Photos (from left): John Roa, Ace Cirera, Earl Agustin, and Bandang Lapis (Image from the official Facebook account).

Established favorites and new faces mix it up for this week’s new singles release.  All new music with the mainstream listener in mind. Beginning with John Roa who has just released a new single entitled "Right Time." The prolific singer-songwriter of such hits as “Oks Lang'' and “Biyahe” among others, dishes out a grooving banger on this mid-tempo number. Said song finds John Roa mixing his usual R&B-tinged sound with de riguer modern trap beats and seems to be set on a chill party vibe. But listen closer and you’ll find that John Roa is actually singing an inspirational-themed song. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKng70FEtX8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKng70FEtX8) Here he sings, “Now all I gotta do is just be patient / and walk this life with you and your direction / ‘cause your plans are greater than my imagination.” John himself admits as much, that he “plans to release a gospel album soon.” And that said record will feature some big-name acts as collaborators, but he’s not at liberty yet to disclose the names. But what he is sure of is that it’s going to be his first inspirational-themed set.  If were going to base it on his recent releases such as the anthemic “Sige Padayon” and the Sarah G collab “Alam” and yes, “Right Time,” then it’s going to highlight John Roa’s versatility as a music act adept at pop, R&B, Hip-hop and whatever it is he sets his sights in.   Bandang Lapis returns with a brand new single “Wag Ka Nang Umiyak” and finds the hit banda-para-sa-masa  delivering the goods on this rousing ode to every ‘dalagang Filipina.’ Bandang Lapis is one of the surprise hit bands currently on the scene today, and if you haven’t been paying attention to this pop rock unit, their fame started with “Kabilang Buhay” that became the de-factor theme of Pinoy pop listeners during the pandemic. Bandang Lapis has since stuck to their pop rock-infused, earnest-themed songs, which have now become their signature sound.   [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTr5SATY40Y](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTr5SATY40Y) Earl Agustin is the hottest newcomer to watch out for. At first listen, the 22-year-old singer bears an unmistakable vocal likeness to Arthur Nery, but listen closely and it’s easy to hear that the only thing Earl Agustin has with Nery is their love for R&B which informs both their singing styles (or maybe the fact that they’re both born & bred in the south). Anyway, Earl Agustin made his streaming platform debut with the song “Tapos Na.” It’s obvious on this mid-tempo ballad that Earl Agustin is deep into R&B flavored pop and that he’s an all-killer, no-filler type of R&B singer. Meaning he ditches those vocal histrionics (if any it’s minimal) and goes to the meat of the song which is the melody and theme. While “Tapos Na” is just above your run-of-the-mill love song theme-wise, Earl Agustin’s delivery sells it for us. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRoSbi3ee0E](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRoSbi3ee0E) Speaking of newcomers Ace Cirera is a rap music artist that’s worth checking out. Ace is new-ish in that he’s been a fixture of the local rap scene for some time now for his association with fellow rap artist BECAUSE (who is a childhood buddy of his). But he has since released his own music, beginning with 2020’s “Anastacia” and “Patalastas,” and his collaborations with rappers Yuridope and K-Ram and the rap quartet Flow Minister with BECAUSE, FTD and Larkmester. Just this year Ace Cirera has already released two tracks with “Sagot Kita” featuring Yzkk and new solo single “eroplano.” The latter is a bouncy and groovy number with catchy hooks and finds Ace musing space, flying, and life (not necessarily in that order). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ra3eatVZpg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ra3eatVZpg)