‘More Than Friends’ and other love songs this February

MEGUMI ACORDA

“You Forgot to Say Goodbye”

THE new single titled “You Forgot to Say Goodbye” from Pinoy guitarist Megumi Acorda starts with a light folk rock gait till it blooms in encompassing shoegaze breadth and then back to a cycle of light and heavy guitar tones. It parallels the accompanying video featuring lonely landscapes to mirror the happysad arc of the lyrics that partly goes: “You forgot to say goodbye, but it’s okay /Cause every time I close my eyes I see you anyway/I watched the roses die beside your name/You’re the first I’ll try to find when I leave this world behind.” Sigh.

THE QUEENS “Skeletons”

THE Queens is composed of five individuals from Iloilo City, with JC, Pao, and Amiel on guitars, Mac on drums, and Lilith on bass and vocals. They bring together a number of different influences to deliver fresh, dream-like tones and personal, emotional lyricism in their new single “Skeletons.”

JC Pain explains, “Skeletons tackles themes of selfdoubt, rejection, and the very real fear which every queer individual lives through at some point of his/her life. It’s a wish that every skeleton trapped behind a closet door gains the strength to push the door open and show the world what’s been hidden for so long inside the closet.”

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BASALT SHRINE

“The Immutable Eminence of Despair”

THIS doom/post-metal super quartet of Bobby Legaspi (Surrogate Prey), Rallye Ibanez (ex-Religious Nightmare) and Ronaldo and Ronnel Vivo (The Insektlife Cycle) opens their latest single in slow, rhythmic tempo that succumbs to Black Sabbath-like funereal dirge. The harsh vocals introduce the gloom ain’t lifting any time soon while expressing the onset of hellish anguish and desolation. It may not be the best tune for Valentine’s day but it’s as heartrending as any of the sunshiny tracks to prick the ears this time of the year.

KAIA “Turn Up”

YUAN ESTRADA, DAVE ANONUEVO

“More Than Friends”

AFTER releasing songs like “First Impressions” and “Home to You on Christmas,” Yuan Estrada X Dave Anonuevo are back again with a soft pop tune titled “More than Friends” that talks about wanting to get out of the friendship zone even as it unveils hidden feelings for a friend. Yuan’s soft-touch vocals, combined with Dave’s masterful production, makes this song a very feel-good, light, and easy song to listen to. Avid listeners especially in the love month, should get that “kilig” moment when true feelings to a close friend are finally revealed with the fervent hope for a happy ever after.

JAN ROBERTS

“Patlang” alternative artist Jan Roberts conceived his new single to encapsulate the mellow mix of healing and acceptance that fate is beyond anyone’s control and it may eventually not go your way sometimes but that too is okay. The song offers a gentle validation that longing for someone you lost can coincide with accepting that you can still find happiness in other loving arms. Filled with simple but melodic tunes and heartfelt lyrics, “Patlang” illustrates the blank spaces of time spent staring at the ceiling trying to find peace in between uneasy sadness when you feel nothing and everything at the same time.

BICOL-BASED

THEFilipino P-Pop quintet’s new single “Turn Up” unabashedly displays their signature brand of sass while reviving the bold, explosive sounds of early 2010’s dance-pop. Its release comes with a music video (performance version) whose visuals find KAIA executing the track in synchronized choreography.

As pointed out by the five-member act, “Turn Up” is an escapist anthem about setting one’s worries aside for the time being and taking pleasure in moments that call for fun and adventure. In a collaborative statement, KAIA shares, “Because the original song is upbeat and danceable. we thought a party concept will be best for it, so people would have fun whenever they hear or see “Turn Up.” We want our listeners to feel good as they vibe with the song.”