Cup of Joe- Silakbo (Album Review)

If there’s an album that can accompany us through the stormiest and darkest of days, it has to be rising Pinoy experimental pop band Cup of Joe’s seminal full-length release, Silakbo. Dropped on January 17, 2025, the album’s Filipino title translates to “emotional outburst” or “roused-up feelings.” Its black-and-red cover art symbolically represents the five stages of grief—or alternately, the five talented Gen Z members that make up the band.

Frontmen Gian Bernardino and Rapha Ridao provide soulful, contrasting-yet-blending vocals, while Gabriel Fernandez (lead guitar), CJ Fernandez (rhythm guitar), and Xen Gareza (keyboards) craft a sonically layered soundscape drawing from retro, indie, folk, and pop ballad influences. Cup of Joe’s strength lies in their romantic Tagalog lyricism and dreamy imagery, a powerful medium for connecting to their growing legion of fans. Listeners will find themselves immersed in the album’s expressive sensibilities and its heartfelt confrontation with grief’s thematic cousins—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

Prepare to have dormant feelings resurface at your most vulnerable moments, as Cup of Joe invites you to sit once again with emotions that may never have found closure.

DENIAL: “Bagyo” and “Wine”

The opener Bagyo begins with the swirling sound of an impending thunderstorm, mirroring the emotional turbulence of circumstances beyond one’s control. Its metaphor of a falling sky and rising tide of misfortune highlights the inevitability of pain. No matter how hard we resist, the rain still falls, and the world still turns dark.

Meanwhile, Wine—the only track with an English title and chorus—delivers disbelief and disappointment at losing a lover to someone else. Minimal instrumentation and Ridao’s warm, sensual vocals make this haunting ballad unforgettable.

ANGER: “Kanelang Mata” and “Bubog”

Kanelang Mata (Cinnamon Eyes) simmers slowly before escalating into a full storm of anger. Bubog (Shards), however, cuts deepest—it’s raw, nerve-hitting, and emotionally devastating, driven by self-doubt, inadequacy, and self-blame.

Bernardino and Ridao deliver lines with such piercing emotion that listeners are left asking: Is the mirror broken, or am I the one who’s broken? From a songwriting perspective, Bubog is easily a standout.

BARGAINING: “Siping” and “Pahina”

Grief shifts into longing in this section. Siping (To Lay Beside) flows like a serenade—a final warm embrace before letting go. Pahina (Page), meanwhile, aches with the desire to rewrite life’s chapters and cling to promises etched in memory. Its lyrical strength lies in its poetic imagery, repeating the inevitability of returning to the same person, the same page.

DEPRESSION: “Multo” and “’Di Maari”

Despite its heavy theme, Multo is the most popular and heavily rotated song on the album—thanks to its catchy riffs and relatable lyrics about missed connections, lost chances, and unfulfilled dreams. It’s poised to cement Cup of Joe as a household OPM name.

’Di Maari, on the other hand, is a stripped-down gem. With bare-bones instrumentation and lyrics that feel like a whispered love letter or apology, it is deeply healing in its intimacy.

ACCEPTANCE: “Hinga” and “Silakbo”

The final stage of grief comes with renewed energy and hope. Hinga provides a collective pause to breathe, lifted by exhilarating drum beats and soaring falsettos. Its message is clear: even darkness allows stars to shine.

Finally, the eponymous track Silakbo closes the album on a high. Upbeat, danceable, and vocally dynamic, it encapsulates the band’s versatility and emotional journey. Even if sung a cappella, the power of these songs would remain undeniable.

Final Verdict

Silakbo is a musically mature release overflowing with lyrical depth and emotional resonance. Each of its ten tracks stands out in its own style while contributing to a cohesive narrative arc. It’s a beautiful balance of pain, reflection, and catharsis—an album that speaks to both new and long-time OPM listeners.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