Lets go back in time for a bit, the mid 90′s to be exact. Mcoy Fundales along side with Clementine and a bunch of other blokes from Bulacan formed a band named Orange and Lemons. Back when the music scene was dominated by alternative pogi rock tunes, the music that Orange and Lemons offered back then was really a big off tangent from the mainstream. I first tune I heard of them on the radio was Kailangan Kita. Admittedly, I thought the band was a joke. Imagine a 60′s/70′s type of new wave like british man’s voice signing a tagalog song. It sounded like a very lame attempt at a westerner trying to cover Filipino song. You may imagine the sound as weird and wrong but in a strange way, Orange and Lemons was able to pull it off. They offered something new to the table. Undoubtedly, their mix of music was something unheard of at that time and they were an instant hit. It was an epic of mix Filipino Balladic tunes bordering on being kundimans flawlessly hashed together with the new wave/pop rock british sound of the olden times.
Fastforward to the present, the two, Clementine and Mcoy, have broken up to front their own bands. Clementine went on to form Camerawalls and Mcoy went on to form Kenyo. With the original band broken up and two new ones popping out, we can clearly see who influenced what when they were still Orange and Lemons. Clementine went on to play more brit pop tunes and Mcoy focused more on writing Filipino inspired tunes.
If you’re a big fan of how Orange and Lemons was able to mash up together two seemingly distance musical genres back then and loved the filipino feel of the music, you’ll definitely enjoy Kenyo’s new album, Maharlika. Sheer interest and curiosity alone of how the music is now should be enough for you to get the album.
MAHARLIKA – KENYO‘s new album out now!
The word MAHARLIKA traces its origin from the Malayan terms Majer Likha which means “great piece of work” and Mahal Likha which means “beautiful creation”.
INSPIRATIONS AND STORIES BEHIND THE SONGS FROM MAHARLIKA:
1. FILIPINA – A melodic ode to the timeless beauty and grace of Filipinas everywhere for they are the true pearls of the Orient.
2. TADHANA – Sing along with this tune on how Fate and Destiny sometimes poke fun at us.
3. HANGGANG SA MULI – A song written literally inside the airport while the band was waiting to board as Mcoy witnessed a couple who were exchanging, a seemingly endless, farewell to each other. This song is also a testament to the sacrifices one has to endure in order to fulfill his dreams for himself and his loved ones even if it means being distant from home.
4. SIMULAN NA NATIN - When longing bursts out a tune, you just have to groove. For desire and intimacy can’t seem to wait. Hi C (formerly of Dice and K9 fame) spices up this track as she shares vocal duties with Mcoy (a first time collaboration with the band).
5. WISH ON A STAR – The boyish days of star gazing and wishful thinking are remembered in this syrupy track.
6. KALAYAAN - An anthem yearning for freedom. This song aims to woe liberty if she is personified. The track will be used as theme song for an upcoming indie-film locally produced and filmed in Bulacan.
7. MEANTIME GIRL – Inspired by an online stranger who simply calls herself “meantime girl”. This is an interesting ballad of a girl who blindly accepts her role in a relationship bound for no one knows where and for how long.
8.. STRONG MAN – The strongest, the bravest, the invincible and the unyielding will still be vulnerable. In a game called love, everyone has his match.
9. SOMEONE FOR YOU – Co-written with Elmer Dado (formerly of the band Polyester). A positive and hopeful song suited for these trying times.
10. LEARN TO SWALLOW – Catchy and edgy guitar riffs. steady drum beats. Unmistakable hooks. A song against negativity, toxicity and liars never sounded this good.
11. ALAY NA ALAALA - An offering and theme song from the docu-film, The Forgotten War, which tells about the stories of unsung Filipino heroes during the Korean War of the 1950′s.
12. HANGGANG SA MULI (Akustiko) – A stripped down and intimate version of the album’s carrier single. A fitting close to an album worthy of another spin.
Having listened to little snippets, I can’t feel but miss the old feel of the old band. I can’t help but reminisce about the sound that made them famous. This new offering by Kenyo is a departure from Mcoy’s roots. The old filipino kundiman themed songs are still there which I definitely love. The songs have that sense of nationalistic pride. It is easy to listen to. For Orange and Lemons fans curious of how the two have matured, this is a must buy. If you want that old Filipino feel of the songs, Kenyo’s Maharlika ablum could be just right for you.
Check out the Ablum snippets at my iMeem and tell me what you think about it.