A few weeks ago, we talked about how it was getting increasingly hard to keep up with the music scenes of the Visayas and Mindanao. Artists dropped release after release, promoters organized some of the best shows and events we’ve seen so far, and we’ve seen the rise of physical media come back with full force.
In no particular order, this is our list of our 20 favorite releases — singles, EPs, and albums — from VisMin this year.
El Elefante – monopolice
It’s hard to describe Monopolice’s place in the music scene — that is their biggest strength and yet their nagging curse. Their debut record, El Elefante, is a polished soundscape of jumpy synths, in-your-face guitars, and punchy drum lines that are unlike any other. It’s not that Monopolice are an acquired taste — in fact, chances are that they’re your favorite artists’ favorite artist — it’s that they are completely in a league of their own.
Metabolic – Kubra Commander
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again — the devil works hard but Bobbi Olvido works harder. The third full-length record from Kubra Commander is a tapestry of Cebuano indie, with assists from a host of notable musicians and producers in the local scene, and Olvido at their helm. Metabolic sounds tighter than previous releases yet expands Kubra Commander’s sound. This is a labor of love and it shows.
Cherry Mobile – felhony, ELEMINO, DOEZA, SIATRO, Vince Lucero
If there’s anything about an ELEMINO & DOEZA, felhony, SIATRO, and Vince Lucero collaboration, it’s that it will always be witty and tongue-in-cheek (peep the shoutout to Rverb’s Jeaun Tolsa: “Light work huh, easy rani / Called Gee Yun, hit nasad ni”). “Cherry Mobile” weaves in that distinct cellphone ringer sound of the 2000s and lays it on top of the club and headbanging production style that SIATRO is known for.
Epitome – D Waviee
Davao’s D Waviee simply stuns in her debut album, Epitome. Her masterful interplay of hyperpop, club, techno, and house influences shine in this record, making her one to watch out for (if you aren’t already watching).
Pretty Pretty – IIICCCYYY
Cebu’s pop princess IIICCCYYY bares her heart and soul in her debut EP, Pretty Pretty and makes it sound, well, pretty. With production work from Karl Lucente, Nikko Tan, and Franciskoe, IIICCCYYY has charted her own path as an artist to pay attention to. Don’t let the J-pop and hyperpop influences fool you — what makes Pretty Pretty shine above the rest is IIICCCYYY’s honesty and vulnerability in her writing.
Sa May Baybayon – Vincent Eco
Vincent Eco is at his very best. As one of the first full releases of 2025, Eco made sure to make a splash with his emotive and heartbreaking EP, Sa May Baybayon — an ode to love, loss, and everything in between. Eco is no stranger with writing about the affairs of the heart, but what makes Sa May Baybayon stand out is the fullness of how the EP sounds and feels. His storytelling is consistent and immersive, and he pays attention to even the smallest details — including sounds of waves crashing onto the shore, hitting his highest notes at the climax of songs, and more.
Quarters – &ND
Bacolod’s &ND are a force to be reckoned with. Their debut EP, Quarters, is something best experienced live. They paint these lush and wide-spanning soundscapes enough to fill an arena. Frontwoman Bea Dolloso’s voice is a guiding light that cuts through the fuzz, and further adds to the emotional aspect of the EP.
wounds of fury – stab.
2025 and beyond belong to stab. The Cebuano hardcore band are making waves all over the country and abroad for a reason, and their debut record wounds of fury showcase the best of the band so far.
SWITO – D-GARS ft. Badoo Go
D-GARS can be a hit or miss sometimes, but “SWITO” off his latest record, RASTA ROCKSTA, is equal parts smooth and dancey. You can’t help but move your head along to his flow and the synth-driven beat.
Coloura – Coloura
2025 saw the arrival of Coloura’s highly-anticipated debut album. The four-piece lean into their pop-rock signature sound, with a few tracks seemingly coming out of left field. The record feels familiar yet new for old-time listeners of the band, and is a great introduction to your new favorite band.
