I’m keeping it basic this week — top five mellow song releases on this side of Pinoy pop. Keywords are chill and easy.

Starting with Adie in “Piliin.” The singer has kept it spare this year. Only on his second single for 2025 (the first being the neo R&B-tinged “Ms. Pakipot”) and not counting his perfect-on-paper-even-better-in-the-actual collaboration with Moira Dela Torre called “Umpisa” just last October, Adie at least has another tune in the neo soul-esque “Piliin.” Adie is built for this music; groovy with just the right amount of head-bob, his vocals smooth, almost lo-fi, with lyrics suggesting Adie, who hit big with “Paraluman,” is still very much head over heels infatuated with whomever he’s singing about in “Piliin.” Check the cadence: “Sa trip mo handang sabayan / makakasigurong bente-kwatrong oras sa piling ko / yun ay kung pipiliin mo.”

What a year it’s been for Amiel Sol. It wasn’t long ago that the acoustic guitar-toting, soft-voiced balladeer was juggling jobs: one as a call-center agent and the other as a singer-songwriter. Those in his orbit, though, would say the former is Amiel's moonlighting job, whose brand of lyrical love songs is associated with its warm, genial qualities. No way those songs stay inside an office. Sentimental songs about settling down or spending time with ‘the one.’

It's the same theme he has for his latest song titled “Pakikinggan Kita.”

Amiel’s relaxed vocals are at the fore of this iridescent love song about steadfast loyalty. His singing is like the equivalent of hot cocoa or a warm blanket on a cold day when you need comfort. Key line: “Kailanman ay hindi ka abala / Ikwento mo ang bumabagabag / Sumandal ka lang sa aking balikat / Buong gabi kitang pakikinggan.”

Leanne & Narra are practically veterans in the music biz now. But listening to their new single feels like these two school friends-turned-popsters are a fresh spring into the scene. The jazzy acoustic guitar in “Never Goes Away” conjures cafe scenes, fragrant coffee brews, and a bustle of people and conversation. But I can imagine Leanne & Narra singing in the middle of it all, taking turns on a melody (maybe even doing a light counterpoint). Which is exactly what Leanne & Narra is all about. Fave line: “Your love is not just a silly trend / Oh, your love’s more than a one-night stand / And it never goes away.”

Out of the bedroom, into your ears, and to your heart seems like the credo Rhodessa is operating on. It’s been that way since the singer exploded on the scene back in 2023 with “kisame.” And she’s built up from the basic voice-guitar combo from two years ago to the tight, minimalist band sound she’s currently using and to which her new single “Sana Ako Na Lang” is now sporting. Rhodessa gives off some light alt-pop vibes but listening a little closer, she’s still the sanguine songwriter she’s always been since the start. So the sonics might be a little ’90s indie pop, but it’s still that acoustic guitar slinging bedroom songstress Rhodessa at the core. “Manhid ka ba? / Ba’t ba tumitingin pa sa iba / Nasa harapan mo na ako / Patuloy na umaasa sa’yo.”

Finally, there’s Ace Banzuelo. If you haven’t been listening to this singer-songwriter yet, now’s the perfect time with “Hindi Mo Alam.” He’s pretty much indie with a splattering of dreampop on this ethereal-sounding song. Ace hauntingly sings in this rising four-note melody: “Hindi mo alam kung gaano kita iniibig / hindi mo alam parati kita iniisip. If I was a new wave influenced band playing a Pinoy love song today, I’d probably sound like Ace Banzuelo. Which is to say, my highest compliment for Ace Banzuelo.

Keep it chill and easy for the rest of the week.