Foo Fighters announces new album
THE FOO Fighters debuted their new single “Shame Shame” on the Nov. 7 episode of Saturday Night Live. “Shame Shame” is the first taste of the band’s forthcoming 10th album, Medicine at Midnight, due out Feb. 5, 2021 on Roswell Records/RCA Records. The latest from Foo Fighters earned glowing reviews from music critics on the day of its release, with Stereogum calling it “a refreshing twist on their signature sound that doesn’t reach for trends” and praising the new direction for its “percussive, and slightly funky” approach. The tenth studio album is produced by Greg Kurstin and Foo Fighters, engineered by Darrell Thorp and mixed by Mark “Spike” Stent. It packs nine songs into a tight 37 minutes. Medicine at Midnight is now available for pre-order, and includes a limited-edition purple swirl vinyl version, available exclusively at http://smarturl.it/FFOnlineStore.
Ben&Ben releases video for ‘Di Ka Sayang’
BEN&BEN’S new single “Di Ka Sayang” surpassed expectations when it trended at No.1 worldwide on Twitter and debuted at the top spot of Spotify Philippines’ top 50 overall chart upon release. Following its debut, Ben&Ben dropped the official music video on Nov. 9 Helmed by Jorel Lising, the band’s frequent collaborator and the director behind their hits “Pagtingin” and “Nakikinig Ka Ba Sa Akin,” the visual accompaniment of the song follows the band performing in random intimate spaces with Kintsugi artform as the backdrop. Ben&Ben released a special BBTV episode on their YouTube channel. The music video of “Di Ka Sayang” is now available on YouTube.
Viber releases mini-video series
TO CELEBRATE its 10th anniversary, Viber turns the spotlight on its users by launching Heroes of Viber, a mini-video series that features 14 unique stories of how the app had an impact on people’s lives around the world. Among the featured Viber heroes are Filipino superadmins KG Sison and Celina Payawal, whose Communities became popular amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Sison is the founder of Homebaking Community, which was initially dedicated to bakers who were looking for supplies before evolving into a support group for baking enthusiasts during quarantine. Payawal, meanwhile, is the creator of Gym & Fitness Marketplace MM, which helps sellers of workout equipment connect with potential buyers who want to stay fit and healthy especially in a pandemic. Other “heroes” featured in the video campaign are Russia’s Alena, a mother who started a gardening Community all while taking care of a disabled child; Iraq’s Shelan, a kindergarten teacher who created a Community to share her lessons with her students during the pandemic; Bulgaria’s Dr. Stilyana Tomova who used Viber to allow parents to see their premature babies through video calls; Ukraine’s Dr. Yaroslav Kureza who launched the Take the Medic Community to connect medical frontliners to volunteers who’d give them a ride to the hospital while the public transportation services were halted; and Sri Lanka’s Gayan and Gavindi whose love story started with a simple Viber sticker. “Heroes” from Algeria, Greece, Serbia, and Nepal complete the short video series.
Gloc-9 teams up with UE Jam Sessions
RAPPER Gloc-9 contributed a verse on the acoustic version of UE Jam Sessions’ retitled track, “Lalaban Tayo (The Renewal of Honors).” With a message that champions the spirit of Filipino bayanihan in the pandemic crisis, the award-winning hip-hop artist called for solidarity in a bid to rise above the uncertainty of the times. As featured main artists, the UE Jam Sessions delivered a stripped-down but empowering take on an anthem that serves as tribute to the unsung heroes: the frontliners. UE Jam Sessions’ “Lalaban Tayo (The Renewal of Honors)” featuring Gloc-9 is now available on all streaming platforms worldwide.
Sayaw Record’s debut release
DJS MICA (UK) and Alinep, who are both known in Manila’s underground electronic music community, have joined forces to launch Sayaw Records, a non-commercial electronic music label based here in the Philippines. For their debut release, they have brought together some of the country’s top electronic music producers for a 15-track compilation entitled Sayawan Vol. 1, which will be released on Dec. 11. The music label will also be launching a Sayaw Radio Show on Z Hostel Radio, a platform where they will dive deeper into getting to know the artists on the compilation, as well as reveal the musicians they will be collaborating with in the near future. The record will premiere on Nov. 17, pre-orders will be accepted starting Nov. 27, and the release date will be on Dec. 11.
New premieres on HBO and HBO GO
HBO and HBO GO offer a dose of laughter this November with Jesters: The Game Changers, about a troupe of goofballs hired to bring out the best positive rumors about the ruling king of Joseon Korea. Follow the funny misadventures of Deok-Ho and his troupe as they attempt to put King Sejo into good light starting Nov. 13, 10 p.m., on HBO GO and RED by HBO. Meanwhile, the HBO GO and HBO premiere of the film Last Christmas — where a store Christmas elf gets her Christmas spirit back — will be on Nov. 21, 9 p.m. Aficionados of action films and thrillers will enjoy HBO and HBO GO bring new shows and movie titles this month. Learn more about the ins and outs set in the financial world with the newest HBO Original, Industry, which premiered on Nov. 10. New episodes will premiere every Tuesday, 10 a.m., with each episode encoreing the same day at 11 p.m. on HBO. The late Chadwick Boseman shows more of his action skills in the upcoming movie premiere of his last theatrically released film, 21 Bridges, on HBO GO on Nov. 14, 9 p.m. Boseman plays an embattled New York Police detective who hunts down alleged cop killers while unravelling a hidden conspiracy that will change his life forever. Meanwhile, His Dark Materials Season 2 premieres on Nov. 17, 10 a.m. on HBO GO and HBO, with new episodes every Tuesday. Each episode encores the same night at 10 p.m. on HBO. The Big Bang Theory’s Kaley Cuoco stars in The Flight Attendant, which will premiere on Nov. 26 on HBO GO. The film revolves around a flight attendant waking up in the wrong hotel, next to a dead man — with no idea what happened. This dark comedic thriller is based on the novel by New York Times best-selling author Chris Bohjalia. Download the HBO GO app at the App Store or Play Store on your device and enjoy a seven-day free trial. Access HBO GO via Cignal or at https://www.hbogoasia.com/. HBO GO can now be accessed via Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV — and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.
Vanna released new EP
VANNA’s five-track EP High Hopes has been three years in the making, and is produced by Roy Avital of Tel Aviv-based, indie-electronic trio Garden City Movement and mastered by Matt Colton (James Blake, Muse, Coldplay). Delivering a delicate fusion of indie electronic, pop, and folk influenced by artists like RY X, Oscar and the Wolf, SYML and Sóley, VANNA’s latest EP maps her personal journey into falling in love and hurting, rediscovering her inner self and unearthing past traumas, owning up to her sexuality, and speaking up about issues that are close to her heart. The eclectic record is accompanied with the release of a brand new single called “All I See.”
PhilPop releases third batch of songs
THE PHILPOP song contest has officially released the songs from the North Luzon clusters.The latest batch balances drama and introspection as it gravitates toward themes of unrequited love, romantic dissolution, and abusive relationships. Produced with professional polish and help from PhilPop, the newest selection includes “Paos,” composed by Angelic Mateo and interpreted by Keiko Necessario; “Balikan,” composed by Lolito Go and interpreted by Benj Manalo and the Collective; and “Agsardeng,” composed by TJ Paeldon and Abby Esteban, and interpreted by Miss Ramone. Distributed by Warner Music Philippines, the homegrown songs are now available on all digital and streaming platforms worldwide via PhilPop.
