As I write this, the United States of America is celebrating their Independence Day. And it’s not just your ordinary celebration. The U.S. is on its 250th year anniversary so it is a special day indeed!

Being new here, I’m not used to celebrating Independence Day. Pinoys treat it like any other holiday in the Philippines, except maybe Holy Week, the day of the dead and the Yuletide, if you get what I’m saying. But seeing it from the American point of view, I get it. “Happy July fourth!” they go, and that’s a reminder of this very important holiday. Maybe we should be like the Americans in that regard. As in, go out and celebrate, with fireworks and all. That way the message will not be forgotten.

Speaking of fireworks, Luke Mejares dropped a new single, a cover akin to something that Rannie Raymundo might do. The recording, titled “Hanggang Kailan,” is his latest. Tinkling piano intros put you right there, while Luke sings the first few lines: “Minsa’y naging akin ka / ngayon makita lang ay tama na / bakit wala sa piling ko? / siguro’y kasama mo siya nagsasaya / ako’y nagdurusa sa pag-gising sa umaga ay wala ka pa.” The retro sound is apparent but Luke Mejares tempers it beautifully.

Like a jeweler on a gemstone, Luke knows how to work on a song. Turns out, Rannie wrote it with Eric Arboleda a while back, so at least we got that right! Luke breathes new life into this overlooked gem.

Singer Ace Banzuelo should put out more singles this year. He is just a song short of a hit if slow, yearning mid-tempo singles are the norm.

Ah, but he is slowly but surely turning that into a reality with his new single, “Mawala.” Heavy synth sounds accompany Ace in this yearning ballad. Not exactly that one song that will “go over” but it’s one of his heaviest yet.

Leanne & Naara continue to put out beautiful music together. In their new one titled “Not Supposed To Fall In Love,” the duo puts out a basic pop beat over heartbreaking lyrics. It's not so much as what they do as it is how it comes across with this one.

Leanne sings righteously: “I had a feeling I was walking up the wrong tree / I’m stupid enough to think that you were into me,” into a queer love story. But you don’t have to be LBGTQ to feel that this goes out to all who’ve felt love / admiration for the wrong / right reasons.

Newcomer The Red Strings is gearing up for something good. The band’s new release “Nasa Ulap” is all over New Music Friday Philippines on the Spotify charts. That’s a promising sign that this sextet is doing something right. Lively, pop choruses light up “Nasa Ulap” as this band sings about finding love.

“‘Di ka man hinahanap di ka rin pinangarap / kusa kang dumating wala na kong hihingin / puso ko’y nasa ulap kapag ikaw na’ng kayakap” is all that we need to hear to convince us.

The Red Strings also have the singles “Asado” and “Kupido.” Both songs are alright, with catchy intros and bright choruses both guaranteed to keep your head bobbing.