Featured image courtesy of Sony Music Philippines.
MANILA, Philippines — Culture-shaping Filipino icon, SB19 brings news of the upcoming release of full-length album, “Wakas at Simula”—described to encapsulate the closure of one creative era and the launch of its new chapter.
Closely trailing the global success of their Simula at Wakas World Tour and the announcement of their stint at the upcoming Lollapalooza Festival, this year, the sophomore album positions the P-Pop juggernauts as trailblazing names behind the continued rise of Filipino music to the international stage.
“Wakas at Simula closes the chapter of proving ourselves,” SB19 opens up in a press statement. “In the beginning, we were focused on finding our place, building our identity, and earning people’s trust. This album honors that journey while also guiding us into a more grounded and intentional version of SB19.”
Image courtesy of Sony Music Philippines.
With this album, SB19 goes into an education towards taking bolder steps without overthinking every move.
The group adds, “Our years of experience have given us the confidence to create and share what feels true to us, even if we are still growing. At the same time, this marks a new beginning. We hope to express ourselves more openly, explore deeper and more relatable themes, and move forward with clarity, care, and creative freedom, ready to face new challenges together.”
Anchored on the concepts of duality and transformation, “Wakas at Simula” unifies the group’s trilogy of acclaimed EPs (“Pagsibol”, “Pagtatag”, and “Simula at Wakas”) while introducing six new tracks that push the boundaries of pop music with newfound confidence and sonic adventurism.
See tracklist below:
With this fueling its formation, the album also features noteworthy collaborations with Queen of C-Pop JOLIN, on “Emoji,” and Japanese group BE:FIRST on the dance-pop track “Toyfriend,” showcasing a deliberate expansion for cross-cultural appeal.
SB19’s Stell considers the collaboration with international artists a valuable learning experience for both the acclaimed P-Pop quintet and 1Z, giving them insights into how established labels outside the country operate in scale and strategy.
“Since SB19 built its own system from the ground up, one that is pro-artist and pro-team, these collaborations helped us see how we can refine and evolve that approach. The impact goes beyond music, as it opens opportunities for 1Z to grow and adapt to global practices. At the end of the day, it highlights how a young team can build meaningful connections and continue learning while expanding on a global stage.”
Other new tracks found in the album traverse a wide sonic spectrum: from the understated elegance of R&B track “Memories” to the experimental, industrial textures of “Everblack,” the P-Pop royalty’s combined influences take the record to exciting new places in terms of production and songwriting.
Complementing the new tracks are reworked versions from the P-Pop powerhouse’s 2021 EP, “Pagsibol”, all of which embody SB19’s artistic and emotional growth, where the delivery has become more intentional and personal, shaped by their lived experiences.
“When we first recorded them, we were coming from a place of hunger and hope, performing based on how we initially understood and absorbed the lyrics,” SB19 admits.
“Now, with more experience and perspective, the emotions naturally run deeper, and the lyrics carry greater meaning. It was not about changing the songs completely but allowing them to grow with us.”
The release of this anticipated sophomore album has since been announced to culminate in a major live event, the “Wakas at Simula” Concert, set for April 18, 2026, at the SMDC Festival Grounds.
This serves as the finale to their “Simula at Wakas” tour, which supported the release of their three-part EP (“Pagsibol”, “Pagtatag”, and “Simula at Wakas”).
While no news of a world tour has been shared this time around, the P-Pop superstars are slated to perform in shows across North America, Europe, and the Middle East in the latter half of the year, including major international festivals such as Lollapalooza in Chicago, USA, and more to be announced.
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