Bamboo releases first new single in 11 years

MANILA, October 28 ------ After 11 years without releasing new music, OPM singer Bamboo is back with the single “Alon,” a haunting track about pain, resilience and new beginnings that also reflects the social and political issues facing the country.

Released by filtered music, "Alon" is now available on all major digital streaming platforms, while its official live performance video has been uploaded on the official YouTube page of Bamboo.

Bamboo launched and performed "Alon" to members of entertainment media on Monday, October 26. “It’s about time, I thought, to release something new,” said Bamboo. “The reason why there’s a little bit of space is because there’s a life to cover. There are certain things in life that you have to prioritize. In the helter-skelter pace of working in music, you have to deliberately keep hitting that pause button, ask yourself what’s real and reflect on purpose,” he added.

Bamboo said the 11-year gap between new releases came as he prioritized other aspects of his life. He remained active in music during that time, collaborating with fellow artists and performing at concerts and tours in the Philippines and abroad.

Written by composer and keyboardist Ria Osorio, “Alon” sees Bamboo explore a new sound while delving into complex human emotions. Though its sound carries a haunting quality, he does not see the song as an expression of sadness alone. Instead, he hears resistance to pain — a choice to face difficult emotions without allowing them to overshadow the joy of living. “When Ria first gave me the song, she had said that she had me in mind when she had written it,” Bamboo said. He added: “I feel the pain of the song, the emotion, pero I don’t accept it as a sad song. I accept it as a song as if I’m resisting sadness.”

That perspective reflects where he is in life today: choosing joy, surrounding himself with people who matter, and finding fulfillment in the simple act of making music. “I choose to live with a lot of joy these days. I choose to be with people who I like to be with,” he said. “It’s the best job in the world because I get to play with friends.” “'Alon' was years in the making. I didn't want to simply release a song for the sake of putting something out there. Songs are something you have to live with. I had to find meaning, and at this point in my career I just didn't want to settle until I found the sound I wanted.”

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Bamboo agreed that “Alon” could also be interpreted as a socio-political song, reflecting not only personal relationships but also his observations of the country. “I mean, it's a song about relationship. I get it. I agree with that as well. ... What I felt in the time when I was recording, listening to the song, and seeing what was happening to our country, what was happening here locally, right? With the issues going forth and still no light, you know. Like we still can't figure it out.

“As we said, there's so many things going on in the world, right? So many issues we have to deal with. We have to figure this out to come together, right? Our leaders, ourselves, we have to ask ourselves that question. ... To keep us protected, our people protected as well.”

Bamboo said the song's lyrics also resonated with him in light of the country's continuing problems. “So, the lyrics, when I hear it, 'nalulunod na ako, hindi makatulog, binabangungot,' yes these are the things I think about. ... The social commentary, that's part of me. That's always been. I always consider myself a witness, right?” he said.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com