First impressions might not be everything, but electronic soul duo Bajula shows inimitable promise with the release of their debut single “Catching You” a few months ago. The irresistible slow jam, whose retro-inspired R&B shows no signs of withering away, received consistent airplay at Jam 88.3 for weeks, and even gained traction online—thanks to its hilarious music video and sultry, infectious vibe. Two months after the maiden song became available on various streaming platforms, Alvin “Vertigo” Guanlao and Jolo “Frazier” Juatco return with a follow-up track that blends bedroom R&B/pop confessionals with homemade instrumentation. Their sophomore single “Bad Man” is...

Filipino singer-songwriter Jarlo Bâse is ready to carve his own lane in the music industry with the release of “Kalapati,” his first official single under Sony Music Philippines. Recorded at Sonic State Audio, “Kalapati” doesn’t sound like a total diversion from his previous releases, but it has a more pristine quality to it as far as production is concerned. The laid-back tune finds the promising newcomer embracing a lighthearted but soulful direction while remaining adept in making accessible R&B/pop music that yields ecstatic returns. Lyrically, the song deals about “loving someone for reasons that actually matter,” and as Jarlo Bâse...

Singapore-based Indonesian-American artist lullaboy rings in the new year with his debut compilation album, chapters of you—released independently and available now on all major digital streaming platforms. The record comes with two new songs: “deja vu” and “open up.”After being rejected by countless labels, lullaboy decided to take matters into his own hands across 2021, releasing a song every month for the whole year. Each song explored different perspectives around a central theme of discovering what love means, in all its different shapes and forms. With his storybook lyricisms and genuine, heartwarming vocals, it didn’t take long for fans around...

J-Pop queen Hikaru Utada makes an impactful return with the digital release of her eighth studio album, Bad Mode on January 19, Wednesday—the same date as her birthday.  Delivering yet another pop masterpiece with sophisticated edge, the global superstar solidifies her iconic status with a string of envelope-pushing jams such as “One Last Kiss,” the theme song to EVANGELION:3.0+1.0 THRICE UPON A TIME; “PINK BLOOD,” the soundtrack to anime drama To Your Eternity; and “Face My Fears,” which was written and produced by Hikaru Utada alongside chart-topping producers Skrillex and Poo Bear—to name a few. Utada’s new record contains four bonus tracks and...

Filipino pop supergroup SB19 is welcoming 2022 with an exclusive merch line named after their record-breaking EP, Pagsibol.   The official Pagsibol merchandise features an assortment of designs heavily referenced by the emerging global stars’ chart-topping songs, as well as their corresponding videos and artwork.    Proudly made in the Philippines, the premium merch promises a ‘full fan experience’ with its three main collections: What? Collection, which includes an Iron-On Patch and Enamel Pin as inspired by the critically acclaimed first single; MAPA Collection, which includes a bundled T-shirt and a collectible photocard, handmade resin keychain, along with its own...