In a music scene currently saturated with rap, P-pop-tinged dance, and generic pop, the emergence of a truly exceptional power ballad is a rare and precious occurrence.

But what is a power ballad anyway, and who still cares about it?

Well, it’s a type of pop song that combines a strong emotional theme coupled with a pronounced instrumentation that almost always borrows from rock. Usually, it is slow to moderate in tempo, with lyrics that deal with love or heartbreak (usually the latter) and delivered by a powerful vocal amidst a dramatic arrangement for impact wrapped in a sesame seed bun.

And while these days are dominated by rap or dance pop or some iteration of it or its distant sonic cousin, believe it or not, power ballads are a genre unto itself and enjoyed about two decades worth of dominance. Think of late 70s slow rock or 80s hair metal and even early 90s alt-rock. From Journey (“Open Arms''), REO Speedwagon (“Can’t Fight This Feeling”), to Guns N’ Roses (''November Rain”), Skid Row (“I Remember You”), Metallica (“Nothing Else Matters”), Posion (“Every Rose Has Its Thorn”) and to an extent, Pearl Jam (“Daughter”), to Smashing Pumpkins (“1979”). All had their slow to mid-tempo anthem.

And while all of that is firmly in the past, listening to some new releases this past weekend reminded me of this particular style and sound.

Jireh Lim always looked like he had it in him. I mean look at his hair. Seriously, Jireh Lim’s “Pulot” is what inspired this week’s topic. Big acoustic guitars that drive the verse, the gradual build up on the pre-chorus, to the yearning theme (with lyrics of “kahit na wala ka na, di pa rin ako hahanap ng iba / wala ng hihigit pa, sa iyong kagandahan”) on its hook-laden chorus definitely had major power ballad feels. Jireh also aces it on the vocal department as he starts slow and low and goes with a flourish on the chorus. “Pulot” also rocks more than usual for the “Buko” singer.

Then there’s Barabbas. The Angeles, Pampanga-based band named after the biblical figure may sound like a classic metal band but apparently, are purveyors of the modern rock ballad. The dramatic keyboard-synth that opens their new song “Mithi” is just the launch pad for an epic sonic build up that culminates in a big rock band interplay. There’s some exceptional vocal interplay (there’s more than one vocal for the band after all) and the eventual lead up to a big guitar solo (albeit short) is straight out of power ballad territory. Barabbas’ previous single “Irog Ko” is more modern alt pop, but the rock influences are definitely there. Barabbas includes vocalists Psalm Manalo, John Dizon, rapper Russ Atoy, guitarists Josh Elevera and Ian Shem Sarmiento, bassist Paolo de Guzman and drummer Tristan Pabello.

Completing the trifecta is independent solo act Jed Baruelo. His just released single “Langit” isn’t exactly a power ballad in the strictest sense of our definition, but listening to it strikes a resounding inner chord that just makes us stop and listen. “Langit” is catchy as it gets. And his lyrics of “Langit ang nadarama sa tuwing kapiling ka sinta / ikamamatay ko na, kung mawawala ka na” is forlorn and a-wanting as heck. Jed Baruelo’s got some solid sonic ear worm thing going for him and that’s what drives “Langit” that comes complete with a melodic guitar solo. And while admittedly, Jed Baruelo’s sound is nearer to alt-rock, the theme of “Langit” reminds me of Warrant’s “Heaven” (para maipilit lang).

So, who else cares for this kind of music?

Me thinks those not listening to rap.