Pinoy hip-hop is again in bloom as ace rapper Because returns with a massive record. The perennial golden boy of Pinoy rap now offers “Heartbreak SZN 3” as installment numero tres of a now fully realized music series.

It all started in 2018 when then 17-year-old Because--real name BJ Castillano--released the original “Heartbreak SZN” album wherein he practically announced his arrival as the genre’s youngest wizard and earning a pair of hits in “Marlboro Black” and “Sandali” for his effort in the process.

Now at 23 (ish), Because is still rhyming about heartbreak and regret. He also has four full albums (including 2019’s “Rowena”), which are now officially under his LV-branded belt because he is still finding ways to improve his rap game.

Most notably in his sonics, as he explicitly emphasizes his atmospherics this time out. He establishes the mood first with a minor key, synth-and-piano-drenched “Marlboro Black 3.” Asked what the song refers to, Because mentions that it’s about those really heavy breakups “so bad that you can’t help but light those damn cigarettes” (na sobrang na wasak ka na mapapasindi ka na lang ng sigarilyo). Sure enough, the theme is a favorite subject for the rapper, so much so that he’s gotten to version 3.0 already.

Doubling down on the heartbreak hook is “Swerte,” which opens up with a sample of Randy Santiago’s “Babaero.” Again, Because chooses his beats slow and his chords progressions on the minor key side with a drone descending under lick to go with the rapper jamming on the ‘Di’na ko babaero pero ngiti ko ay totoo’ line; as for the atmospherics, the effect is as if Because is swearing 'di na ako babaero' to his girl in a whispery voice, as they're hanging out in a hazy, vape-smoke filled space.

In the tradition of the ‘rap-collab’ “Heartbreak SZN 3” features some heavy hiphop guests. Hev Abi shares the spotlight with Because on the head-bobbing and grooving lyrical rhymes of “Minahal Aagad.” Keep an ear out for a warped sample of the VST & Company tune “Ipagpatawad Mo,” playing as an underlick. Hot rap act Supafly also appears on the bouncy, pop-tinged “Ayoko Na.” Meanwhile, Allison Shore brings melody and an R&B club feel to the proceedings on "Pausok."  

Because he is a creature of habit, he would have to be able to reach the milestones of accomplishing all his albums. And a constant on all those music projects is hiphop producer, arranger and trap beat meister NEXXFRIDAY (real name Emmanuel Salen). A longtime and frequent collaborator, NEXXFRIDAY produces, records and creates most of the tracks on all “Heartbreak SZN” albums and is the perfect foil for Because's creativity. Ditto Because regularly jams with his Flow Ministry compatriots FTD, Larkmester (as they do so on vibing “PIN”) and rapper Ace Cirera (the voice behind the ‘you got NEXXFRIDAY on this beat’ tag) on moody but groovin’ “DOPAMINA.”

At fifteen tracks, highlights abound on “Heartbreak SZN 3,” which includes standout tracks “BNK” (break na kami) with its club scene thump, “Talksick” with its lofi-ish synths and ambient beats, and the uptempo trap beats of “No Shade” with its solo Because lyrical flex. 

So get the weed out and bring the Tanqueray-soda water and ice along with it, as this album’s made for vibing. Oh, and in the words of Because circa 2019, “made for crying in the clubs,” but with a 2024 kick.