MANILA, Philippines – “We’re branding this as the biggest comeback ever.”
Leader of P-pop boy group SB19, Pablo, said this Friday, February 28, as the group released “DAM,” the first single off its upcoming EP Simula at Wakas.
The song title is a play on the word “pakiramdam,” or feeling. In an interview with Rappler, the group’s main vocalist Stell revealed the song reflects how today’s generation deals with inner struggles. “With this generation, sobrang naging woke lahat ng tao,” he said.
“So I guess, kahit na sabihin nating mababaw siya or malalim, it’s a battle. I think meron tayo noon deep inside us na hindi lang nakikita ng tao, but I guess everyone is living with his or her own war.”
(With this generation, everyone is woke. We may call it shallow or deep, but it’s a battle. We have that deep inside us that other people don’t see. Everyone is living with his or her own war.)
The music is a combination of hiphop, Celtic folk, and EDM music — complemented by booming bass lines and high notes, especially at the bridge.
The music video is set in a medieval world, complete with dark castles, sorcerers, warriors, ravens, and magic. All together, the visuals build up a sense of conflict and doom — with the key players turning into stone as they behold a golden fruit-bearing tree.
Asked about the concept for the music video, the members said they harnessed ideas from everyone. Pablo explained that though they had an initial blueprint for the music and sound, making everyone’s ideas come to life was a challenging process.
Ken, SB19’s main dancer, likened the process to infinity — using his hands to do the talking — where the beginning is the end, and the end is the beginning.
“Pinaka-ayaw namin na gagawin namin na naka-costume kami pero ang corny tingnan. Dapat parang Marvel ‘to, ‘yun ang benchmark…Kung kunwari warrior ka, dapat whole look mo, actions mo — it exudes warrior. Kailangan cohesive, and at the same time, hindi cringey,” Pablo explained.
(We would hate it if we would wear costumes and look corny. It should look like a Marvel movie, that’s the benchmark…For example, if one will play a warrior, your whole look and actions should exude a warrior. It should be cohesive, and at the same time, not cringey.)
Main rapper Josh added that their tendency to micromanage was, as usual, a hurdle in itself. He credited the teams they worked with for the final output — that despite sleepless nights — they are very happy with the work they deem their most ambitious.
Start of ‘Simula at Wakas’
“DAM’s” release also signals the start of the group’s new era for its new EP Simula at Wakas. SB19 says it is the last installment in a trilogy, following Pagsibol in 2021 and Pagtatag in 2023.
With a childish grin, Justin — the group’s creative director — explained their take on the paradox of opposites, “‘Yung ipinakita namin ngayon sa ‘DAM’ is not actually the end. Or it might be the end of a specific start.”
“So, kumbaga, every time – yung kagaya na sinasabi ng kanta – ‘pag nagsisimula ka, nagtatapos siya…It’s up to the viewers kung paano nila hahanapin ‘yung sagot, or iintindihin, or kung paano nila idi-dissect ‘yung buong flow. Hindi ‘nyo alam ‘yung timeline niya, but every time we begin, we end it, but we begin again,” he added.
(What we showed with “DAM” is not actually the end. Or it might be the end of a specific part. So every time — like what was in the song — whenever you start something, it also ends…So, it’s up to the viewers how they will look for answers, understand, or dissect the flow. You don’t know the timeline, but every time we begin, we end it, but we begin again.)
The other songs in Simula at Wakas will be released on April 13, and fans should expect more announcements from the multi-awarded P-pop group.
Pablo teased, “Sobrang proud ako sa album na to. Kasi sobrang dami niyang layers na kapag pinakinggan mo bawat kanta, dadalhin ka talaga sa iba’t ibang lugar, iba’t ibang emosyon. And ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-proud ako kasi ang dami talagang tao na naging involved dito sa EP na ‘to.”
(I’m really proud of this album. It has so many layers that when you listen to each song, it will transport you to different places, make you feel different emotions. What makes me proud the most is the fact that a lot of people worked hard for this EP.)
Ken also talked about their upcoming concert at the Philippine Arena on May 31, and the world tour that will follow.
“Ito ‘yung biggest tour namin na mangyayri. So I’m really excited for the fans to experience this,” he said. Gusto talaga namin na experience eh, hindi ‘yung parang manonood lang sila don. Gusto namin ‘yung parang dalhin namin sila sa kabilang sanlibutan.”
(This is the biggest tour that we will undertake. So, I’m really excited for the fans to experience this. We really want it to be an experience, not just a show for the fans. We want to transport them to another universe.)
Aside from announced concert stops, Stell said there are more unannounced venues and shows. He asked fans to stay tuned for their updates.
The group debuted in 2018, and has since received several awards and recognition. In 2021, the members are named Youth Ambassador of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and Sentro Rizal, NCCA’s cultural center for overseas Filipinos.
They are known for hits “GENTO,” “MAPA,” “Go Up!,” “Bazinga,” and “Nyebe,” among others. – Rappler.com
Content shared from www.rappler.com.