Young artist Mateo revives the kundiman — and gains a million fans

August 19 ------ Singer-songwriter Mateo must be on to something good to have over 1.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, with just four singles. It gets more intriguing to discover that these tracks are unlike mainstream or even alternative contemporary music. In fact, the tunes are in the mold of the kundiman — the traditional form of the Filipino love song that dates back to Spanish colonial times.

In fact, the tunes are in the mold of the kundiman — the traditional form of the Filipino love song that dates back to Spanish colonial times. “Lalim,” his debut single released in September 2024, sounds like the classic harana piece heard in an outdoor setting — where a binata, accompanied by a guitarist, would sing to woo a dalaga who listens by the window of the family home.

Mateo — with Monching Carpio on acoustic guitar and, halfway through the song, Ronald Tomas on flute — warbles in a soft tone, his lyrics addressing a woman he is so enamored with, all he can do is stare at her in the dead of night. The song’s chorus is a classic lyrical expression of love and devotion: “Hayaang malunod sa ’yong pagtingin / At iaalay ang lahat sa lalim ng gabi.” Repeated three times, it draws an image of would-be lovers exchanging looks — until they drown in romantic bliss. It doesn’t sound corny, by the way. Mateo has a gift of vocal honesty that isn’t a put-on — even if, in one instance, he slips into modern phrasing, extending the last word like a pop singer would normally do: “’ Di na pipigilan pa ang sarili sa iyo-oh…”

Source: inquirer.net