When Unique Salonga reunited with IV of Spades – bassist-vocalist Zild Benitez, lead guitarist Blaster Silonga, and drummer Badjao de Castro – after their noisy breakup, the Pinoy rock scene had a much-needed shot in the arm that’s equal parts adrenaline and hope. Adrenaline, because even on paper, IV of Spades is a formidable rock unit. A reputation they’ve built on when “Mundo” blew up back in 2018 and sustained moving forward, even after the split, with Unique stretching out as a solo artist and with Zild, Blaster, and Badjao carrying on as a trio.

And now that they’ve hashed out their differences (which was rumored to be more about their parents/managers clashing on the band’s professional affairs, more than the actual band member disunity), they bring with them the hope that better times are ahead for the Pinoy rock scene as a whole.

And IVOS has been on point so far. For example, the wistful longing and the dreamy-sounding quality of the last single “Aura” certainly lived up to the expectations of longtime listeners. Even those watching on the sidelines, with eyebrows cocked high on one side, checking if all the rockstar “posturings” had any merit, had to appreciate what IV of Spades is putting out.

But now that they’ve released their first new album back, any doubts as to whether IV of Spades are the proverbial torchbearers for Pinoy rock are thrown out the window. Because all the proof that’s needed is in “Andalucia.”

Diving in, IVOS immediately gives off ’90s alt-rock vibes with album opener “Tara.” With Zild on vocals eerily reminiscent of Rico Blanco, and the opening acoustic guitar riff evoking a sound reminiscent of “Cutterpillow.” The same goes for the next track, “Monster,” which sounds like a collaboration between Buendia and Marasigan. The mention of a “wishing well’ may well have been accidental. Still, E-Heads' comparison aside, “Monster” with its surging discotheque sixteenth-beats is actually pounding on a statement: “We are the future, not the seventies” as Unique and Zild intone together, just to let everybody know this is not a retro act and about moving forward.

Which is well, because with a dozen tracks, “Andalucia” is chock full of songs that can stand on their own, even if it does give off a particular era vibe. “Nanaman” is as pop as it gets for this rock unit, but their way, and it’s catchy as flu on a rain-drenched, flood-project-scandalized day.

Gems pop out like glittering “Konsensya” and on shimmering “Tamis Ng Pagkakamali.” IVOS draws inspiration from the best, and if you hear a little Beatles-inspired bit or a touch of Pink Floyd coloring, we can let it slide because it’s done in good taste (just don’t go thinking they invented it). Having said that, thumbs up on “Rewind” which recalls (French band) Phoenix. And let’s put on record that “Aura” – the first song the band wrote after reuniting – is beautiful, tender, and melancholy all at the same time, where we find Unique and Zild trading verses on a song (just one of several across “Andalucia”).

“Andalucia” (named after the building where Zild lives and where most of the tracks were recorded D.I.Y.-style) has its tender moments. “Tangerine Boulevard,” and “Paru-Paro” both stand out. But it is “Kabisado” that takes the cake as the unlikely love song for the album.

In a statement, IVOS said that they needed to “prioritize ourselves and our relationship first” and making music before fixing their bond would have felt meaningless. “Andalucia” is a testament to their recovered unity.

Reunited sounds good on IV of Spades.