THE 23 BEST LOCAL TRACKS OF 2017
THE 23 BEST LOCAL TRACKS OF 2017
[Written By Protagonist]
Looking over our list of the 23 best tracks that emerged from 2017, we can easily say how dynamic it’s become. But this listicle took me forever to write, it took a lot of time to select a handful of outstanding tracks because 2017 was a year of creative releases. I was lucky enough to watch a lot of live gigs/acts last year (20+ gigs I guess?), it was hella tiring but I enjoyed every step of the way.
Just to mention, a lot of things are happening in our local music now and it’s going beyond the typical subjects that we always listen to. It’s been a quite of an experimental phase for the people new to the scene, I must say. Certain setbacks from the scene didn’t stop these great artists to produce wonderful music. Our artists are now striving for something completely new and acceptable, and surprisingly they've generated some excellent songs in the process.
This list includes a few of my favorites, and I’m hopeful that you'll agree.
23) IAFLS (It's A Fucking Love Song)- CLRof1218
Makati based emcee CLR gave balance to the importance of storytelling and showcasing his own style in this track. Lyrically, it’s surface level but it hits the spot – not too aggressive or too shallow. This catchy song revolves around falling in love again and meeting someone beyond your expectations. See, I told you it’s a love song.
22) Conversational Liar – She’s Only Sixteen
One of the most memorable tracks on their new album, She’s Only Sixteen’s ‘Conversational Liar’ is the song I’ve listened to repeatedly compared to ‘Magic’. The track is charming with its great vocals combined with modest instrumentals. I like how it continues to give me this light and hip sensation every time I listen to it. The guitar work was not over the top, it’s apt and appealing.
21) Ngayon Gabi - Al James
This track might be considered as our version of trap music. It’s impressive how this song lingers for quite some time; it doesn’t tire you out even if you’ll listen to it more than 5x in a row (which I did). It’s a confusion of wanting someone so much and giving them the freedom to choose whatever they want to do.
20) Hayop – Illustrado
I’ve watched Illustrado live for a few times and this song explains what I feel every time – completely intense. The violin sample was the best fit; it gave the track a smooth and coherent grasp. I considered this track as a lyrical exercise in an indulgence of an old-school production. The bars of this song are outrageously well done, even though it still sounds like battle-rap.
19) Mga Hunghong Ug Taghoy Sa Mga Kagwang - Kagwang
It is obvious that Kaloy Olavides can’t do anything wrong. Teaming up with Ron Francisco for this whole project, it exhibited how a 48-minute track came out to be unpredictable. It went to aggressive to a certain verse that would uncover Kaloy’s voice, in which Admin Recluse’s words a “recall of Sonic Youth”. It’s a musical risk to any listener but the entire zone of listening to this track is truly worthwhile. A long track is expected to be dragging and unexciting – but this track is surely a surprise.
18) Kathang Isip - Ben&Ben
Folk (or even folk-pop) is something that I’m really attached to and Ben&Ben is surely bringing something to the table. The soft and slow start of Kathang Isip gave emphasis to the richness of the twins’ voices. And while this track would place you in a position for apologizing for what you’re feeling, I must say that unrequited love was less (or more painful) while listening to this song.
17) The End (An Ode to Nihilist Memes) – The Geeks
Slacker-rock boys The Geeks is not just a younger version of Ciudad. ‘The End’ encompasses the band's nihilistic identity, opening with a slacker-rock chord progression then transitioning into grungy noise. Its tongue-in-cheek lyrics are just on the spot and fits perfectly for this track.
16) Repetition - Neverdie
I’m not usually into hardcore bands (just because I think most of the songs are too short and it limits my whole experience) but melodic hardcore/pop-punk band Neverdie is definitely an exception. The hard-hitting chord progression fits perfectly with the ferocity of its vocals. After this song, I definitely wanted to hear more.
15) Icarus - Sound Architects
Sound Architects is one of the most sought-after post-rock bands in the country. Icarus is a welcome reminder that more than perhaps most genres, post-rock can translate particularly well across borders. This track has a more modern, progressive rock vibe to it.
14) Deadlines - Luncheon
I always think that Luncheon is an international band, which is a good thing for me by the way. In this track, the pop-punk trio exhibited a pretty good instrumentation, the combination of heavy bass and drums without complying to the required “pop-punk” breakdown convinced me that Luncheon lives and might go beyond my expectations.
13) Safer – slutgirl
Fei Cayabyab’s Safer is one of the finest and cleanest tracks on this list. Safer is soft and vulnerable, every layer of the instrumental is perfect for this song and feeling. The song expresses deep affection towards someone who makes you feel protected but at the same time, it dictates the treatment you want to receive.
12) (i’ll get by) - Megumi Acorda
Megumi Acorda’s solo material is something I really look forward to. (i’ll get by) embodies dream pop so accurately with its tight guitar lines combined with a calm completed voice that left me with a serene experience. This track is a flow of questions to someone you’re unsure of what (relationship) you have but it ended up lamenting the loss chances with this person due to the impact of uncertainties. I’m keeping my notifications on to Megumi’s new releases this year.
