Doja Cat releases fourth studio album, Scarlet

Photo Credit: Jacob Webster 

GRAMMY Award-winning global superstar Doja Cat releases her new fourth studio album, “Scarlet” today via Kemosabe Records / RCA Records. In addition, Doja Cat dropped the music video for her new track off the album, “Agora Hills”. The music video was shot in Pomona, CA, and Koreatown in Los Angeles, CA and directed by Hannah Lux Davis (Ariana Grande / Nicki Minaj) and Doja Cat.

Listen here

Throughout the week, a replica of “Scarlet” popped up at different locations across the U.S. just before the album dropped today  – check out images of the Scarlet’s replica HERE. At each location, there was a QR code for fans to use and get an exclusive first listen to Doja Cat’s new record.

Filipino alt-rock visionary Rico Blanco releases stirring synth-pop track “Palibot libot”

The subdued but sophisticated composition comes from a place of earnestness rather than merely trend-hopping

Rico Blanco reflects on the uncertainty that thrives between friendship and relationship in his new single “Palibot libot,” out today via Sony Music Entertainment.

According to the award-winning Filipino artist, the track was inspired by one of the characters in a series that he filmed in La Union recently.

With its storytelling “anchored precariously on someone’s steadfast devotion,” albeit a one-sided one, the song minces no words about the reality of love: It’s not always synchronized. It comes with complications, but that’s the beauty of it.

Beyoncé delivers another culture-shifting move with new album, RENAISSANCE

Packed with rousing anthems that resonate on a universal level, the modern pop classic offers an expansive listening journey

The seventh studio album from Beyoncé is available worldwide, on all major streaming platforms. From her own label Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records, RENAISSANCE arrives six years after the globally lauded LEMONADE was released in 2016 as a complete surprise.

The originator of the visual album format, and the preeminent visual artist, decided to lead without visuals giving fans the opportunity to be limitless in their expansive listening journey.   It is a chance again to be listeners and not viewers, while taking in every gem of the pristine production.   While “Break My Soul,” the first single, arrived with a minimal lyric video, the release of RENAISSANCE sans visuals is another culture-shifting move from the artist who has defined an era with reinvention.

Filipina singer-songwriter Bea Lorenzo and Singapore-based artist Benjamin Kheng team up one more time with new song “Panandalian”

The stripped-down track is a Tagalog rendition of “Good For A Time,” released in May 2022 as a collaborative effort between these two Asian acts

Filipina singer-songwriter Bea Lorenzo teams up with Singapore-based artist Benjamin Kheng for the second time with the release of “Panandalian,” a Tagalog rendition of their initial collab track “Good For A Time.” The folk-pop track is also accompanied by the original and an acoustic English version in this bundle.

“Good For A Time,” previously released in March 2022, has nearly 2 million streams to date and growing.

With lyrics translated by Jarlo Bâse, “Panandalian,” meaning ‘momentary’ in Tagalog, breathes new life to its English counterpart and comes with a lyric video featuring the same dreamy visuals that accentuate the bittersweet transience of a relationship.

Sponge Cola reveals the inconvenient truth about regret on new single “Laman Ng Panaginip”

The new single is inspired by the power ballads of the ‘80s and ‘90s

Filipino alternative rock outfit Sponge Cola addresses the truth about regret and longing on their heart-wrenching single “Laman Ng Panaginip”—released via Sony Music Philippines.

Redefining love songs with reckless abandon, the Filipino quartet expresses the complexity of impossible choices in a world that is grounded in the familiar and often neglected reality of prioritizing practicality first before anything else, including love.

“This idea is mentioned concretely in the song almost as blunt exposition,” lead vocalist and guitarist Yael Yuzon stresses. “I really wanted the listener to feel that slab of reality to the face as opposed to something vague and symbolic. No figures of speech here; just feel it and let it all out. It’s the type of material that deserves to be sung out loud in the videoke over drinks with our friends and family for some kind of release.”

Asia’s Soul Supreme KZ Tandingan hits up with global electronic producers GATTÜSO and Frogmonster on “Somebody Like You”

 

Filipino pop/R&B artist KZ Tandingan teams up with international producers GATTÜSO and Frogmonster on the clubby electronic anthem “Somebody Like You,” out now via Liquid State and Sony Music.

