Tag: Track Review

  • TRACK REVIEW: ok bouquet – Internet

    TRACK REVIEW: ok bouquet – Internet

    Written by Noelle Alarcon

    ok bouquet is a quartet hailing from Quezon City, proclaiming themselves as “Cubao’s finest pretty bois [sic].” Their debut track, “Internet,” oozes with punchy energy and lighthearted longing that begins to gnaw at the heart if you start to think about it too much. Truly, the three minutes and 54 seconds of their musings are the perfect soundtrack to strolling around Cubao with someone who makes you feel a little too giddy.

    The track is hinged on jangly, power pop-based guitars that are fueled and moved forward by snare-heavy, open-handed drum beats. There’s a post-pandemic, Gen Z lilt to the roughness of late 1990s indie rock it’s emulating that’s been recreated and taken time and time again; ok bouquet show great proficiency in reflecting their influences and their specific flavor. But perhaps this mastery gets a little too on the nose, at times, the track is uncertain whether it will stay in the territory of simulacrum or novelty.

    In the current internet atmosphere that’s laden with references to “manic pixie dream girls” and being mysteriously eccentric at Cubao Expo, it seems like the four-piece managed to capture this exact landscape through sound—whether it be the wisps of cigarette smoke curling into the night or crazy hair colors dotting the horizon. This includes the vulnerability that lies in the core of these performances of identity: “But can I truly fit in your world?” sings their vocalist, Dan Monreal.

    Sure, it’s a one-sided track from the perspective of the boy, and perhaps a bit too self-indulgent at times. However, it is redeemed by the naïveté and hunger for connection that stamp this song with traces of nostalgia. It’s fun, vibrant, and refreshingly cathartic to be dizzied by infatuation this intense. The band has a wider horizon to spread their wings into once they trace their next steps from this point of youthful decadence.

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  • TRACK REVIEW: NEW LORE – SUBSTACK GIRL

    TRACK REVIEW: NEW LORE – SUBSTACK GIRL

    Written by Faye Allego

    Once known as No Lore (and no, not because they lacked one), members and visual artists Tita Halaman, Kim Escalona, and Carole Lantican begun crafting their audio framework that gained recognition for entry at the 36th AWIT awards and then reintroduced themselves as NEW LORE in late 2024 where they amped up their vibrancy and utilised every facet of multimedia to showcase their art — especially upon the release of their debut album, Grief Cake. 

    In their latest 2026 single, “Substack Girl,” the tools to a catchy post-breakup song are definitely there; the muffled instrumentals in the first twelve seconds immediately place the listener into a flashback-esque soundscape and looming afterthoughts during the “scheming” period of a breakup. 

    However, lyrics that circle around that question of “do you still…?” land steep, surface-level, and flat. The song fixates on specific habits that have even been harmfully labelled as “performative” such as going to gigs, reading obscure literature, digging through ukayans; “And are you still A gig goer? Art fair lover? Film enjoyer? Thrift store lover Vinyl seeker? Poetry reader? Soul Admirer Joybaiter?” it begs the question: is this just a checklist of interests turned into buzzwords? Though it’s light-hearted, it’s also reductionist toward real parts of someone’s identity. 

    To reiterate, sonically, the track does almost everything right. It is indeed catchy, cleanly mastered, and even performs well in relaxing. To add, listening to this track in low-stress environments is surely fun and enjoyable; it can even be what’s now called reaching a “flow state.” Even the music video for “Substack Girl” is quite mellow. It’s the three-piece switching seats for the duration of the track, symbolizing the tranquillity found in the curiosity that the lyrics attempt to highlight.

    Of course, people wonder about their exes even through a rose-colored lens or through vibrant colors similar to that of PVC film– the song is very real when it comes to breakup talk, as the listener, it prompts wandering and questioning whether or not an ex thinks about their former lover… but at the same time, as the colors mix and turn grey after a few rounds of listening to the track… does it matter if an ex is thinking about us while reading poetry or flipping through vinyl?

     “Substack Girl” is a feel-good track, and New Lore’s discography is certainly one to keep an eye out for. Though they are not the first to utilize the commodification of personality and art to garner interest, they should refrain from that notion if they want to maintain relevance; like breakups, negative attitudes towards identity must learn to eventually fade away. Perhaps New Lore has breakup songs mastered– may they view introspection through art more in depth next time. 

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  • TRACK REVIEW: DANTE – Yosi

    TRACK REVIEW: DANTE – Yosi

    Written by Louis Pelingen

    DANTE’s debut single plays things straightforwardly cool. His vocal theatrics sound natural amidst this brand of pop rock, all with flashy guitars, bright keys, and choppy effects that are placed organically within the song. Everything plays perfectly in portraying affection for someone that just can’t slip off his fingers, like smoke that keeps following him. A presence that never fails to capture his attention.

    While “Yosi” lays out a familiar formula – especially in the OPM circuit – that DANTE definitely plays into, there is enough potency in his performance and production to highlight. This ends up becoming a solid introduction to his overall musicianship, where the real test will come later. For now, this is a cigar worth taking, where you just feel the first puff of smoke before you eventually head out to find more.

