Pinoy Pride: A Review Of Paradise Rising’s First EP, 'Semilucent'
By Christianne Gormley
Growing up Filipino, there were two things besides amazing food that were staples at my house, one of them being a karaoke machine, and the other being Original Pilipino Music—most recognized as OPM. Whether these songs were listened to when they played on TV or when aunties and uncles covered them on karaoke, it was easily realized at a young age how much music plays a huge part in my culture.
Today, some popular artists you might recognize from Filipino descent are Bruno Mars, Saweetie, and Apl.de.ap from the Black Eyed Peas. But, look out, we are conquering the game in a different setting, creating a new name and space for us, internationally.
For example, 88rising has succeeded by signing emerging Asian and Asian-American artists all over the globe including Joji, Rich Brian, and NIKI. And it was in July that they announced their partnership with popular Philippine telecommunications company, Globe, creating Paradise Rising, a label specifically highlighting emerging artists who were born and bred in the Philippines.
On July 31, Paradise Rising released their first EP, Semilucent, an alternative R&B, indie-pop, and hip hop mixtape featuring some artists with recognizable last names that anyone from a Filipino household would know. For example, if you are Filipino, you most likely have heard of Gary Valenciano or Ogie Alcasid—their daughters (Leila Alcasid and Kiana V) and the talented Pinoy artists beside them have created a name for themselves with Paradise Rising, taking listeners on an iridescent musical expedition and introducing them to the new era of OPM.
Endlessly + Tenderly - Jason Dhakal
Stopping by the first track, Paradise Rising introduces you to Jason Dhakal, an Oman native based in the Philippines. With over 1.5 million streams of his song “Body & Soul” on Spotify, his song “Endlessly+Tenderly” pulls you into a world of R&B and smooth jazz, featuring harmonious vocals and reminding me of the beautiful work of artists such as Daniel Caesar and Leon Bridges. The lyrics read:
My darling, I'm endlessly yours, so
Hm, honey, I'm tenderly yours, yours, yours
If you’re looking for a song that sets the mood for the perfect, slo-mo night with a lover, or simply, an ethereal escape, Dhakal has the track for you and sets the tone for the entire EP with this ballad.
Clouds - Leila Alcasid & Moophs
Coming from a line of well-known Filipino entertainers (i.e. her dad being Filipino TV personality, Ogie Alcasid; her mom being Michelle van Eimeren, former 1997 Miss Australia; and her step-mom being Regine Velasquez, otherwise known as the ‘Songbird of the Philippines’), Leila Alcasid created her own following through her YouTube channel and formerly signing with some of the most popular record labels in the Philippines—Star Magic and ABS-CBN. At 23, she released her EP, Better Weather, which was streamed at least 1 million times on Spotify. Since then, Paradise Rising has allowed Alcasid to spread her wings, allowing listeners to further recognize how talented she is.
“Clouds,” her track on the EP, takes you into a world that features angelic harmonies and a smooth R&B and jazz feel, perfectly transitioning you from Dhakal’s work in the first track. Alternative R&B is something I fell in love with in college, so this track has become something rather nostalgic, yet completely new to me at the same time. Her unique and raspy voice reminds me the slightest bit of Corinne Bailey Rae, with a hint of Macy Gray (please don’t come for me for that comparison).
Her lyrics capture the essence of raw vulnerability and loyalty. In Paradise Rising’s recent Q&A, Alcasid said the track is about wanting someone, whether in a romantic relationship, or in any close relationship, and wanting someone to stick around and be there for you:
Stay a while til' the sun comes out again
In the quiet, we can wait till it's bright and then
When the clouds wanna part, I can let you in
Again, again, again
The song’s heavenly guitar composition—produced by Moophs, another well-known musician and producer based in Manila—leaves me wanting more, and anticipating their future work together.
On God - Massiah
With over 2 million streams on Spotify, Filipino-Ghanian artist Massiah switches up the vibe with “On God,” the only hip-hop track on the mixtape.
