Autotelic shares Hopeful New Single ‘Iwan’
When Filipino pop-rock bands in
the early 2010s started to gain mainstream prominence, Autotelic emerged
as one of the movement’s leading voices. From churning heartfelt anthems that
reflect the sentiments and triumphs of the current generation to rocking the
stage with unforgettable performances, the six-piece band sets the standards of
what modern pop songcraft is all about: beautifully resonant at its most
melancholic, and defenseless in its poignant honesty.
Fast forward to 2021,
Autotelic’s music still hits home. Their work has been consistent in eloquently
expressing the woes and rewards of being young, in love and emotionally
wrecked, and is informed not so much by its time, but by timelessness and
enduring appeal. These qualities are inevitably present on “Iwan,” Autotelic’s
new single released under MCA Music Inc.
Teeming with earnestness and
indelible pop sensibilities, Autotelic’s latest track sticks to the quivering
fragility that often permeates their material. But this time around, vocalist
and guitarist Josh Villena drowns the severity of his pained words with fresh
learnings and new beginnings; his optimism earned, and completely devoid of
pride and toxicity. On “Iwan,” both Villena and keyboardist/vocalist Kai
Honasan trade harmonies over catchy, melodic guitar lines and engaging
instrumentation, pouring their souls on the now-powerful mantra, “di na
maliligaw, mawawala / hahanapan ng paraan” as if it means the world to
them.
According to Villena, “Iwan”
deals with regrets and doing everything you can to ensure that mistakes won’t
happen again. The song was initially written for Josh’s side project, but
because it shares more thematic affinity with previously released tunes, “Bago”
and “Kuwentuhan,” the acclaimed alternative pop outfit decided to take
ownership of the recording.
As a result, the final version
delivers everything you need to hear in an Autotelic song: a persistent hook
that refuses to fade away, a melodic gift that carries gravity and escape all
at once, and a powerful narrative that captures the sheer messiness of romance.
In terms of music, the band was trying to relive the glory days of early 2000s
pop-rock/pop-punk, while grounding its nostalgic tendencies with effortless
dynamics and savvy sonic flourishes.
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