11) Forever - Palepaths
Aside from Neverdie, another melodic hardcore band I love to listen to is Palepaths. Forever is one noteworthy hardcore track for me. It was cleanly-sang, the Touche Amore style is still very much noticeable but I still want more songs like this from this band. Forever uses a number of the previously successful melodic hardcore techniques to another standard. This track is such a solid effort from Palepaths with seamless transitions combined with well-written lyrics (though a little vague, it was appealing).
10) Numb – Ruru
I’m a fan of Ruru since her ‘sounds of the mundane (demos)’ on Bandcamp. I even went to a bedroom pop gig last year just to watch her play live (and she was damn good). Out of all the tracks from her album ‘Sleep’, Numb was the most outstanding one for me. It gives you a light intro that transitions to a slow build up from washes of instrumentals, but even as the music ebbs and flows, Ruru’s voice float through.
9) Eternal Sunshine - backflip3000
Eternal Sunshine brought me into an emotional wormhole. The song was written with a high level of genuineness that connects to a certain part of a listener, especially when you get to digest its lyrics. The fuzz-drenched sound effects that bounded this entire lo-fi masterpiece completed the whole experience of over thinking a possible relationship with someone.
8) Naked at Three - Ian Penn
As much admiration for Ian Penn, Naked at Three is absolutely his best track to date. It consists of fresh melodies and understated guitar playing covering tight and high-lonesome harmonies. Every time the song begins, I always imagine that Ian’s singing this song to me. It gives me a deeper connection to this art piece and the story I’m constantly telling myself.
7) ISO 100 - Musical O
Math rock band Musical O excites me every time I listen to them. ISO 100 has always felt like my “shoulder to cry on” song, in a sense that I want to feel all the pain at once then entirely end it. ISO 100 exhibits the inactiveness and nuances of someone you value. This tracks creative guitar play, outside-the-box structure, decent vocal delivery, and personal lyrics made it worth your time and attention.
6) Minimize - B.P Valenzuela
B.P’s track ‘Minimize’ together with Nick Lazaro, is a song lingers in my ear until now. I can’t believe how B.P’s voice sufficed the beauty of the song in the beginning. The beats were smoothly layered and arranged, giving it a more straightforward experience. Content-wise, it’s a song that explains a lot of my experiences as a girl who always want something, it’s like an endless craving and deprivation at the same time, hence the lyrics: “I want you, I can't have you, so I want you more”.
5) Caught Me At The Worst Time - Ciudad
All-time fave / indie-rock vets Ciudad is back together with a nifty MV. ‘Caught Me At The Worst Time’ showed Ciudad’s trademark nerdy-pop style (in my forecasting, it will never go out of style if it’s Ciudad). Mikey’s voice resonates throughout the song complimenting its decent instrumentals. The lyrics are heartfelt, shared and surprisingly consists of a strong tonality. As Ciudad makes a comeback, I hope new comers in the scene would take the time to listen to this band's great legacy.
4) Marilag – Munimuni
Makata-pop babies Munimuni produced one of the finest EP last year. It’s raw and strongly appealing then it gives you an overwhelming experience. ‘Marilag’ showcases how their flutist gives a valuable addition to the whole awe-inspiring experience; you can hear clearly how the vocals worked around the entire instrumentals. ‘Marilag’ has the earnest lyrics you’ll ever see. On the other hand, I’ve listened to ‘Sa Hindi Pag-alala’ outrageously over the holidays. I felt like all the songs in their EP emotionally targeted a piece of me.
3) Executive Order – Calix
Ghetto priest/Yakiniku lover Calix definitely released the best album of 2017. It was the time for hip-hop to rise again and Calix is part of the pack leading it. ‘Executive Order’ is a complete exhibition of the struggles and complexity of the current administration. Socially conscious hip-hop tracks like ‘Executive Order’ creates a ripple to its listeners and changes how they perceive the society. This is not just an extension of Calix’s ideals but a call for social practice. It is hard to put into words the contribution of Calix’s political advocacy, but one effect of this is opening a discourse on related issues such as government inaction, corruption, accountability and human rights abuses that were tackled in this track.
2) Nanlaban – Bandido
As a college band, Bandido came out as a surprise last year. Their track ‘Nanlaban’ is not just empirical but it cuts across multiple societal issues specifically targeting the ongoing war on drugs of the current administration. The song tells the unintended consequences of the policy and the extra baggage it comes with. The technicalities of the song were not as complex as it seems but it was greatly produced. The vocals were emphasized to send a clear message to their listeners. Lyrically, the song was written passive-aggressively but we must admit the reality that’s attached to it.
1) Sing Along 4 U – Waiian
Kartell’em member Waiian is one of the new kids on the block that you need to watch out for. ‘Sing Along 4 U’ is a wholesome love song created by Waiian for you to gush around. The flow was beautifully laid down matched with lyrics that will make you feel like you deserve something good in this cruel world. The slow progression of the track starts with Waiian introducing himself and stating all the nice things he can do for/with you. The entire track exudes simplicity and sincerity that will suffice your emotional needs.
Mentioning the things he needs to sacrifice in order to persuade the ‘realness’ of his feelings, Waiian exhibited quite some skills to convince someone to believe him. It’s a song that’s on repeat on my playlist because you can never get tired of someone appreciating your existence.
