2025 was a year of releases from Visayas and Mindanao. And to be completely honest, we missed covering a lot of them. If you’re like us and can’t keep up, this non-exhaustive list features a host of different genres — from pop, R&B, indie, to hardcore, and beyond.
Check back next month as we unveil our top picks from this year.
Awkward Dancer V.S. Heartfelt Destruction — Awkward Dancer
Local favorites Awkward Dancer made a triumphant return this year with the release of their four-track EP, Awkward Dancer V.S. Heartfelt Destruction. The EP follows last year’s stellar debut album, Awkward Dancer V.S. The Harmless Devil, and proves that the four-piece band are just beginning. Their latest release sees the band developing their signature sound — ambient yet punchy guitars, ringing vocals, and larger-than-life percussions.
Focus track: Leave the House
wounds of fury — stab.
Cebu’s stab. don’t hold back punches in their standout debut album, wounds of fury. The band have made waves not just in the Philippines, but internationally for their fusion of different genres into their own blend of hardcore. If you’re not listening to stab. yet, you’re missing out.
Focus tracks: watchyoudie, your enemy (ft. Natural Human Instinct), blind witness
Literally every Kubra Commander single released this year
The devil works hard but Bobbi Olvido works harder. The indie stalwart released not one, not two, but five new singles this year, in the lead up to his third album, Metabolic. Olvido leans into his post-Britpop influences across the five singles, whether they range from ambient ballads like the recently released “Life on the Moon” to the funk and groove-driven “On The Outside.”
Upside Down — IIICCCYYY, D Waviee, IRDSCNT
2025 is a busy year for Cebu’s rising pop star, IIICCCYYY. Hot off the release of her debut EP, Pretty Pretty, she premiered two collaborations to cap off her EP run — the bubbly dance track, “Upside Down” featuring Davao’s D Waviee and IRDSCNT and the newly released glitchpop single “ghaddamn” featuring ONEFLOOR.
2 eyes — Sugarkiss
Sugarkiss returns with a haunting Halloween-themed track, “2 eyes.” Produced by Vince Lucero and co-produced by Wiji Balazo and Francis Gatmaitan of Nevermnd Studios, the song sees Diane Tungol solidifying her brand of refreshing dark pop.
Past Love — KRNA
Cagayan de Oro’s dreampop favorites KRNA make a comeback with the release of their latest Bandcamp-only single, “Past Love.” Frontwoman KC Salazar’s haunting voice perseveres and rings throughout the track, greatly complementing the soaring drums and ambient guitars.
Epitome — D Waviee
There’s no one doing it quite like Davao-raised artist-producer D Waviee. Her latest record, Epitome, is maximalist and unforgettable in all the best ways. This is undoubtedly one of the best full-length releases of the year.
Focus tracks: Call Me (ft. IRDSCNT), Free The Ladyboys, COA (Techno Flip)
IDONTKNOW — Zeke Abella
Comedian-singer Zeke Abella returns with an emotional R&B ballad that just oozes yearning. “IDONTKNOW” sees Abella showing off his vocal prowess in a sexy and absolutely earworm-worthy way. Watch out world, because there’s more to the comedian than meets the eye.
Road to Miracle Mile — Hollywood Folk Hogan
Country and alternative rock outfit Hollywood Folk Hogan have finally dropped their debut album. Road to Miracle Mile is nostalgic yet refreshing, with memorable blues licks and frontman Ricky Coyoca’s crooning vocals.
Focus tracks: Churches, 1969, 420
Samantha — The Qings
Pop quintet The Qings follow up their 2024 EP with their Vispop single, “Samantha.” A play on “unsa man ta?” (what are we?), the track is a headbopper that brings in funky synths, unexpected riffs, and a catchy hook to boot.
Desired Life — Cosmic Kid
Shoegaze band Cosmic Kid lean into indie rock and midwest emo territories with their latest single, “Desired Life.” The lead riff is unforgettable, and as the song ascends into a growling half-time breakdown, it proves that this band is one to watch out for.
Zombies — Foc Fashion
Split between Singapore and Cebu, Foc Fashion channel the groove of the indie rock of the early noughts. “Zombies” is hard-hitting and dance-driven, with the synth hits perfectly complementing the punchy drums and ringing guitars.
