#CulturePH - SB19’s Wakas at Simula: A New Chapter in P-Pop
Even without being at the press launch, the release of SB19’s sophomore album Wakas at Simula feels like a milestone you can sense from afar. Twenty-four tracks deep, the record closes one chapter of their journey while boldly opening another. It’s both a reflection of where they’ve been and a declaration of where they’re headed.
The album stitches together highlights from their trilogy of EPs (Pagsibol, Pagtatag, and Simula at Wakas) with six new songs that push their artistry forward. Pablo, the group’s leader and producer, explained that the goal wasn’t to simply remake old favorites but to reintroduce them with more maturity, warmth, and storytelling. Listening to the reworked tracks, you can feel that growth—their sound is fuller, their emotions sharper, and their delivery more assured.
Among the new songs, “Emoji” stands out not just for its infectious energy but also for its collaboration with Queen of C-Pop, JOLIN. It’s a euphoric anthem that blends Brazilian funk with pop, exploring how people mask emotions behind digital symbols. The music video, with its contrasting glamorous and chaotic dungeon sets, drives home the tension between online personas and real feelings.
Other highlights include “Toyfriend,” a floor-thumping collab with Japanese group BE:FIRST, the soulful R&B groove of “Memories,” the daring textures of “Everblack,” and the emotional ballad “Wakas,” which showcases SB19’s vocal power at its most vulnerable. Together, they form a collection that feels both familiar and fresh—rooted in nostalgia but propelled by evolution.
The timing couldn’t be more fitting. With performances lined up at Lollapalooza in Chicago and Summer Sonic in Tokyo later this year, SB19 is stepping onto some of the biggest stages in the world. Wakas at Simula isn’t just an album—it’s a statement that P-Pop is ready to stand tall in the global arena.
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