Genesynthesis – Vedas
An underground favorite, Vedas’ debut album brings a refreshing psych rock sound to the Cebu music scene. Meditative, spiritual, and emotive in all the right ways, Genesynthesis is one of the reasons that prove that the Vedas should be on everyone’s playlists.
Cigarettes, Beer, & Stray Cats – tuesday trinkets
Davao’s rising stars tuesday trinkets channel youth in their debut single, “Cigarettes, Beer, & Stray Cats.” There’s an honesty and vulnerability that only comes with that signature ’90s-esque acoustic guitar and vocals. It’s exciting to see where this band will go in 2026 and beyond.
Still Hostile – Cebu City Hardcore Compilation
Still Ill Records and Hostile Youth team up in this great introduction to the current crop of Cebu’s rising hardcore acts: stab., Grip, Sift, SEPHTIS, and NERVEVINETURBINE. As one of the only local releases on vinyl, the compilation has made its way to shops and collectives all over the country and even abroad. If you want a taste test of what Cebuano hardcore sounds like, this is good starting point.
Heavy Rain – Hollywood Folk Hogan
Released as a single ahead of their debut record, Road To Miracle Mile, Hollywood Folk Hogan’s “Heavy Rain” is a country and blues fan’s paradise. Frontman Ricky Coyoca’s distinct, high-register vocals paired with the slow yet full instrumentals paint a picture of deserts, cowboys, and the long ride home. It’s a refreshing sound to hear in the great landscape of things.
NAKA BLACK – Delinquent Society
When Davao’s Delinquent Society hard launched their comeback at the tail-end of 2024, expectations were immediately set high. Their first single of 2025, “NAKA BLACK,” is all in-your-face goodness. The track is busy with ad libs and hard-hitting bars aplenty, making it one of their strongest tracks to date.
My first kiss (and probably your last) – Boylosers
Dumaguete-based young bloods Boylosers made a resounding debut with “My first kiss (and probably your last).” The track is raw and rough around the edges — perfectly encapsulating that youthful energy that the band brings.
Leftover Love (St3r10 Remix) – SUGARKISS
St3r10 completely flips “Leftover Love” in his drum-and-bass remix of her 2024 single. The remix is still sonically refreshing, true to St3r10’s style, but still retains that haunting and dark sonic signature of Sugarkiss’s music. This is a great remix that still stays true to the original track, but adds a different dimension in a way that you don’t expect.
Heartfelt Destruction – Awkward Dancer
Awkward Dancer has made their name as one of the fastest-growing bands coming out of Cebu today, and for good reason. “Heartfelt Destruction” off their 2025 EP, Awkward Dancer V.S. Heartfelt Destruction sees the band leaning into more emo influences, before they blend genres and switch into garage-shoegaze territory.
The EP itself is a great follow-up to their critically-acclaimed debut record, Awkward Dancer V.S. The Harmless Devil. If anything, this continues to prove that the four-piece are a band to watch out for.
Baduy – VVINK, DJ Love, Pio Balbuena
There are very few people who can say that they have truly changed the course of Filipino music — and FlipMusic is one of them. With the rise (and gentrification) of budots, those who want to ride the wave tend to just cherry pick its sonic elements or smush it somewhere in the song without tying it back to the rest of the track. In “Baduy,” FlipMusic co-produces the track with DJ Love, making the track truly maximalist, experimental, and budots from end-to-end. The Waray rap and Pio Balbuena’s Andrew E-esque delivery complements the whole track well. This is a truly innovative song and other P-pop companies should be paying attention.
laundry song – Wiji Kun
There are a few artists who are as prolific as Wiji Kun. While his harder-hitting tracks like “GO HOME” or “Good Times” are crowd favorites and can get the audience jumping, the pared back production and lyricism in “laundry song” make the song feel deeply intimate, vulnerable, and emotional. This is an understated yet underrated track in Wiji’s discography.
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