Blending the timeless sentiment of traditional Filipino love songs with acoustic pop, R&B, and understated jazz influences, the singer-songwriter offers an intimate collection inspired by the many ways love is experienced, remembered, and rediscovered
Filipino singer-songwriter LEYO reimagines Filipino haranawith modern sensibilities in Akda sa Pag-alala, a six-track EP released under Sony Music Entertainment.
Melding classic OPM, acoustic pop, and R&B, LEYO’s latest release is a personal collection shaped by affection, longing, vulnerability, and self-discovery. It traces love through intimate, universally familiar stories.
Buoyed by stripped-down arrangements and velvety vocals, the EP deftly balances catchy guitar riffs and warm bass lines with jazzy, bossa nova-lite inflections. Musically, he borrows elements from the music he grew up listening to, from The Beatles and Stevie Wonder to APO Hiking Society and the Manila Sound, creating a nostalgic pop vignette with a contemporary edge.
“Every song on this EP was written using just an acoustic guitar. I made the harana tradition my own by blending it with the music I grew up listening to, combining classic OPM influences with Western pop and R&B elements,” LEYO shares.
The new EP also explores romance in varying tones and hues. “Pritong Itlog” finds affection in the familiarity of preparing a meal for someone, while “Kapag Umuulan” deals with yearning from the perspective of a hopeless romantic. “Torpe” and “Pwede Ko Bang Itanong” confront the uncertainties of unspoken feelings. Other songs like “Kung Magugunaw ang Mundo” and “Kumusta Ka Sinta” convey devotion, nostalgia, and the process of coming to terms with the past.
“Ultimately, it captures my journey as a young man figuring out who I am and discovering what love truly means,” LEYO reveals.
The EP also benefits from the creative contributions of producers, including 2026 Awit Awards winner Brian Lotho, Rain Santana, and LEYO himself, whose complementary approaches helped define the collection’s overall sound.
LEYO adds, “Working with Rain Santana and Sir Brian Lotho really unlocked the full potential of these tracks. They brought two distinct approaches: Rain encouraged me to be more playful and think outside the box, while Sir Brian pushed me to be more intentional with every production choice.”
Acclaimed sound engineer Emil Dela Rosa mixed and mastered the first two tracks, while Hazel Pascua handled the remaining four.
At its best, Akda sa Pag-alala serves as a time capsule of youthful romance and personal growth. Through thoughtful storytelling and melodic sensibilities, LEYO offers a tender reminder that love is often best remembered through life's smallest moments.
LEYO’s 6-track EP, Akda sa Pag-alala is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
Source: Nyou