Discover This Week’s Pinoy Pop Playlist
This week’s Pinoy Pop Playlist offers a rich blend of local talent ready to captivate your ears. The featured artists showcase the vibrant diversity of Filipino music today, and they truly deserve your attention. Among the standout tracks is the neo-folk collaboration “Hingalo” by Jan Roberts and Shirebound, a song that blends poetic lyrics with soothing indie folk melodies.
Jan Roberts, known for his earlier hits like “Sagip” and “Kalimutan,” continues to charm with this contemplative acoustic ballad. As an artist from Albay, his signature style remains consistent, delivering calming and introspective tunes that resonate deeply.
Shirebound’s Unique Indie Folk Sound
The band Shirebound, whose name hints at Tolkien inspirations, offers a fresh take in “Hingalo.” Rather than fantasy tales, their music merges indie folk elements with Roberts’ distinct non-mainstream vibe, creating a dreamy and refreshing sound. This style fits well alongside other popular Filipino indie bands like Cup Of Joe, Sugarcane, Dilaw, and Earl Agustin, who have become staples in the local music scene.
Listeners can explore Shirebound’s 2019 album, For Princesses by Thieves (O Mga Awit Ng Hiraya Para Sa Guni-Guning Sinta), which features inventive Pinoy pop songs such as “Miss Mosh” and “Waltz Of Four Left Feet.” These tracks offer reflective and sparkling melodies that highlight the band’s creative range.
Pinoy R&B and Rap: Dionela’s Rising Influence
In 2025, Pinoy R&B continues to thrive with artists like Dionela standing out. Hailing from Guiguinto, Bulacan, Dionela garnered massive success with his 2024 single “Marilag,” which has amassed over 182 million streams on Spotify. His style masterfully combines rap verses with catchy R&B choruses, seamlessly blending English and Tagalog lyrics to connect with a wide audience.
Listeners can catch echoes of Usher and Charlie Puth in “Marilag,” while his track “Ikigai” calls back to early 2000s R&B vibes. The rap segment reminiscent of Loonie adds a nostalgic touch. Dionela’s clever play on the Japanese word “ikigai,” meaning a reason for being, turns the song into a heartfelt tribute to his true source of strength.
Classic OPM Revived and Punk Rock Mellowed
Janine’s recent cover of “Love Of My Life,” originally by Jay Durias, brings early 2000s R&B back into the spotlight. Her rendition, part of the “SWABE” album, remains faithful to the original while adding a fresh interpretation. This album also features other artists updating classic OPM tunes, proving that these timeless songs continue to inspire new generations.
Meanwhile, punk rock band Hilera returns with “Sa Madaling Araw,” a shift from their usual energetic sound to a more introspective ballad. Led by singer-guitarist Chris Padilla, the trio incorporates acoustic guitars and piano, showing that even punk musicians can embrace softer, reflective moods as they grow.
Blaster Silonga’s Nostalgic Manila Sound
Blaster Silonga’s latest single “Hayy” pays homage to the 1970s Manila Sound era. Drawing inspiration from that time, the song features airy vocals reminiscent of Yolly Samson and other sonic elements from the decade. Blaster’s style and image seem to have stepped right out of a 70s time machine, making this track a nostalgic yet original addition to the Pinoy pop scene.
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