AT A GLANCE
“U-Belt” by Jan Roberts definitely fits the bill with the soothing and relaxed sounds of this acoustic guitar driven tune.
What is the world coming to? One doesn't have to look far to know that social media is friggin' messed up or rather, messed us all up. But this is not about that, contrary, this is about some senti music to slow down to.
“U-Belt” by Jan Roberts definitely fits the bill with the soothing and relaxed sounds of this acoustic guitar driven tune. We know little about Jan Roberts except that this 23-year-old singer-songwriter hails from Albay and that he’s been quietly releasing his songs since 2021.
So far, JR has put out six singles from 2021’s “Binibini” to his latest (actually seven including his recent yule themed song). There’s a sense of quiet beauty in the singer’s minimalist approach. It’s usually just his acoustic guitar and smidgen of synths to add some melancholy atmosphere about his songs. Jan Roberts’ voice is not even exceptional but that’s not a put down mind you. Because what he lacks in vocal flash he makes up for in the overall vibe that his songs deliver.
And his songs “Sagip” and “Hirap Kalimutan” are definitely singer-songwriter tunes that make you want to slow down and listen to what he’s crooning about, which in this case, is about sticking by your person and of precarious relations respectively. So far his listeners have responded handsomely to his music. These two in particular have so far garnered about 20 million streams on one platform alone.
Then there’s Jan Roberts’ lyrics. Here’s a sample in “Hirap Kalimutan” where he writes: “Dapithapon, naglalakad ako mag-isa / ‘Di upang makatipid, ngunit para ako’y makapag-isip-isip / Inihagis ang bato at panooring lumubog ito hanggang sa pinakailalim / Habang hinayaan ang sariling malunod sa lungkot.” Quiet beauty indeed. Besides the new single “U-belt” other hotspots in Jan Roberts’ catalog include the excellent “Escolta” which features the equally superb voice of a certain singer called Tangi.
Just recently, we featured singer-songwriter Amiel Sol and his latest single “Sa Bawat Sandali” in this column. Since then, “Bawat Sandali” has racked up the streams and has so far, more than 8 million listens (in one platform alone) since it was released more than a month ago. Just like Jan Roberts, Amiel Sol has been connecting with wistful sounding, acoustic guitar-flavored minimalist tunes. The more than 8 million stream surge by Amiel Sol with “Sa Bawat Sandali” is his best performing moment at the streaming platforms so far. His 2023 song “Ikaw Lang Patutunguhan” has racked up more than 11 million streams but spread over more than a year.
With Amiel Sol and Jan Roberts enjoying significant streams that go beyond tens of millions, it’s safe to say that there’s a surging senti-core movement currently happening in Pinoy pop. Other movers include Arthur Miguel, EJ De Perio, Dana Paulene and Liel to name a few. The more the merrier as they say, or should it be the more the senti-er?
Other hotspots from this past weekend’s releases include Sugarcane with “Tanging Ikaw.” The self-described folk-pop sextet makes for a swinging mid-tempo tune that’s equal parts yearning and playful. Sugarcane includes Cedric Angeles on vocals and guitars, Carl Guerzon on bass, Ronamae Tiñola on flute, Frain Reyes on lead guitars, Luis Beato on keyboards and Froilan Bautista on drums.
Modern-day troubadour Johnoy Danao returns with a playful new song in “Magkasama.” Lively, whimsical or just call it what you want, this upbeat and jazzy tune that features Project Yazz – the Pinoy jazz group that includes Faye Yupano, Bergan Nuñez, Ken Castillo, Lui Tan and Jacques Dufourt- brings some spot-on but playful musicianship (those brass and lead guitar) to Danao’s musings and ‘swabe’ delivery.
One last thing, remember that when the noise gets to be too much. you always have the option of turning it off.
