These tunes are perfect for kicking off the new yearprogressive slots
wagi8
Just this January, the late Mac Miller will be releasing his second posthumous album “Balloonerism” following 2020’s “Circles.” The Weeknd is also returning with his first album in three years with “Hurry Up Tomorrow.”
As early as now, we’re also getting some unexpected collaborations like Flo Rida’s team-up with Heesung and Jake of Enhypen, and LiSA’s “Solo Leveling” opening with Felix of Stray Kids. There’s much to choose from, but here’s our selection of the best new releases to start the year.
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“Afterthought” – Jolianne
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Acting Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque said the companies reaffirmed their investment plans in the Philippines during her visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Oct. 3 to 5.
In its latest report on fiscal policy, the IMF said it expects global public debt to hit 93 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP) this year, and to approach 100 percent of GDP by 2030 – 10 percentage points higher than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
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The young Careless artist is coming off a strong 2024. Last year, she guested in Arthur Nery’s second studio album, “II: The Second,” and Crwn’s debut project, “Séance.” For her solo efforts, she released “Dili Na Lang” for Philpop X Himig Handog, and “I’ll Be Somebody You Want” and “Plain Girl” ahead of her first EP coming this month.
Jolianne picks up where she left off with “Afterthought,” a punchy yet smooth R&B track. The song talks about being satisfied with not being prioritized by the person they like. Though a red flag to some, you’d be surprised by how many will likely relate to the new release.
“The World Is So Small” – Paolo Sandejas
Paolo Sandejas first caught the ears of listeners in 2018 with “My Girl” and “After Hours.” Since then, he has established himself as a young talent to watch out for with his indie pop sound and his unique, sultry vocals.
“The World Is So Small,” at first glance, may seem like your typical indie album with the usual soft rock guitars and a four-on-the-floor beat—picture yourself as Logan Lerman in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and you’ll visualize the type of music we’re talking about. But with tracks such as “Manila to LA,” “All the time,” and the album’s title track, “The World Is So Small” reveals itself as a refreshing addition to Sandejas’ growing discography.
“Not That Girl” – Barbie Almabis
Barbie Almabis took over the radio waves in the early 2000s but she’s not showing signs of slowing down. “Not That Girl,” her fifth studio album, shows us a renewed artist with her iconic yet subtle vocal, paired with both rock and digital influences.
The release is highly experimental and, unfortunately, doesn’t always stick the landing—where Almabis’ soft tone is overpowered by the aggressive and odd-fitting accompaniment. But, she finds her mark, especially on songs such as “Homeostasis” and “Happy Sad.”
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“Half Horse Half Man” – OCT
Yes, this song is a meme and our modern equivalent of 2013’s “The Fox (What Does The Fox Say?),” but “Half Horse Half Man” is a bop in the rough—if you can get past its absurd and unserious subject matter. However, that shouldn’t be a problem with its catchy melody and masterful lyricism: “My mom’s my mom/My dad’s a horse/The two of them had intercourse/I’m traumatized by their divorce.” Peak musicality.
“CBZ (Prime time)” – BSS
Ahead of their “Right Here World Tour” performances at the Philippine Sports Stadium this weekend, BSS of Seventeen just released their latest single album “Teleparty.”
“CBZ (Prime time),” the lead song from the project is their follow-up to the highly-successful “Fighting” in 2023. Though not quite as impactful and in-your-face as its predecessor, “CBZ” is no slouch either. Instead, it retains the catchiness BSS is now known for while showcasing an even higher level of energy with its blues, country, and soul influences.
“Confessions” – Flo Rida (feat. Heesung and Jake of Enhypen X Paul Russell)
Now, this is an unlikely combo and a mismatch separated by at least a decade—at least on paper. Surprisingly, Heesung and Jake blend well with Flo Rida’s older rap style, and Paul Russel’s laid-back vocals, making for an easy listen to 2025’s first summer track.
“ReawakeR” LiSA (feat. Felix of Stray Kids)
“Solo Leveling” was among the highest-rated and viewed animes in 2024. With the arrival of its second season, its opening song could not disappoint—and how could LiSA too, who is best known for “Gurenge” for season one of “Demon Slayer.”
“Hug” – Riize
SM Entertainment’s Riize starts the year with a wonderful rendition of TVXQ!’s “Hug.” The cover pays homage to early K-pop’s traditional boybands and its nostalgia-inducing era of K-dramas while highlighting the group’s individuality and uniqueness. It’s exactly the type of song you’d hear in an episode of “Boys Over Flowers.”
“Balloonerism” – Mac MillerView this post on Instagram
“Balloonerism” is the late Mac Millers’ second posthumous album following “Circles” in 2020. The 14-track project features a series of unreleased songs made in 2014, including the SZA collab, “DJ’s Chord Organ.”
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“Hurry Up Tomorrow” – The Weeknd
Though unreleased as of yetwagi8, it’s worth noting that The Weeknd is finally coming back (after the fiasco that was “The Idol”) for his first studio album in three years. However, due to the Los Angeles fires, the multi-Grammy award winner notably postponed both the project’s release and his one-night Rose Bowl concert. “Hurry Up Tomorrow” will be dropping on Jan. 31 and includes earlier released singles such as “Dancing In The Flames” and “Timeless.”