Music

Ignite your soul: A review of The Ransom Collective’s EP

If you still have no idea who The Ransom Collective is, then I’m sorry to tell you, my friend, but you’re definitely living under a rock.

The folk band, composed of Kian Ransom, Jermaine Choa Peck, Leah Halili, Lily Gonzales, Muriel Gonzales and Redd Claudio, has since been nominated by international music streaming service Deezer to represent the Philippines in an international search for the next big indie act, where they placed second out of 45 music acts from around the world.

Last September 20, the band launched their self-titled extended play (EP), now available on Spotify, iTunes, Deezer and Soundcloud. Here’s a look at their phenomenal debut.

Perfect for that road trip you’ve always wanted to take, easy listening by the beach or for that Sunday afternoon jog, The Ransom Collective’s freshman effort does not disappoint. While the stand out track is their previously released single, “Fools,” the rest of the EP carries the same feel-good vibe and rich imagery of rolling landscapes. The songs are fresh, vibrant and colorful, the kind of songs that one can imagine being turned into artwork.

The Ransom Collective’s much-awaited EP is a stand out in the local music scene. Their style, seemingly influenced by foreign acts, sets a distinction that is easily likable among fans of the indie-folk genre in the Philippines. Whether the band sticks to its Mumford and Sons-cum-The Lumineers vibe, or branches off into a sound all on its own, there’s no doubt that this is a group to look out for.

You might like these!
Music

Here for a good time, not a long time: The Album by the Jonas Brothers

WHERE SHOULD you start your summer—at Montana or the Waffle House? The Jonas Brothers have made a splash with The Album (2023), the follow-up to their comeback record, Happiness Begins (2019). The LP is filled with beachy tunes and tidal waves, very similar to the energy exuded by the previous album. In interviews, Nick, Joe, […]

By Giu Martinez

May 18, 2023

By Giu Martinez • May 18, 2023

Music

All grown up: This Is Why by Paramore

BEING AN adult isn’t the greatest—and This Is Why (2023) proves that. Following a five-and-a-half-year break, Paramore has made a comeback with their sixth studio album, This Is Why. Time and time again, the band has pivoted in terms of theme and sound—from the classic pop punk of All We Know Is Falling (2005) to […]

By Giu Martinez

February 23, 2023

By Giu Martinez • February 23, 2023

Music

Celebrating Manila’s creative scene: Joining forces with Manila Community Radio

NIKE’S GLOBAL celebration of the Air Force 1 sneaker’s 40th anniversary last November was fronted by the “Join Forces” tagline—a call for all creatives to build communities that push their passions forward. Nike held the Manila leg of the celebration with the help of Manila Community Radio (MCR), an internet-based radio station that also plans […]

By Martin Celiz

January 9, 2023

By Martin Celiz • January 9, 2023

Music

Chronically heartbroken: Suki Waterhouse’s Milk Teeth

SONGS ABOUT heartbreak never go out of style, and Suki Waterhouse takes advantage of this fact. Milk Teeth (2022)—a six-track-long treasury of the London-based singer-songwriter’s early work, including her 2016 debut single “Brutally”—is a testament to this. The EP also introduces a fresh sound for Waterhouse through the previously unreleased opening track “Neon Signs.” The […]

By Jia Parma

November 18, 2022

By Jia Parma • November 18, 2022