AT A GLANCE
Starting with Regine Velasquez-Alcasid who just released a new single over the weekend with “Someday.” The song, of course, is the early aughts breakthrough hit single for a certain singer named Nina.
Please don’t take this week’s title seriously. Besides being one of those one-liner phrases annoying more than trying-hard funny or pa-cute, it’s grammatically redundant and would exasperate any editor worth their salt.
But it does fall in nicely with this week’s theme as we see some important figures in music releasing new material after some absence from the scene.
Starting with Regine Velasquez-Alcasid who just released a new single over the weekend with “Someday.” The song, of course, is the early aughts breakthrough hit single for a certain singer named Nina.
Tough song to cover for sure as Nina’s no pushover vocalist-singer-performer. But this is Ate Reg we’re talking about here. And those familiar with her career know that she has a knack for turning songs into her own. And this time around is no different. RVA’s “Someday” still retains its inherent R&B flavor and overall ballad feel. Arrangement-wise, “Someday” added a (faux) string section and a not-in-the-way band arrangement that lends RAV’s version a grander presence compared to Nina’s original soul-baring solo voice and piano take.
And don’t look for vocal histrionics here, as RVA is all about serving the song, wherein she starts almost in whisper mode and gradually builds up. Of course, RAV’s “whisper” packs a few decades' worth of technique and emotion-packed delivery that few of us mortals could ever hope to muster. This is to say that RVA picks her moment, and the most enthusiastic fan would approve and say it’s nothing short of excellent.
Truth be told, Regine Velasquez has been busy releasing new music for the department lately. Starting last February with the first-rate late 90’s R&B feels “Eyes Only For Me” collaboration with Jay R. A couple more singles followed suit, including the cover of Paramore’s “The Only Exception,” and notables like the must-listen “Ulit Ulit,” the lullaby-like and lifting “Di Sinasadya,” and the Lavender Fields theme “Maskara” duet with Ogie Alcasid released early September.
In the R&B and Pinoy rap music front, Just Hush released the slow-grooving and ambient “LONTA.” Just Hush fans aching for a return to “Maikee’s Letter” era type of sounds but have to support Just Hush’s predilection for airy, trippy, almost contrapuntal melodies and beats that he has been churning out of late, “LONTA” included. Soft-spoken and reserved, Just Hush has always been R&B’s most eccentric; naturally, he comes out in his music.
Speaking of R&B, not long ago, Thyro Alfaro was writing (on his own or co-writing) hits such as “Kilometro,” “Randomantic,” “Para-Paraan” and “Triangulo.” So it’s a big deal that Thyro is back with his first single since 2021’s “Bagong Buhay Vol.1” album. Thyro returns with upbeat and swinging “Fighting For You,” a perky R&B tune and chill grooving new song that sees Thyro back to basics, writing catchy lyrics about love and holding on, and incorporating the words ‘I do” as a melodic riff like only Thyro can within the context of a catchy R&B tune. Produced by Thyro for his Diwang Records label, “Fighting For You” also includes JP Bacallan, heard here at the kickoff, grooving and sharing verses with the ace songwriter.
Also back is KZ Tandingan with a superb pop-rocker in “Toyo” (a’la Pink), Shanti Dope with “Di Iniwanan,” as well as The Juans, SunKissed Lola, Dilaw, and more came out with new music just this past week.
So yeah, call it anything you want, but don’t label it a comeback. They never went away anyway.