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  • TRACK REVIEW: cosmic suns – Ethereal

    TRACK REVIEW: cosmic suns – Ethereal

    Written by Aly Maaño

    How does one hold on to a moment that’s almost palpable but fleeting? How does one express awe in the face of something ethereal? Sometimes, words hold no meaning when the otherworldly presents itself in forms that make you hold your breath. Hailing from Davao, cosmic suns attempt to express these intangible feelings in their debut single, “Ethereal.”

    In the world of shoegaze, pedals are tools for creating sensations that go beyond hearing. Cosmic suns know just how manipulate fuzz to achieve textured riffs that explode into microcosms of desire, longing, and turmoil. Their distorted guitars swirl and bend with other instruments while dreamy and distant vocals orbit around them like an invisible knot — connecting each conjured world into a single hazy soundscape. With these elements, “Ethereal” remains loyal to the genre. However, it finds itself treading into skramz territory as the chorus breaks into agonizing screams. But hearing a vocalist desperately screaming in a shoegaze track doesn’t break through the expansive wall of noise but merely complements its obscurity. Drenched in lush reverb and delay, the screams add a haunting effect that only intensifies the heavy emotions the song is channeling. When layered with clean vocals, the result is as visceral as a memory from years ago that leaves a lump in one’s throat. At this point, there’s no need to interpret; we must surrender willfully to the auditory frenzy.

    Cosmic suns may still be protostars in the vast shoegaze universe, but they already formed the core of their sound in “Ethereal.” In their evolutionary stage, will they continue redefining the genre’s blueprint? For now, we can only watch as they traverse celestial distances one heavenly song at a time.

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  • TRACK REVIEW: inanotherworld – airfrying chicken nuggets for 10 minutes at 200°C

    TRACK REVIEW: inanotherworld – airfrying chicken nuggets for 10 minutes at 200°C

    Written by Aly Maaño

    The beginning of the year is programmed for a personal reset. People eagerly work on their resolutions or, at least, plan the next step. But it’s not always how it’s set out to be. Some are still reflecting on the past year, revisiting old wounds to process what needs to be left behind. inanotherworld’s latest single, “airfrying chicken nuggets for 10 minutes at 200°C,” lets us linger in this period of reflection before release. 

    This five-minute track blends the heavier sound of shoegaze with the slacker tempo and somber composition of slowcore to capture the dissonance of existing in a world that rewards constant movement over stillness. It starts with a chaotic frenzy of drums, pedal distortions, and glitchy frequencies that seem to echo an initial frustration. But it’s nothing that a long walk can’t subdue. This is what the first half of the song feels like. A long walk around the city after coming back from school or work after the holidays. The gloomy tone of the guitars pulls the listener out of their reality to observe what lies beyond the concrete jungle and urban sprawl. Even with melodies meant to evoke a melancholic mood, the track ironically inspires the listener to romanticize life and find serenity amidst the chaos. With beautiful, ghostly vocals accompanying sparse instrumentation, the experience is stretched out into a hundred blissful moments. As seen in the track’s cover art, snippets of the cityscape feel like a much-needed pause to take everything in.

    By the second half, “airfrying chicken nuggets for 10 minutes at 200°C” unfurls into a euphoric outburst, bringing banging snares and heavier riffs forward. During this prolonged sequence, a sense of comfort is instilled through sound rather than emotional lyricism. The repetition of downbeat melodies is meditative, healing almost. In this track, inanotherworld morphs common themes of slowcore — defeatism and somber slow burns — into a calm renewal. It turns a normal evening walk into an introspection while everything else moves in linear time.

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  • TRACK REVIEW: Asian Panganay – Disconnection Notice

    TRACK REVIEW: Asian Panganay – Disconnection Notice

    Written by JK Caray

    Asian Panganay’s debut single, ‘Disconnection Notice, ‘ talks about Filipino family dynamics in an intimate, sobering way, centering on the panganay’s perspectives. As their band name suggests, Asian Panganay is an all-asian, all-Panganay, all-girls quintet. This common attribute allows them to have the personal edge that pops out of their debut single.

    Right off the bat, ‘Disconnection Notice’ starts strong and hollow, even vacant, though not in a bad way. A drum beat dragging itself on and simple riffs being fed through delay pedals give a sense of motion without the drive that actually brings it to life. This gives the song more dimensions in how it tackles the subject matter. The line “I don’t have anything to say/You never hear me anyway” distills all those years of neglect, accompanied by vocals that draw the line between ache and exhaustion. In a way, it acts as a parallel to the times when eldest daughters are expected to keep carrying on, even as fatigue eats them inside.

    For such a bold entry, the song has already generated a brand that audiences can look forward to. This can either be a pro or a con, depending on whether the band leans into it or decides to switch it up for their upcoming releases. For now, releasing ‘Disconnection Notice’ as their debut single was a necessary move to solidify the band’s striking presence in the current scene.

    Now that they’ve given a voice to the unheard heroes of a Filipino family, where will Asian Panganay steer the ship next?