Something I have loved seeing in the Filipino media lately is its embrace of diversity, primarily in the entertainment industry, and Massiah is a perfect representation of that. “On God” takes you on a paradisiacal escape that beautifully meshes with a beat (that Massiah says he got from Cebu).
On god (God)
B**** what it do, what it does
This for the you that I love
This not the two, this the one, yeah
Like him, the song experiments with something fresh, standing out among the tracks. In the Q&A, Massiah said the song came from him entering a new relationship and making a promise to his significant other to be there for them no matter what. “On God” will get you to dance and be in your feelings at the same time, as the last bits of summer arrive this quarantine.
Kaori - Fern.
Known in the Philippines under his stage name ‘Fern.,’ Fernando Miguel Tan has produced records with some of the most popular artists in the Philippines. Before that, he managed to create a mark of his own, gaining traction with his 4.4 million streamed hit single, “Into You.”
Working with Paradise Rising, he created another track, “Kaori,” meaning ‘fragrant’ in Japanese. In Paradise Rising’s recent Q&A on Twitter, he said the song’s inspiration came from finishing a show he was watching and applying what he gathered from it to his own personal experiences.
Will you stay til forever maybe
I don't wanna wait a little longer
Tell me, baby
When the times get lonely will you think about me?
When the times get lonely will you think about me?
The track is beautifully composed with an acoustic guitar introduction that slips into instrumentation with an indie-pop feel that transitions you from Massaiah’s world of hip-hop into his. Fern’s artistry reminds me of The 1975’s and No Rome’s latest works.
We’ve all been there—being enamored by something or someone more than we probably should, or wanting something so badly, it starts to hurt. I’ve been into Fern.’s music for a while, and to find out that he has represented the culture well so far into his career is something I can take pride of as I watch him and his career pop off.
Safe Place - Kiana V
To finish off Semilucent, “Safe Place” by Kiana V is the most streamed track on the EP, as well as the first single from Paradise Rising.
Like Alcasid, Kiana V comes from a well-known Filipino household name, Valenciano (from her Pinoy pop icon father, Gary V). Apart from her father’s legacy, Kiana made a name for herself in 2017, gaining over 8.8 million streams with her single, “Does She Know,”on Spotify — it’s a bop, if I say so myself.
To introduce the entire globe to her work with Paradise Rising, the track features pop synths and alt-R&B hints that describe Kiana V’s artistry.
Would you have stayed?
Battling with closure, fighting on my own
It's funny how I told ya I'd rather be alone
When you’re my safe place
Your body is my sofa, I wanna be at home
Shouldn't ever told ya I'd rather be alone
The song takes you back to a place of vulnerability, openness, and having found a safe place with someone from the past. Throughout, her voice has a beautiful, clear, and unique raspiness to it that compliments the track’s harmonies and the elegant ambiance that finishes off the EP. If you like Kehlani and the vibe she brings into her music, I am sure you will enjoy Kiana V.
After discovering Kiana V’s music as a sophomore in college (in 2017), I was impressed with how she has given me a whole new definition of Filipino music. Her sound was different from anything I have ever heard from the Philippines; I got to know a whole new and different world of music because of her.
Although there is an abundance of other works that represent my culture, I applaud and thank 88rising for giving us, Filipinos Semilucent, and our own platform via a label that represents us with a vibe that can satisfy all walks of life. And to that, I say a toast to Paradise Rising for being just the beginning.
At my age, seeing the way Filipino representation in Western culture has become more common in media has been an exciting journey and thrilling experience. Because of this mixtape, I am looking forward to seeing/hearing what comes next from my generation of Filipinos—and even the generations after that.
I see a bright future for these emerging Filipino artists who are revamping what I had always known as OPM. Seeing what they have accomplished makes me proud of my heritage and inspired that we are being recognized for how passionate and talented we truly are —especially, when it comes to our music.
Check out Paradise Rising!