10 New Songs You Need To Listen To This Week: TJ Monterde, KZ Tandingan, Clara Benin, Tilly Birds, And More
From a new collaboration between TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan to heavy-hitting tracks by Typecast and BADWAVE, these are 10 new songs that you need to listen to, as chosen by the Billboard Philippines team.
As we close off the month of January for 2026, why not discover a number of new songs to listen from this past week?
In the past few days, e saw a bunch of exciting releases that should definitely be on your radar, including from many of our favorite local artists. From new singles by singer-songwriters Clara Benin and Rob Deniel to heavy-hitting tracks by Typecast and BADWAVE, these are the songs released this week or so that you absolutely need to add to your playlists, handpicked by the Billboard Philippines team to complete your listening experience this New Music Friday.
12th Street – “Makapiling Ka”
12th Street, the Laguna-based OPM band known for their tracks “Oh, Irog” and “Walang Humpay,” continue to showcase their signature sound with “Makapiling Ka.” From the first few chords of the intro, the song establishes an immediately upbeat and catchy vibe, with synths reminiscent of successful OPM tracks from local bands, while still incorporating a touch of their own. – Ralph Regis, Writer
BADWAVE – “Jokes on You”
Fast, heavy, and fun.
If you’ve had the pleasure of witnessing Filipino hardcore punk favorites BADWAVE live, then you’d know that they are what those three words stand for. But for the uninitiated, the band’s first release of the year, which includes the blistering “Jokes on You,” encapsulates the very raw energy that is consistently present in all that they do and create. Running at less than a minute and half, “Jokes on You” wastes no time engulfing the listener in hard-hitting drums, gang vocals, and two-step-inducing riffs, ensuring that you’ll be moshing your heart out way before the song is even halfway done. – Mayks Go, Photographer and Writer
Tilly Birds – “Shouting Eyes”
Fresh off their third album to date, ‘I’ll Remember To Forget You,’ the Tilly Birds’ “Shouting Eyes” is a pop/rock track that’s brimming with a somewhat spooky energy. Here, the trio sing a sensual song about being intrigued with mixed signals – Rome Saenz, Writer
Frank Ely – “Pwede Ka Ba?”
Reminscent of old school Filipino love songs, Frank Ely returns with a four-minute sweet single all about wanting to court a long-time crush. From wanting to dance under the moon and stars, to dreaming of a future together, “Pwede Ka Ba?” is an adorable declaration of love, a cute retelling of an innocent romance that’s just about to bloom. – Franchesca Basbas, Digital Editor
Clara Benin – “muscle memory”
There’s a certain unique way that Clara Benin is able to tug at the emotions of the heartbroken and her latest single, “muscle memory,” is an outstanding example of this.
Serving as the Filipino singer-songwriter’s first release of 2026, this brand new track dives into the finer details of a person trying to move on from a long lost love yet still finds themselves unable to escape its clutches due to a number things – from old habits to the most minuscule of memories – keeping them from fully letting go. Back by rather contrasting upbeat and dreamy instrumentals, “muscle memory” becomes a catchy, melancholic dive for those who have a romantic past that long wishes to be forgotten. – Mayks Go
Savages – “Paranoid”
The much-missed British post-punk quartet Savages marked the tenth anniversary of their acclaimed second (and final) album Adore Life by announcing a deluxe reissue of the record containing two unreleased and unmixed tracks — one of which is a cover of a Black Sabbath classic. Instead of a straightforward interpretation, the band gives it the baroque treatment with singer Jehnny Beth on the piano and guitarist Gemma Thompson providing atmosphere instead of jagged riffs. It’s probably the most ingenious rendition of the song to date — one that is unexpected of not just the band, but anyone else. – Jason Caballa, Managing Editor
JAO – “WAG KA MUNANG UMUWI”
Bright and feel-good, JAO’s “WAG KA MUNANG UMUWI” is a song about longing for a special someone’s company, and wanting to be together forever. With its full and smooth production, brass and all, the song makes the perfect soundtrack for a Sunday stroll. – Rome Saenz
Typecast – “What Would It Take (For You To Realize The True Evil In This World?)”
In the past two years or so, Typecast have seen a steady foray into a much heavier direction with their releases. And with their first single of the year, entitled “What Would It Take (For You To Realize The True Evil In This World?),” the Filipino post-hardcore/alternative rock icons show absolutely no signs of stopping. Here, the band continues to explore their much darker alternative metal sound, punctuated by hints of Loathe-like grunge elements and perfectly topped off by lyrics that serve as a rallying call against injustice. – Mayks Go
Rob Deniel – “Star Song”
Rob Deniel continues his knack for personal and creative expression in the love song with “Star Song.” It’s a tried-and-true formula, lyrics appreciating another person, and Deniel capitalizes on OPM, which always welcomes this genre. The song’s straightforward writing makes it instantly relatable, and we predict it will resonate strongly with fans of Deniel and casual listeners alike. – Ralph Regis
TJ Monterde, KZ Tandingan – “Hiraya Manawari”
For TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan’s latest duet, OPM’s power couple are encouraging their listeners to push forward with their dreams. In the dynamic and emotionally-moving track, the duo sing about a pair of people who chase after the same dream, and pray that they reach it together. – Rome Saenz