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  • TRACK REVIEW: A Piloto – Asphyxia

    TRACK REVIEW: A Piloto – Asphyxia

    Written by Louis Pelingen

    A Piloto’s comeback song since the past two years immediately wrestles with a shocking surprise splattered through his writing: an old friend just died near his neighborhood. The chills that he encounters through that information fill his entire nerves, wracking him with a desperate plea for connection that turns into solemn avoidance at the end. It’s emotionally haphazard that A Piloto expresses well, with his raw vocals just storming through all that tense situation.

    The frigid indie rock spirit allows “Asphyxia” to rhythmically heave, as the grooves just charge through with shaky guitar maneuvers that explode onto the chorus. It never loses its raucous flair from the start, up till its very ending. Foggy ambience and gentle guitar atmospherics now give enough space for A Piloto. He now gets to simmer what has come to pass, calmly taking his time to breathe before moving onwards, even with the ache still weighing on his shoulders.

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  • TRACK REVIEW: mrt – all roads lead to cubao (or wherever my grave may be instead)

    TRACK REVIEW: mrt – all roads lead to cubao (or wherever my grave may be instead)

    Written by Louis Pelingen

    What would inevitably become an interesting talking point later down the line is how the next generation – in this case, the Gen Alphas – will eventually carve their paths through a lot of the music spaces thriving right now. While it is early to say how they will respond and evolve past the local indie and mainstream music zeitgeists, observing how they’d touch upon the sounds and tones to assess their craft is enough to look into. At least for the time being.

    Case in point, the past few releases that 15 year old mrt has released last year immediately pull a lot of the alternative rock and screamo influences – think acts like Sintasan, North Sentinel, and Walktrip – that swerved into lo-fi, raw fidelities. Those two EPs – ‘hermosa’ and ‘bokeh’ – certainly tiptoed towards those tones, from mrt’s attempts to sing and scream across shambling production, to post-breakup wallowing that is peppered across his lyrics.

    Now, what “all roads lead to cubao (or wherever my grave may be instead)” does is sharpen his melodic instincts amidst an exercise in dynamics. It starts off with a lilting guitar passage contrasted with his composed screams, then the song breaks out into fuzzed-out shoegaze while mrt leans more on moodier singing. It effectively reinforces the emo-tinged emptiness that is buried in this track.

    All in all, mrt still has ways to go before he eventually hammers down the strengths in his songcrafting, yet the intrigue to do a bit more in this song does show some promise. The projects that he has currently pulled off might not blow things away, especially with how the alt-rock and hardcore scenes have only developed into fascinating nooks and crannies; there’s nothing wrong with testing things out. At the very least, he’s familiarizing himself by trying, and that’s good enough for now.

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  • TRACK REVIEW: Addy Pantig – Sandstorm

    TRACK REVIEW: Addy Pantig – Sandstorm

    Written by Rory Marshall

    Addy Pantig heeds the listener with one thing: a warning. “Sandstorm” is an admonition explored through metaphor, showcasing the pitfalls of lost time, delivered through soulful blues rock, and with this being her debut single, it’s as gutsy as it is dramatic.

    Sandstorm paints a picture of gravitas and intensity, each line like a brush stroke to the canvas. The song is set in a room that’s slowly filling up with sand, and a girl, frozen in fear, realizes it’s too late. Addy has a knack for narrative, and her lyrics are a testament to that. Her “show, don’t tell” method of songwriting set the scene so well, and because of that, the experience lof istening to the track is nothing short of cinematic. The anxiety that comes with time running out rings through in her words and is further highlighted with the dramatic instrumental.

    Starting slowly with a steady acoustic guitar and vocals, with added elements joining in the setup as each bar progresses: an eerie violin, the muted drums, and the bass to carry the whole track, as if each new instrument is another grain of sand filling up the room. Then the build-up comes to fruition in the chorus, crashing down like a sudden moment of realization. The blues rock style complements the storytelling style of the lyrics well, which is prominent in blues.

    “Sandstorm” is an exemplary showcase of the magic she weaves into the music she has a hand in: Addy’s lyrics that bring with them storytelling and narrative, paired with the quiet yet intense passion that gilds her vocal performance. We’ve seen elements like this in her past work in different projects, and it’s refreshing to hear them still standing strong in her solo work. This track is the first of hopefully many, and will no doubt lay a great foundation for any tracks she releases in the future.

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  • TRACK REVIEW: Kumare Harvey – VILLAIN

    TRACK REVIEW: Kumare Harvey – VILLAIN

    Written by Louis Pelingen

    After years of hosting in queer circles as well as frequently featuring on certain songs across other artists’ projects, Kumare Harvey’s debut single, ‘VILLAIN,’ is nothing short of astute. Across the neptunes-esque beat with burly guitars adding edge to his bars, Kumare Harvey lets everyone know first and foremost that he’s not one to be played around. He takes down those who try to talk shit and villainize him, but can only go so far as saying it online. He never softens down throughout; his attitude remains confident all across.

    Of course, it’s through Kumare Harvey’s performance that sells such a bombastic song, with a clear-cut delivery, an efficient flow, and a swaggering energy that struts with ease. His overall magnetic presence gives the song its glorious punches, especially to those who might try to pull him downwards and fail in miserable fashion. Haters gonna hate, as they all say.

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