With a collective 1.75 billion streams between them over the last 2 years, the unexpected trio pushes the boundaries of dance music with a truly global collaboration that features two versions: one in English and another one in Mandarin.

The trio has created a progressive banger full of high emotions and feels across each version, with the lyrics highlighting that special moment when you realize that it’s possible to end up with your partner forever.

Maluma releases new album, The Love & Sex Tape

The music video for focus track "Nos Comemos Vivos" with Chencho Corleone is now available!

Global Latin music idol Maluma has just released his new album, The Love & Sex Tape. In The Love & Sex Tape we hear a more urban, street and explicit Maluma, with the essence as well as the beat with which the Colombian star jump-started his outstanding career.

Its production permeates with urban swagger that is a rollercoaster of emotions underscoring love, heartbreak, lust, passion and adrenaline, all flowing with irresistible dembow grooves.
 
"More than a decade into my career, I was missing that essence that inspired me from the beginning and I felt a need to communicate with the streets as well as fans who love the urban rhythm that has defined me from the start; that's why I decided to make this album,” Maluma expressed. The Love & Sex Tape represents my duality and a 2022 version of my original sound.”

Tate McRae drops highly anticipated debut album, i used to think I could fly

 

Multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter/dancer Tate McRae releases her highly anticipated debut album, i used to think i could fly today via RCA Records/Sony Music.

The album is released on May 27^th via RCA Records and showcases Tate at the top of her game. The album features all-star writing collaborators and producers including Greg Kurstin, Finneas, Charlie Puth, Alexander 23, Blake Slatkin, Louis Bell and more.  The album will feature already released tracks “feel like shit,” “she’s all i wanna be,” “chaotic,” “what would you do?” and more.  

“she’s all i wanna be,” her latest single, has over 230 million streams and is currently in the Top 12 on the Top 40 chart.  

K-Pop superstar KANGDANIEL returns with highly anticipated full-length album, The Story

 

Watch the music video of “Upside Town,” the album’s official first single 

K-Pop icon KANGDANIEL marks an explosive return to music-making with the release of his new full-length album, The Story. Featuring 10 songs co-written by the Korean pop superstar himself, the highly anticipated record chronicles stories from his own perspectives and experiences.

The lead track “Upside Town” is a midtempo tune written by KANGDANIEL, Chancellor, Knave and composed by Sean Kennedy and MZMC. The catchy new single brims with a clear Rhodes piano and a solid guitar foundation with mixed drums, whistles, and clapping sounds.

The song’s official release is accompanied by a vibrant music video that takes place in various locations, including a neon-lit barbershop, a rooftop carpark, and a laundromat. It also features KANGDANIEL and his team of talented dancers delivering an astounding choreography with hip-hop and street dance elements.

Filipino rapper Flict-G links up with PUBG MOBILE for “Bawal Sumuko Dito” music video

Smugglaz, Skant Vee, Hakob, and A$tro joins the patriotic rapper in the empowering music video for the youth.

Flict-G teams up with fellow rappers Smugglaz, Skant Vee, Hakob, and A$tro for the star-studded track “Bawal Sumuko,” considered to be PUBG MOBILE’s biggest collaboration of the year. Watch the full music video here.

Familiar PUBG MOBILE characters are brought to life in the music video, interspersed with Battle Royale scenes in-game. The artistic direction also features vibrant blues, pinks, and yellows hinting at the game’s 4th-anniversary celebration.

Flict-G is a Filipino rapper known in hip-hop circles for his patriotic rap and lyrics of resistance and inspiration. He encourages everyone, especially the youth to become the best version of themselves in the PUBG MOBILE story-inspired music video. The Microphone Mechanics and Cursebox production connect real-life adversities to in-game competition faced by gamers.

Filipino band of Mercury teams up with Chinese breakthrough producer Crazy Donkey on new single “New Highs”

The Mandarin edit also features Chinese rapper Kaka

Alternative pop/soul outfit of Mercury continues their winning streak with the release of ‘New Highs,’ their collaborative single with prolific producer Crazy Donkey.

