth in this kind of songcraft in the long run. Even mentor Mikey Amistoso of Ciudad couldn’t resist in sessioning for her in live sets. That alone should be a testament as to how much everyone in her age should go out and check out adjacent acts everywhere. -Elijah P.

            12.) Party Pace – Nauseous

            The veteran quartet of Party Pace released a stellar introductory album with Nauseous featuring a slew of instrumental tracks that are easily the most enjoyable music to pair with work or play. The tracks are also a joy to watch live with the band members’ cohesive interplay on full effect. -Janlor Encarnacion

            11.) (N)onentities – Autonimbus

            From their profound way of capturing the human spirit through their lyrics to their way around punk music, NONENTITIES doesn’t beat around the bush. Their sophomore project Autonimbus takes a lot of philosophical turns, but one should not worry about being lost in the fray as the listening experience is as straightforward as it gets. A highly introspective and headbanging record critical of the realities of late-stage capitalism and its toll on people but never a cynical one. -Nikolai Dineros

            10.) TNG – gad

            This debut record was a long time coming for this Bulacan screamo band that has kept their presence known in circles outstretching their hometown’s scene, which is a testament to how powerful the internet and word of mouth can be — if utilized correctly — in bringing in new listeners until there’s a whole community of them waiting in anticipation for a full-length release. ‘gad’ is a love letter to the emo sound and philosophy — a rough, melancholic opus to the emotions running wild piercing through your speakers. Unapologetically screamo, much like the lyrics’ painfully raw feelings. In that same vein, ‘gad’ is also a love letter to TNG’s fans — the emos at the peripheries of the sad boy/sad girl music fans in this new age. Every live performance of TNG is a gathering of (pre-)Tumblr scene kids who are, to this day, waiting to feel that same high. -Nikolai Dineros

            9.) Spacedog Spacecat – Fuzz Sounds

            The brainchild of RJ Mabilin and Jam Lorenzo has given birth to a group of respected indie musicians culminating in an album and vinyl with a collection of songs paying homage to the fuzz-driven music they listen to sprinkled with boy-girl vocals that cut through the noise as well as an exploration of sound distinctly different from all the bands they have come from.

            8.) BINI – Feel Good

            Nation’s girl group BINI has been introducing fresh sounds to the cutthroat rise of P-Pop. Coming from the success of their debut album ‘Born To Win’, ‘Feel Good’ is a 5-track vocal wonder highlighting the colors of BINI. The love song ‘Lagi’ is undeniably unforgettable and was written perfectly for the group. The whole EP translates into a journey to new experiences delivering the slickest bubble pop songs around. -Sab Aguirre

            7.) SHNTI – ELMNT

            Confidence can come a long way, and yet SHNTI comes off fully formed in her debut EP. Her growth as an artist manifested through with ELMNT, where her vocal and writing talents shone brightly as she maneuvers through the hazy and bouncy production with to her liquid presence on the microphone and her keen sense of playful enthusiasm. This release also showcases a balancing point for SHNTI, where she may come off flashy and charmed in a relatable oddball manner, but she doesn’t let go of her introspection towards herself and towards other people along the way. ELMNT puts her in a place where her role as an artist continues to gleam with great aplomb, and it’s just only the beginning for whatever her light will take her to greater heights. -Louis Pelingen

            6.) SUPAFLY – BAKASAKALI

            Armed with wit, double-time flows, high grade melodicism and a heart for the game, Supafly shows their virtuosity through rap and vivid storytelling. The album/EP format in hip-hop today is making a comeback. With Shanti Dope’s mini-album and SHNTI’s debut EP making waves for their uncompromising pattern in beat switches and agile workload of demos, loosies, singles and music videos. Greenhouse Records’ very own Supafl,y amplifies the experience, putting this giant foot of the culture forward for full length material. -Elijah P.

            5.) (formerly Maryknoll) – It Sounds Just Like You

            Internet darlings (formerly Maryknoll) formally stamp their IRL existence in streaming platforms with It Sounds Just Like You! featuring all their previously released singles for your everyone’s year-end Wrapped enjoyment. -Janlor Encarnacion

            4.) JRLDM – Mood Swings

            The local hip-hop scene is facing yet another enlightenment period, both at a braggadacio and at a mental physique “renaissance” sense as well. In JRLDM’s astonishing debut label full length record, you’re bound to take a nose dive more on the latter; traveling through his psyche, defying expectations with amazing beat selection and the neat production palette that compliments’ the main star’s husky, smooth and sinister voice, all at once. -Elijah P.

            3.) Ruru – Glorious Miscellanea

            Fragments of memory are difficult to parse through, but Ruru seems to flip through those fragments just fine. This album is a collage of fleeting moments of life that goes through numbness, disconnection, and somber solace in whatever Ruru is going through at the time. She brushes through these moments with polish and lushness that only makes those memories less painful and more calming to look into as the buoyant array of woodwinds and synths amidst palpable grooves create such a warm embrace in her indie pop zone. It’s a leap that Ruru falls on greatly, merging separate memories into one holistic picture. -Louis Pelingen

            2.) Blaster & The Celestial Klowns – My Kosmik Island Disk

            As excited as we already were for the release of Blaster Silonga’s solo debut album, we were still surprised by how exceptional it turned out to be. This melting pot of retrofuturistic OPM odyssey is the brainchild of this young singer-songwriter with a chip on his shoulder. From the production quality of each song to how catchy the melodies are, My Kosmik Island Disk checks every mark in making a successful project. But even with the leverage of success on his hands, this wasn’t the only thing he has got going for on his debut album. Blaster continuously sets new ambitions after each successful take, thus making for an exciting listen even after several repeats. For one, we don’t think we’d have a track with as much bombast as HUWAG MABAHALA if they just came up with a catchy synth riff and one infectious bass line and called it a day. It’d still be a great track, no doubt, but they knew they had to go all the way with the sick outro, complete with a long and glitzy synth passage and a fiery guitar solo to boot. There are a lot of instances where Blaster goes full sensory overload with the mix in the album. But that is a good thing because Blaster has mastered in this album the art of maximalism. -Nikolai Dineros

            1.) ena mori – “DON’T BLAME THE WILD ONE!”

            “DON’T BLAME THE WILD ONE!” is a winning row on a ‘best of 2022 releases’ bingo card. Vocal gallops over crushed mallets of kick drums and time reversed-ocean-wave synths; lyrical phrases calculated over every left turn in the production and lyrics exploring the mysticism of love? All accounted for in the 10-track album. “DON’T BLAME THE WILD ONE!” is a no-skips selection of singles and an impactful listen from start to finish. ‘VIVID’ and ‘SOS’ are some of the best-produced recordings this year and electronic pop artist Ena Mori is setting the standard by asserting pop dominance against the post-Sarah G’s Tala pop-sphere. If I were to bet on any artist, I’d put my money on Ena Mori. -Corgi Aguirre