Published January 23, 2023, 7:12 AM
Local music is booming, and here’s a sampling of the latest from newbies to rappers, R&B rap-singers and popsters.
Starting with Matt Wilson who makes his debut as a Wild Dream Records music artist with the wonderful sounding new song titled “Alitaptap.” Minimalist, wistful, yet modern sounding at the same time, “Alitaptap” is the perfect jump off point for listeners into the music of alt-pop singer-songwriter Matt Wilson.
Modern-day soulster and R&B singer-songwriter Cean Jr. brings out a vibey soul original on his new song “Hirap O Sarap.” Cean Jr. puts to music his own experience of loving someone and the result is this soulful ballad about love and relationships for ‘better or worse.’
It’s R&B and rap on a new three-way song collaboration titled “Hin.” This new and original bop features rising rappers/singers Krisostomo, Goonbogart and Jessie Dave and is veritable word flow bonanza wrapped in city pop grooves.
Celine Laroza is a sweet-sounding singer-songwriter behind the acoustic flavored “Muntik Lang.” Simplified and devoid of studio gimmickry, Celine relies on her song’s inherent catchiness to get her point across as she sings about the what-could’ve-been of a relationship. Then there’s the acoustic pop flavored “Pang-gabi” which forms part of the back-to-back singles from Laroza. This song about a love that’s undecided and the confusion it brings, wrapped in barebones acoustic flavored pop, is the aesthetic of this talented pop singer.
Pusakalye releases the fine-sounding new single titled “Baka Pwede.” Pusakalye changes its tact and stops chasing tired sounding “hugot songs” for a more energetic, go-getter of a song in this upbeat pop rocker that sounds a lot more fitting for their name, skills and if it continues, a pop rock sound they can call their own.
Sibling music act Zach x Zeph tries to branch out into dance music via their new single titled “Won’t Stop.” According to the singer-songwriters, the song is “about the adoration of someone you like and the appreciation of all the wonderful feelings that seeing that person triggers in you.” That basically describes the feeling this song conjures, with its positivity and the upbeat dance club feels it manages to bottle in this song.
Three main men from viral rap group HOOD 047 namely J emm Dahon, King Lheanard and Kushin (Richard OIamit) collaborate on a J Emm Dahon-produced track titled “Space Jam.” This bouncy, trap-beat driven number is all about rising above in life through pursuing love and passion. Written by J emm, KL and Kushin, this is a warm up for an upcoming EP that will soon drop.
Rap music artist Ace Cirera makes his Viva Records solo debut via the flowing and lyrical bop titled “Sagot Kita.” Ace Cirera is a Pinoy rap music scene vet and is associated with acts such as Because and NexxFriday. He’s also one-fourth of the rap collective Flow Minister. Ace Cirera gets some assistance from R&B singer Yzkk who gets to sing the hook chorus vocals behind Ace Cirera’s blunt rap bursts.
New Vivamax movie “Panibugho” a new original Movie featuring Angela Morena, Stephanie Raz, Mikaela Raz, Kiko Estrada, Benz Sangalang and directed by Iar Arondaing features two popular music acts in the Pinoy music scene today. Starting with Bandang Lapis’ emotional brand of pop rock with “Pagsisisi.” Then there’s Lyca Gairanod whose previously released single, the endearing ballad “Malapit Na Akong Mahulog Sa Iyo” lends some sonic color for the tryst-and-turns of this new movie.