Incorporating elements of house and Brazilian bass effortlessly alongside Nathan Huang’s vocals, ‘New Highs’ showcases the natural instincts that have made 16-year-old Crazy Donkey one of the most exciting names to come out from China in the last 12 months.

Crazy Donkey worked on the lyrics of ‘New Highs’ with multi-platinum award-winning lyricist, Jesper Borgen, who has been responsible for writing hits from the likes of Alan Walker, Bebe Rexha and many more. Furthermore, there will be an alternate Mandarin language version of the song made available with local rapper, Kaka, on April 1 as well.

The Chainsmokers mark first music release in two years with new single “High”

Its music video navigates through a world where love is always fleeting

Following a two-year break from touring and releasing music, and nearly being replaced by two new guys, Grammy® Award-winning and Billboard Chart topping artist/producer duo The Chainsmokers have returned to unveil their highly anticipated new single “High.”

The song, which was co-written and co-produced by Alex and Drew, launches a new musical era for the band and kicks off the journey towards their upcoming fourth full-length album. The song’s official music video has also premiered today and follows the guys to death-defying heights as Drew chases his unattainable significant other through several surreal scenarios, and showcases navigating through a world where love is always fleeting.

The duo has also said of the single, "The song perfectly captures the spirit of today's relationships, the lengths we will go for someone we love, and the lies we tell ourselves to continue on unhappily. However, underlying these dark and often contentious lyrics is a production that feels celebratory because we all know at the end of the day, we never listen to advice, we do what feels best for ourselves and keep telling ourselves it will be different this time.”

Camila Cabello embraces her Latina roots with pop edge on new single “Oh Na Na”

 

Listen to Camila Cabello’s new single “Oh Na Na”

Off the heels of her latest release, “Don’t Go Yet,” three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated, multi-platinum, and chart-topping singer/songwriter Camila Cabello teams up with platinum-selling star Myke Towers and critically acclaimed top producer/artist Tainy on her new song, “Oh Na Na”—out today via Epic Records/Sony Music.

An upbeat bilingual song that mixes English lyrics with Spanish, “Oh Na Na” finds Camila exploring her Latina roots, while embracing her incredibly infectious pop and urban-leaning past. With percussion-infused beats and clubby melodies on its arsenal, the earworm of a bop shows Camila’s versatility as a vocalist, and how capable she is in introducing music with profound cultural histories to the streaming generation.

of Mercury navigates new phase in music journey with two-track release, CHANGIN’ vol. 1

Listen to the band’s new single “I’M FINE”

of Mercury, formerly known as Nathan & Mercury, marks a new chapter in their music journey with the release of their two-track volume, CHANGIN’ Vol. 1—out today via Sony Music Philippines.

The dual release, which features the songs “I’M FINE” and “HEAVEN ON EARTH,” finds the band pushing their sound to an unexpected direction and displaying remarkable consistency in terms of musicality and songwriting. “Think of this release as a re-introduction to us,” of Mercury explains. “This release is a statement from us that we’re growing, we’re changing: a foretaste of what the album is going to be.”

Gleaming with funkier, hip-hop-leaning sounds and edgy production techniques, both tracks assert something that has been proven from the early stages of their career: they’re technically impressive as musicians, but they never let the stylistic explorations get in the way of their soulful, confessional storytelling.

Ben&Ben surpass expectations on sophomore album, Pebble House Vol. 1: Kuwaderno

Multi-platinum certified and critically acclaimed Filipino band Ben&Ben have finally released their highly anticipated sophomore album, Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno via Sony Music. 

Expanding their sound with rewarding experiments and thematically bolder songwriting, the 13-track album marks an important chapter in Ben&Ben’s history as it captures the songs, stories, messages, experiences, learnings, and insights that accompanied them through their self-reflecting but fulfilling journey.

“Each song, much like an entry in one's personal journal, encapsulates something uniquely special to represent something in a certain point in time,” the nine-piece collective shares in a statement. “We felt it would be important for our second album to be a work that brings us closer to our listeners and introduces them more to the wide spectrum of what we are capable of and of who we are as people.”

