7 Essential IV OF SPADES Songs You Need To Listen To
If you don’t mind taking a deep dive into IV OF SPADES, here are seven essential songs to explore — including tracks like “Hey Barbara,” “Bawat Kaluluwa,” and “Dulo ng Hangganan.”
IV OF SPADES: Courtesy of Karpos Multimedia
IV OF SPADES: Courtesy of Karpos Multimedia
The highly anticipated two-day concert of IV OF SPADES (or IVOS) at the SM Mall of Asia is right around the corner. Longtime fans have been waiting for this moment — not just for their reunion, but also to see Zild, Unique, Blaster, and Badjao perform onstage as a full unit again.
However, if you’re a new IVOS convert who has been enjoying their newer releases, fret not. Even if you’ve only started following the members in their solo ventures or have mostly listened to “Mundo,” you’re still welcome. If you’re looking to get into IVOS, now is the perfect time to take a deep dive.
But with the set still out in the open, IVOS aren’t just playing their newer songs. We can also expect them to perform the tracks that defined a moment in OPM in the last couple of years, back when they were starting and carving their path as game-changers in the local music scene.
With that, here’s a quick speed run through the band’s eras as Billboard Philippines takes a deep rewind with a list of seven essential songs — so you’re all set and kabisado all the lyrics when D-Day arrives.
“Ilaw Sa Daan”
First on the list is what we can describe as the OG IV OF SPADES track. Released in October 2016, “Ilaw Sa Daan” is the band’s debut single. Written by Blaster and Unique, the track fully showcases how they work harmoniously through vocals, guitars, bass, and drums. It came out in the 2010s, at a time when a new generation of OPM artists and bands was slowly getting their foot in the door.
“Hey Barbara”
This is where the band really took off. “Hey Barbara,” released in July 2017, marked a new direction for them, both musically and aesthetically. With its ’70s disco- and funk-inspired production, there wasn’t much else like it at the time. The track carries a deep sense of nostalgia, calling back to a vibrant era in OPM while also embracing the band’s own identity. It’s one of those songs you can easily dance to, and it’s nothing short of perfect.
“Bawat Kaluluwa”
“Bawat Kaluluwa,” a track from the band’s 2019 debut album CLAPCLAPCLAP!, like the rest of the songs, marks a departure from their ’70s-inspired sound, steering the band in a different yet still familiar direction. Leaning toward a modern rock style, the track’s lyrics are also worth dissecting, as they explore themes of overcoming manipulation and coping with unexpected pressures.
“Tangerine Boulevard”
For all the certified yearners out there, “Tangerine Boulevard” is a must. Sonically, it sounds and feels like a companion piece to their most celebrated track, “Mundo.” Led by Unique’s flawless vocals, it flows effortlessly through the ears while offering a moment to let go of worries for the meantime. The track opens with the lyrics: “Don’t you hold your tears inside / Tell me all your fears, it’s fine.” And that’s all you need to know.
“Dulo ng Hangganan”
Another track from CLAPCLAPCLAP! that’s perfect if you’re heartbroken and alone — but thankfully, it doesn’t leave you that way. With Blaster and Zild’s vocals, Badjao’s drumming, and the vibrant synth production, the song feels euphoric, hinting at an ending while subtly pulling listeners into an intense swirl of emotions that still offers hope, whichever way you look at it.
“Tamis Ng Pagkakamali”
If you’ve listened to Andalucia in its entirety on repeat, you know the transition from “Konsensya” to “Tamis Ng Pagkakamali” is just too sweet. The track heavily reminds listeners of Unique’s songs. But now that the band is back and stronger than ever, all the pieces fall into place. From the track’s overall mood and production to the seamless interplay of vocals and instruments, everything comes together perfectly. There’s something about the early guitar riffs at the beginning, paired with the introspective lyrics, that immediately draws you in.
“Rewind”
The second-to-last track from Andalucia, “Rewind,” features a rare occasion of having Badjao take the vocal spotlight. It calls for a chance to start over, showing that nothing was ever truly left dead in the water. The lines, “I feel like there’s never getting over us / Years have passed, I’m still in love,” can speak to romantic relationships or platonic friendships, revisiting a place of wonderful memories while acknowledging unresolved emotions.
As you reach the end of the album, the track perfectly encapsulates the band coming together again — made for longtime fans who have been there through it all, whether together or through their solo ventures, and new fans who would love to get to know them more.
IV OF SPADES are set to take over the SM Mall Of Asia arena for their highly anticipated comeback concert this December 12 and 13. Tickets for Day 2 are still available via SM TIckets.