SB19 Launches 6-track EP "Pagsibol"
Nobody can't deny that achievements made by Pinoy pop torchbearers SB19 as their record-breaking success has brought them accolades here and abroad, including the first
Filipino act to be nominated for a Billboard Music Award and reaching a No. 2
peak on Billboard Social 50, a chart that utilizes real-time social media data
to track the most fan-engaged artists in the world. From being part of Spotify’s
RADAR program in 2020 that supported the band’s borderless access to fans, to
becoming the Most Requested Artist of the Year for 2020 on MTV US Friday
Livestream, the band has solidified their global presence with their music.
Global
recognition aside, SB19 continues to push boundaries in terms of production and
songwriting, challenging conventions with their sophisticated modern sounds and
anthemic lyrics. According to Sony Music’s GM, Philippines & VP, Business
Development, Asia, Roslyn Pineda, SB19’s insistence to excel in their craft is
once again displayed in full force on their upcoming EP, Pagsibol. “This time, they’re going all-out in expanding their
range by sprinkling bits of experiments with their brand of edgy pop.”
Mapping the band’s journey through Pagsibol
A Filipino
word that literally translates to germination, as to how seeds grow into
plants, Pagsibol is a metaphorical
reference to the band’s journey in the music industry. “In that context, we
want our EP to symbolize our beginnings, origins, or simply our roots,” SB19
shares in a statement. “The term also signifies our growth from the group’s
formative years to where we are right now.”
The
6-track EP contains the empowering song “What?,” released early this year to
critical and commercial acclaim; the inspiring but powerful ballad “MAPA”; and a 2021 version of their early ballad
“Ikako.” SB19 is no stranger to defying structures and infusing global sounds
in a singular music package, and on their EP, Pagsibol, they have asserted creative control over their material
without sacrificing accessibility. This is evident i n “Mana,”
a throbbing banger that updates their electro-pop, R&B, and hip-hop
influences with cinematic grandeur. The title is actually short for the
Filipino mythical creature “manananggal,”
which has the ability to sever its upper torso from the rest of its body. SB19
redefines the word to symbolize humility. “No matter how far we go or how high
we reach, our feet will always remain on the ground,” says the Asian quintet.
Pagsibol raises the stage to the next level with
“Bazinga,” the new single coinciding with the EP drop. Brimming with trap-pop
production and reggaeton-infused hip-hop rhythms, the song takes a swipe at the
band’s detractors online and offline, and reflects on the “bashing” culture
that every artist experiences at the onset of their
careers.
In the
same vein as the band’s more radio-friendly tunes, “SLMT” showcases the group’s
more effervescent side to their music-making. The insanely catchy bop honors
A’TIN, a community of like-minded individuals and fans to whom SB19 is
eternally grateful.
Taken as a
whole, Pagsibol tackles a variety of
themes that are integral to the pop group’s narrative. As SB19 puts it, “They
will get a glimpse of our paths and what we went through. We consider this EP
to be very meaningful as everything is from us - the conceptualization, the
creative process, the totality of the product itself.”
SB19 and Spotify
SB19 Followers
have more than doubled on Spotify, the world-leading audio platform, within
just a year (June 2020 - June 2021). On joining Spotify RADAR Philippines, an emerging artist program that spotlights rising talent,
SB19 says, “Being on Spotify’s RADAR program since 2020 has been a lot
of help for us. Spotify’s commitment to local artists has unlocked many
opportunities, from enabling us to represent Pinoy music on the global stage to
helping new audiences discover our songs.”
To
celebrate the launch of Pagsibol,
Spotify unveils “SB19 A’TIN ‘To!”, a campaign that showcases Pinoy pride and tells the story of SB19’s latest EP through
audio and visual art. SB19 and Spotify collaborated with six Filipino visual
artists to design roving jeepneys, each uniquely inspired by the six tracks on
“Pagsibol”. Fans can also look forward to exclusive SB19 content on Spotify’s
Tatak Pinoy playlist. Kossy Ng, Spotify’s Head of Music for Asia says, “It’s
been wonderful to be a part of SB19’s journey; watching their growth from RADAR
artists to today reaching listeners all over the world. We are thrilled to get behind the launch of Pagsibol through
this campaign and allowing fans, not only in the Philippines, but all over the
world to experience their music. Spotify continues to champion the vibrant
Philippine music scene by connecting more artists and fans.”
SB19’s EP, “Pagsibol” is out
now on Spotify via Sony Music. The internationally recognized
boyband will be performing the songs off their Extended Play for the first time
live on their upcoming online concert, Back In The Zone, happening on August 1,
2021 (Sunday), 19:30 PHT. VIP and VVIP tickets are sold out, but you can still
get general admission tickets here.
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