Jae K (Facebook)

Here’s how Pinoy pop is looking this week. Running the gamut from pop, rap, R&B to remakes and modern rock.

Starting with rap and R&B music act Jae K who just released a full-length album titled “LLC.” Singer-songwriter Jae K (real name Joshua Reyes) takes his listeners through nine original tunes of the most cracking, atmospheric, chill and banging Hiphop tinged R&B music in the local scene today.

Bobbing beats, moody synths are the order of the day for Jae K starting with moody, slow lo-fi “Lucky You.”  Already making headway is equally brooding but sexy-sounding modern R&B flavored “Dahan” featuring JUST HUSH who offers a relaxed and smooth sing-rap section.

Jae K’s “LLC” boasts a few names that might ring a bell, among them are songsmiths Jin Chan (contributing on “Dahan”) and Elvin Santos on lo-fi groover “Galit” that also features fellow Hiphop artist Yuridope. Both Chan and Santos, and yes Jae K are rising songwriters in the world of local R&B and rap music. Testament to Jae K’s skill is this whole album of course, in which he samples his knack for grooving bangers such as “Uno,” beat-driven urban flavored ballads such as “Everyday” and “Peace Of Mind” to name some.

As of now, Jae K is an underrated music act that’s just waiting for his moment in the spotlight. Be that as it may, he is already a rising star in the roster of the WAYBETTR label that already includes DENY, Tus Brothers and Jin Chan in its growing roster.

Speaking of rap music, “Dyamante” is the epic-sounding rap number recorded by Tanikala and MICZ. Caught on record here is an intense performance by this rising rap artist from Cavite who is making their debut under OC Records. Here, Tanikala  raps as MICZ supplies the hook choruses on this rousing, intensely motivating rap about duking it out in life and eventually making it on top.

'The Stranger' by bird official single art

Singer-songwriter Joshua Feliciano returns with a lilting new tune titled “Uuwian.” Listening to Joshua is always worthwhile and more so on this new song he wrote with a distinctly indie flavored sprinkle on his usual brand of acoustic pop. Here, pianos sit side by side with his usual acoustic guitar, and that falsetto of his gives this tune a lift. Fittingly so, as Joshua posits here that no matter how difficult life gets, as it inevitably does, he will still manage to find his way home. As the adage goes; home is where the heart is.

Singer-songwriter and ace balladeer Mark Carpio returns with his faithful take of the classic love song in “Just The Way You Are.” Mark Carpio becomes an interpreter in this outing but nevertheless does a sterling job on this Billy Joel signature hit, proving that his previous work on covering song classics by Kenny Rogers  and OPM’s very own Ric Segreto were agreeably, no fluke.

Zo zo (Ralph Antonin Castor) offers some clever wordplay on his new song titled “BAGSAK.”

Zo keeps it basic, but nevertheless he’s got some hook laden choruses in here as he sings how falling hurts, every time he “falls” for the girl of his dreams. Simple, but definitely tuneful.

Modern rock band bird returns with an atmospheric sounding rocker in their brand new song titled “the stranger.” Rocking like a new wave tune, the theme, funnily enough, is about  “denying blood passage in one’s arm, ultimately losing feeling in said limb, and using said hand to play with one’s self…” But the song’s more poetic reasoning is its themes of loneliness and hopelessness.

Twists and wordplay. Well played, bird.

Listen on the Pinoy Pop Playlist https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6vMp1Yog4J79ihZMziQsAZ?si=de51e7f4edcd4d81