Fitterkarma overtakes Cup of Joe at No. 1

January 31 ------ It was bound to happen. Everything falls as per the law of gravity. Everything changes as per the theory of impermanence. And so, it came to pass. After a historic, almost one-year stay at No. 1, Multo, the phenomenal seller by Cup of Joe, is no longer the No. 1 song in the country. Another tune has taken its place, and with that, local pop music also began to shape itself into new, interesting sounds.

The David who toppled the Goliath from the North is named Fitterkarma, and the song with which it accomplished the feat is Pag-ibig ay Kanibalismo II. Composed by fitterkarma members Addy Pantig and Joao de Leon, this is no new release. In fact, the track was dropped almost a year ago, but only caught on with listeners these past few weeks.

Pag-ibig ay Kanibalismo II has a pretty melody rendered with a punchy, infectious, echo-laden arrangement. It is also a strange one as far as love songs go, as it hints of cannibalism. Think of lines like lipstick na kulay dugo and kinatay at inadobong tao. Yucky, yucky. So, after indulging the multos of our lives, we are now being served up with human flesh. More yucky, yucky.

Anyway, Fitterkarma is an alternative rock band with a diverse, intrepid approach to music styles. I like the fact that it is open to all types of sounds and dares to take on unique and daring themes, like kanibalismo or like what they call their other hit single, Kalapastangan, or disrespect. Such topics are very unusual for Filipino pop songs, let alone romantic ones. By the way, Kalapastangan is a strong No. 2 on Spotify.

The question now is how long the band will be able to sustain its newfound fame. Also, what will we get from them next? Aswangs, vampires, zombies? Come to think of it, what do you call zombies in Tagalog? Anyway, let us just watch and see what will happen next. Time now also time now to check out the new arrivals and possible No. 1 sellers in the current hit lists. Like the folksy hip-hop song of the El Manu duo, made up of Jai Agsunta and Jessy Kang, the singer and songwriter from Davao, Kyle Raphael, with his Libo-libong Buwan; Nicole, a newcomer from Quezon City, with the single, Panaginip.

As for Cup of Joe (COJ), the band is still doing very well with its top hit singles, Multo and Pahina. COJ is at present busy with live gigs, preparing for the release of the first single from its upcoming second album, and a concert for 2026 that will be even bigger than “Silakbo” and “Stardust.”

Here now are the leaders of Spotify’s latest tabulation: Pag-ibig ay Kanibalismo II by fitterkarma; Kalapastangan, also by fitterkarma; Tahanan by El Manu; Libo-libong Buwan by Kyle Raphael; Multo by Cup of Joe; Tensionado by Soapdish; Die on This Hill by SIENNA SPIRO; Isa Lang by Arthur Nery; Who Knows by Daniel Caesar; Naiilang by Le John; back to friends by sombr; Nandito Ako by Rob Deniel; Palaisipan by Loonie featuring Arthur Nery.

So Easy to Fall in Love by Olivia Dean; I Thought I Saw Your Face Today by She & Him; Panaginip by nicole; The Man Who Can’t be Moved by The Script; Saksi ang Langit by December Avenue; Pahina, again by Cup of Joe; Dominga with La Mave; Tadhana by Up Dharma Down; End of Beginning by Djo; Man I Need by Olivia Dean; Folded by Kehlani; and bittersweet by Madison Beer.

Source: philstar.com