SB19 and Ben&Ben make history with generation-defining version of “MAPA”

SB19 and Ben&Ben, two of the biggest Philippine acts, are making history again with a re-recording of the former’s smash single “MAPA” under Sony Music.

In a year marked by self-imposed isolation and forced withdrawal from the outside world, the inspirational ballad brims with positive light as it honors every loving and hardworking parent out there, who made our journey toward life bearable, and filled with important lessons.

According to Roslyn Pineda, Sony Music’s General Manager, Philippines and Vice President, Business Development, Asia, there was clamor from the general public for #SBen19 since last year.

Martin Garrix recruits U2’s Bono and The Edge for unity anthem ‘We Are The People’

Martin Garrix teams up with U2’s Bono and The Edge for the release of the official UEFA EURO 2020 song ‘We Are The People’—out now via Sony Music.

After more than a year of anticipation and having to keep this a secret, the track is now available to stream and download via all digital service providers. The song is accompanied by an official music video starring all three artists. The visuals work in synergy with the song and together make for an uplifting and inspiring story.

With the track in the making for three years, Garrix had felt from the early stages of the creative process that Bono’s vocals would make the perfect fit for ‘We Are the People’. His vision came to life when both Bono and his U2 bandmate The Edge agreed to feature on the song. The collaboration evolved further with Bono writing the lyrics and creating melodies and The Edge adding the leading guitar riffs, resulting in a perfect blend of the signature sounds of all artists. 

Ben&Ben offer reassuring warmth on introspective new single “Magpahinga”

Ben&Ben offer words of genuine compassion and encouragement to every person out there who might be going through a lot in these difficult times. On their latest single “Magpahinga,” the nine-piece collective wrote a lovely piano ballad from the point of view of someone who is in dire need of guidance.

“It’s a song that reminds us to check up on ourselves and address our own inner struggles,” lead vocalist and guitarist Paolo Benjamin points out in a statement. “But also, it is a song that aims to accompany the listener, and remind them that in those moments of hardship, they are not alone.” Without resorting to being preachy, the band’s latest offering also reminds listeners that there’s nothing to be ashamed of in taking some time to step back from the situation and heal on your own terms. 

Written by Miguel and Paolo Benjamin, and produced by JP Verona with the band, “Magpahinga” was recorded in the house where the band is currently staying. The remote place has a beautiful baby grand piano, which keyboardist Patricia Lasaten used as an instrument to complement the band’s introspective lyrics.

Ben&Ben paint breathtaking imagery of young love on new single “Upuan”

It’s official: Ben&Ben have finally released “Upuan,” the first single off their upcoming sophomore album to be released under Sony Music.

Written in 2019, in Dumaguete upon arrival at the hotel after one of their shows, their new song takes a nostalgic look on young love, and as Ben&Ben describe it, “the palpable romantic tension that arises from friendships that are formed by sitting next to each other, and the adventurous conversations that ensue.”

Lyrically, “Upuan” draws breathtaking imagery that interprets gestures in such lifelike ways, capturing a play of details with romantic earnestness. The band points out, “we incorporated a more visual style in the song, painting a picture for the listener and transporting them to that familiar place, of falling in love with someone they just met, whether that is in a classroom, by the beach, at a restaurant.”

ZAYN scores another No.1 album in the Philippines with ‘Nobody Is Listening’

ZAYN’s third studio release Nobody is Listening makes history once again as it debuts at No. 1 on iTunes Philippines Top 100 albums chart a few hours after its release. Co-written by ZAYN, the project highlights his R&B influences and showcases deeply personal lyrics. Nobody is Listening sees ZAYN in complete creative control, from designing the album cover art to his sound, he has created a moment in music that is all his own.

The album contains the previously released singles “Vibez” and “Better,” both of which were embraced by fans and critics alike, with Wonderland proclaiming ZAYN was here to “save 2021” with the release of “Vibez” and Billboard calling “Better” a “straightforward R&B track, expressing love in spite of disagreement and designed to showcase one of the most skilled voices in modern pop.”  The latter single has accrued over 105 million streams across all platforms, and upon release the video received a half a million views in the first 10 minutes.