Saturday Sounds, August 17, 2024 – Appreciating VXON’s “Kalaw” and Yes My Love’s “Yayakapin”

Saturday Sounds, August 17, 2024 – Appreciating VXON’s “Kalaw” and Yes My Love’s “Yayakapin”

I already had a Saturday Sounds post ready for today. But I just couldn’t wait to express my appreciation for two amazing songs that have really become two of my favorites. And yesterday, August 16th was a big day for them.

First, a belated Happy 1st Anniversary to Yes My Love’s “Yayakapin”. But also a huge congratulations on its Awit Award nomination for Best Performance by a New Group!

When I first listened to the song last year (kinda late too), I really loved it and knew it would make my Year-End Favorites list. But since then, it has been on repeat for me. And it really has become one of my favorite songs. Most especially one of my favorite P-pop tracks. It’s really one reason I wish Cornerstone would let the group release more original music rather than covers, as great as those covers can be.

I was really pleasantly surprised by their debut “Rhythm”. But “Yayakapin” is what made me a real fan of the group. So this Awit Award nomination for their performance is so exciting and so well-deserved. The song is so underrated, not just to the greater Filipino public, but especially in P-pop circles.

I mentioned last year that it is a perfect blend of traditional R&B OPM and the fast-growing P-pop genre. So I’m sad that it hasn’t caught more mainstream attention.

But that definitely doesn’t take away from how great this song and Yes My Love’s performance of it is. That they are nominated for Best Performance is just a testament to how good the guys of Yes My Love are. Their vocals and harmonies are undeniable. This special performance of the song is proof of that:

I am definitely rooting for them to win that Awit Award!

Meanwhile, earlier this year, I raved about VXON’s first full album 20:20. At the time, I said it was the perfect showcase for the group’s talents. And that “it is an awesome reminder of not only what captivated me to the group on their debut, but what ultimately drew me in to the wonderfully developing world of P-pop.”

Indeed, it was VXON’s debut track “The Beast” that motivated me to finally take my Kinda Sorta Deep Dive into P-pop.

But it is 20:20 that really made me a big fan of the group. Such an excellent album that I know is going to be on my Year-End list. I could easily include every single track on my Year-End favorite songs list too.

Back in February, I lamented the lack of music video for their title track “SSP (Saksak Sa Puso)” and wished they’d have music videos for the rest of the tracks on the album too. Since then, we’ve gotten a great MV for “SSP”. But even more exciting has been the group’s special Live Session performances for every single new track off of 20:20.

Since the album’s release, I’ve had all the songs on repeat. (I definitely already know one of the five artists that’ll pop up on my Spotify Wrapped this year! Lol)

But as much as I love the entire album, one track has emerged to become my outright favorite. And that is “Kalaw”. It was actually my #3 favorite song on my Mid-year Favorites list last month.

As VXON has released their Live Session videos, I eagerly awaited the one for “Kalaw”. And they wrapped up (I assume) their Live Sessions by finally releasing it yesterday. And WOWOWOWOW. It is absolutely amazing!

These Live Session performances of their new 20:20 tracks have each been so good. Offering up fresh arrangements that make the already great songs even more amazing.

Check them out here:

But for my favorite song “Kalaw,” the guys left me in awe! I had already been looking forward to this performance. And knew it would be good. But VXON really delivered and then some. The rock-powered arrangement and the guys’ mesmerizing vocals just really takes the song to a whole other level.

If you haven’t yet checked out VXON, then I can guarantee this performance will be able to grab your attention. Just simply excellent.

Two excellent songs from two amazing Filipino artists!

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