Can You Feel It — The Queens, Pulsing Chunky
Local Iloilo favorites The Queens and Pulsing Chunky team up for “Can You Feel It,” off Pulsing Chunky’s latest record, Dandelion. The Queens’ Lilith Brendan’s vocals simply soar throughout the track, bringing a freshness to Pulsing Chunky’s sound.
Drench — The Midnight Greetings
Shoegaze and dreampop outfit The Midnight Greetings go full atmospheric and ambient in their debut record, Drench. The record opens with a moving monologue, featuring Paula Pagalan of folk duo Tokay Mara, before launching into a hazy and fuzzy blend of guitars.
Focus tracks: Out of My Head (ft. Paula Pagalan of Tokay Mara), Mydeepestsink
headlights — Marcid
Dumaguete’s Marcid dropped two singles this year — “headlights” and “Eggshell,” stellar follow ups to their debut album, Chlorinate. The band continues to tread the line between emo and shoegaze, with the vocals ranging from reverb-heavy lines to clear-as-day growling.
El Elefante — monopolice
Monopolice is your favorite artist’s favorite artist. Their debut album, El Elefante, is an absolute sonic treat. Fronted by producer-engineer Miguel Lim, El Elefante is 10 songs of synth accents, heavy drums, and guitars that are right in your ear. It’s maximalist and genre-bending in a way that you can only describe as “alternative.”
Focus tracks: A Fine Day For A Swim, Hunter, Legion
Through the Motions — Vegtable
While slowcore band Vegtable is based in Singapore, their debut record, Through the Motions comes with a surprise — “Your Amnesia” features two minutes of a monologue in Bisaya. Conceptualized and co-written by Cebuano Dan Borces (of Subsonic Eye), the track and the record itself is haunting and ambient.
Focus tracks: Your Amnesia, Transit
The Ajirakuns — Ajirakun
Cebuano band Ajirakun debuted their latest record, The Ajirakuns, earlier this year. The release is your bread-and-butter pop punk, with hints of J-rock influences here and there.
Focus tracks: Girls Japan!, You Right She Left
Choose Me — Munchkin Ouano
Cagayan de Oro’s Munchkin Ouano blends R&B, pop, and soul in her comeback single, “Choose Me.” The lounge track shows off Ouano’s deep vocal chops laid on top of sweeping piano lines and a simple percussion beat.
Crestfall — Precal Dropouts
Davao’s rising shoegaze fusion act Precal Dropouts dropped their latest EP, Crestfall, in January of this year. The four-track release sees the band exploring their ambient roots while also showing off their different sides, with acoustic tracks like “There & Back Again,” and a glitchy, hyperpop remix of their track with IRDSCNT, “Moving Fourth.”
Focus tracks: Saoirse, Moving Fourth (ft. IRDSCNT) [Remix]
Sin Lab — Kate Livewire
Singer-songwriter Kate Livewire teams up with producer St3r10 for her debut album, Sin Lab. The alt-pop record is tender, vulnerable, and wholly Kate.
Focus tracks: Bring You Back, Childhood, Without You
wishful thinking — Chelsea Dawn
Dumaguete’s Chelsea Dawn returns with her second collaboration with The Midnight Greetings’ Redd Odilao, “wishful thinking.” Chelsea Dawn’s distinct vocals only elevate the emotion in her heartbreaking lyricism.
quarters — &ND
Bacolod shoegaze quintet &ND are rising stars for a reason. Their debut EP, quarters, is emotive and in-your-face. Their ability to create soundscapes that aren’t one-note shines throughout this record.
Focus track: 2nd Room
Genesynthesis — Vedas
If you’re looking for something refreshingly new, psych rock trio Vedas is your best bet. Their debut album, Genesynthesis, is pure spiritual music for when you want to ascend into a different plane.
Focus tracks: Dozen of Crickets, Kosmiche Kosmik
En Passant Vol. 1 — Pawn Records Compilation
Cebuano mom and pop record Pawn Records debuted their En Passant Vol. 1 compilation in the wake of the devastating 6.9 magnitude earthquake that rocked Cebu earlier this year. 21 Pawn artists come together with a host of previously-unreleased tracks in this compilation — with genres ranging from shoegaze, indie, to punk, and more. All proceeds from the compilation sales go to relief efforts to help affected communities recover. Physical copies of the compilation are also available at Filla Killa Shop in Atua Midtown, Cebu.
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