“We only get to appreciate light in darkness. The light that guides, that never gives up, never fails, and the light that will lead us to the right place.”
This is The Juans’ official statement about the theme of their new record. Said new release, the appropriately titled “Liwanag”, is the first full length release for 2022 from the hit group The Juans.
The band–Carl Guevarra, Japs Mendoza, Chael Adriano, Joshua Coronel and RJ Cruz put much effort and time in preparing for the roll out of this massive 15-track compilation of all original tunes of varying themes about life, love and relations.
And for the first time, The Juans have more than two members contributing songs. Whereas before, lead singers Carl Guevarra and Japs Mendoza have taken the bulk of songwriting, this time, bassist Chael Adriano and guitarist RJ Adriano are contributing significantly to the songwriting. And the resulting sound is noticeably adventurous. While most songs retain a pop sheen, The Juans are pushing outside of their sonic comfort zones. Danceable tracks like “Pangalan” sit comfortably side by side with anthemic numbers like “Liwanag” and electropop flavored tunes like “Pinakakahintay.”
The Juans are consciously innovating their sound. And the tracks “Salamin” and “Love You” certainly are strikingly different from their past releases. Come to think of it, trying out new approaches to songs have been a hallmark of the band. And they couldn’t be more different than in the faux-rap and trap beat inflected original song “Kahon,” the dance pop flavored “Still Standing,” and the showunes-y “Teka Muna.”
Then there’s the poignant and yearning piano ballad called “Kuya.” A song that seem to embody the underlying themes of hope and inspiration of all previous songs. As The Juans themselves said: “Lahat tayo kailangan ng liwanag; Liwanag na gumagagabay, Liwanag na nagbibigay buhay; Ang liwanag na nagpapalinaw sa mga bagay na hindi natin maintidihan at Liwanag na tutunaw sa mga kasinungalingan niyayakap natin sa kadiliman.”
Previously released fan-fave singles “Anghel”, “Dulo” and “Sabik” are also included complete this career landmark album.
On the eve of the album release, The Juans and Viva Records have elaborately prepared a series of activities to the lead up when the songs will finally be available for listening on the streaming platforms.
A press conference at Boteyju Fishermall branch will start the day’s activities, then an exclusive interview at The Wishbus. Followed by the ‘advance listening party’ at 6pm and the theatrical premiere of the lyric videos of all the songs included on the album, of which a red carpet will precede featuring The Juans, movie actors and their fellow hit music acts. The Juans “LIWANAG” will then be released on Spotify at 9pm and then all streaming platforms at 12 midnight.
All lyric videos will be released on The Juans’ YouTube channel on March 18 at 1pm