This week, we look at four songs, tracks or singles that hit us hard. 

These four songs transmitted its message directly in just a few short moves.

Suffice it to say the singers of these tunes did their job well, but we’re here for the why and how of it all. So let’s dig in!

Mark Carpio is a balladeer and has been at it for some time now, so delivering songs of heartbreak and regret ain’t nothing new for this dude. But the “Hiling” singer hit us up with a doozy with “Bawat Sulok.” After some very ballad-y keyboard intro, he sings “Paano kung di nagkamali / nandito ka pa sana / alala nang yong mga halik / parang kahapon lang ngayon wala na” like he lived it.

We get it: guy loves girl, hurts her, girl leaves guy, guy can’t take it. It’s the story almost every guy has and we chose to forget. But there’s something in the way Mark Carpio sings it that makes us think: what if? It’s the question we can’t help but ask but are too afraid for the answers. So, we let songs carry the load for us. God forbid, we’re like Mark when he opines “Sa bawa’t sulok ay ikaw ang natatanaw.”

Never been a fan of Angeline Quinto but I’m having second thoughts. Especially with her new single “Hindi Mawawala.” This ballad sees the singer go for a sparse piano decked song all throughout. And when Angeline starts singing, it’s all drama: “Hindi madali itong mundo / kung san pinagtagpo ikaw at ako / naging payapa sa gitna ng gulo / ngunit tadhana pinaglayo tayo.” And it all goes from there in this grieving yet hopeful tune about love’s loss. Angeline’s vocals are superb and you can actually hear the crackle, hiss and pop like an old record in between the vocals. To which she brings about her message of hope: “Walang mawawala / walang pagsisihan sa lahat ng binigay / ang nagbigay sa akin ng buhay / oksihina sa ‘king paghinga / ‘di kayang mawala.”

Next in line is John Roa who has been a chameleon throughout the years. We have seen him as a rapper, then balladeer and songwriter. But this latest iteration of his is my favorite yet. With “Atmosphere” John seems to borrow from the 80’s, namely Peter Gabriel in this ballad especially in its staccato intro and big chorus. John sings “Oh distance / it makes the heart grow fonder they say” which gives depth to his lyrics later that goes “oh the space and time / between the two of us / been going too long enough / I can’t live a life without your love.” John nails the feeling down of not being able to live without his love on this one and doesn’t even break a sweat.

Then there's Magnus Haven.

The band gets tuneful this time with “Madaling Araw.”

Rajih Mendoza, David Galang, Louise Vaflor, Rey Maestro and Sean Espejo is a Pinoy quintet that deals on alternative and pop rock and this time it is the former on their new single.

Starting with a swinging hard-edged intro, singer Rajih narrates a simple enough story of deceit done unto himself and that’s where the story of this song goes. But with tasty rhythm guitars and melodic fills via Rajih’s falsettos they turn this into a good song worthy of a place in your coveted heartbreak playlist.

So, there you have it—four songs about love and everything that comes with it. As relatable as these songs may be to us, we think you might also glean something from them if you give them a try.