Pinoy pop music in 2018

2018 was an oddly frustrating, exasperating but definitely exciting time for Filipino pop music. Well, the CD died or to be kind because like vinyl, it might rise up to play again, I would say went into a coma. No more CDs to give to friends on Christmas. So sad because CDs were easy to wrap and can last a long, long time. So we were all forced to learn how to stream and download records.  

The death of the CD, of course, also killed the album as we knew it. The practice then was for an artist to put together an album of 10 or 12 songs. Then he would choose a single that will be played on radio and will have a video to show on YouTube. And that he hoped would be a hit. Then he would release another and another. Then a year later, he would choose a new line-up of songs, record an album and go through the process again.

Not anymore. And the atmosphere around the local music circle echoes that of the ‘70s during the beginning of the Manila Sound era, when fresh young talents with bright ideas came along and dared to change the rules. Remember bands like Hotdog and the soul balladeer Rico J. Puno. They started out with 45RPM singles that sold better than hot cakes, went on to more singles and created the classics we enjoy listening to today.

Ben & Ben

The way the system works now is no different. An artist records a song. Doing this in a good professional studio assures of a quality product but thanks to modern technology, recording can be done anywhere. The single then is released on the different digital platforms like iTunes and Spotify. He still needs a video but not anymore the award-baiting sort. In fact, a lyric video with minimal visuals will do as well. Being signed to a major label helps but again, not anymore. Anybody can upload his recording and have equal chances of creating a hit.

This situation has changed the rules. With a huge variety of pop music available online, people became free to make their own choices. No need anymore for labels or media to dictate what they should listen to. As a result, pop music in 2018 was a diverse batch with heretofore unknowns creating the hits and setting trends. Pop music and its stars lost the identity normally associated with them. Their success is now measured not by records sold or radio airplay but by the number of streams and their social media following.

 While mostly different and unexpected, these new stars and their music have reinvigorated a once stagnant and boring music industry. Described as all but dead a year or two ago, it has now become fun and exciting. Hits are atypical and coming from everywhere.  And these are seldom what are usually expected. We are now surrounded by new music and this is what is creating the musical identity of the Filipino for the future.

Check out this list. Some of them are still products of record labels but take note that they now have this distinctive indie vibe. Here, from this line-up will probably come the classics of tomorrow.

Ex-Battalion

Because, Marlboro Black, Sandali; Ben & Ben, Leaves, Tinatangi, Branches, Maybe The Night, Kathang Isip; Caleb Santos, I Need You More Today; December Avenue, Kung Di Rin Lang Ako, Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-ibig, Bulong; Ex-Battalion, Hayaan Mo Sila, Ikaw Kase, Follow My Lead; Nandyan Agad Ako; IV of Spades, Mundo; I Belong To The Zoo, Sana, Balang Araw; Janine Tenoso, Di Na Muli.

John Roa, Oks Lang, Di Ako FBoy; Karencitta, Cebuana; Juan Karlos, Buwan; Khel Pangilinan, Weak; Leanne & Naara, Someday; Marion Aunor, Akala; Moira dela Torre, Malaya, Tagpuan, Torete, Titibok-tibok; Shanti Dope, Nadarang, MAU, Noreem; Silent Sanctuary, Pasensiya Ka Na; This Band, Kahit Ayaw Mo Na, Hindi Na Nga Bitaw Na; UNIQUE, Midnight Sky.

As for those of you who adore power singing, there is no need to grieve. Singing champion Sarah Geronimo still holds the fort with Isa Pang Araw and her revival of Kiss Me Kiss Me. Then there is the young and hot Katrina Velarde to fill the bill. She made her mark when she practiced singing with her comb. She is now known as the Suklay Diva. She can sing circles around any song and makes everything sound stunning.