Have you ever wondered what’s been on your favorite artist’s daily rotation this year?

2024 has been a monumental year for music, a common sentiment shared between artists and listeners alike. Through the year’s dynamic boom in , we can observe how our well-loved and renowned local artists aren’t just creators, but avid music enjoyers and fans themselves. Whether they got struck by Sabrina Carpenter‘s dominating wave in pop, or found themselves listening to “sining” on perpetual repeat, these artists may truly just be like us.

With these in mind, Billboard Philippines held a collection of exclusive interviews with some of the hottest stars in Filipino music, from James Reid to BINI, and asked what their music picks of the year were.

The Alexander Technique – Rex Orange County

Earlier in September of this year, indie pop staple Rex Orange County released his sixth full-length album. Through this feature, the artist explored a more vulnerable and experimental face to his music. Shifting his focus from his love song legacy to opening up about the raw emotions in his mind, the English musician crafted the album’s title in light of a technique in therapy that bridges the sensations of the physical and mental. In light of this, beloved romantic hitmaker Adie expressed his admiration on this new album.

“Siguro, internationally, stick pa rin ako kay Rex Orange County. [I’m a] big fan. Kaka-release niya lang ng album, yung Alexander Technique.” – Adie

(Probably, internationally, I’d stick with Rex Orange County. I’m a big fan. He just released an album, The Alexander Technique.)

Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan

Chappell Roan has been one of the trailblazers paving the way for queer music to hit the mainstream — and this has definitely not gone by unnoticed. Within the period of a year, her 2023 album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess has become a defining feature for this new period of pop. Her artistry has even breached our local sphere of music, inspiring OPM artists like Cup of Joe’s Gian Bernardino and BINI’s Aiah.

“Mine is ‘Pink Pony Club’ by Chappell Roan. I think I really resonate with that song on a level wherein it inspires me to not be afraid to be different.” – Gian Bernardino

“I’m still LSS to Chappell Roan’s songs, I really like her artistry.” – BINI Aiah

“Timeless” – The Weeknd, Playboi Carti

Earlier in September of this year, R&B household name The Weeknd and rapper supreme Playboi Carti unveiled their collaborative piece, “Timeless.” Combining the minds of the two icons, the single is undeniably catchy and infectious. The feature portrays a softer side to Playboi Carti’s sound, making for one of the most memorable R&B/pop records of the year. SB19’s FELIP, as well, detailed his shock at this newer creative direction.

“I’d probably pick ‘Timeless’ by Playboi (Carti) and The Weeknd. Playboi’s known to be a hardcore type of performer, ‘yung mga kanta niya rage music. So, the time na nilabas ‘yung ‘Timeless,’ talagang na-shock ako na ganoon ‘yung kanta niya. And I’ve known Playboi for, like, one year now, hindi naman ako ganoon ka-Playboi fan. Pag pinapakinggan ko mga music niya kasi, alam mo ‘yon, na-i-inspire ako by the way he performs. Mas gusto ko ‘yung pinapanood ang live niya eh, instead of listening to his music sa mga digital platforms. But, naaaliw ako pag nakikita ko siya nag-pe-perform live. So, the time na ni-release ang ‘Timeless,’ pinakinggan ko na sobrang ‘Wow!’ That made me a fan. Hundred percent.” – FELIP

(I’d probably pick ‘Timeless’ by Playboi Carti and the Weeknd. Playboi’s known to be a hardcore type of performer, his songs are usually rage music. So, the time that ‘Timeless’ came out, I was really shocked with the new song. I’ve known Playboi for like, one year now, and I wasn’t that that big of a Playboi fan. When I listen to his music, you know, I get inspired by the way he performs. I prefer watching his live performances, instead of listening to his music on digital platforms. But, I really enjoy watching him perform live. So, the time that ‘Timeless’ was released, I listened to it and was really wow-ed. That made me a fan. Hundred percent.)

“Ikot” – Over October

Following Over October’s 10 years of hard work, the band has made its way into the limelight with their recent releases, taking over the mainstream with their well-loved hit, “Ikot.” The single broke into the Top 10 of the Billboard Philippines Top 10 Philippine Songs earlier in September of this year, as a measure of its steady but potent growth. Local musicians across the board have praised this release, as well, noting it as some of their favorite music picks from this year.

“Here sa local naman, halos lahat naman ng nag-rise na artist, like si Maki, Hev Abi, Over October — Gusto ko ‘yung song nila. BINI, of course. Madami, eh. Pero, favorite song ko sa lahat ng nabanggit ko [is] ‘Ikot’ by Over October.” – Adie

(With local [music], I’d say all of the rising artists, like Maki, Hev Abi, Over October — I like their song. BINI, of course. There’s a lot. But still, my favorite song out of everyone I mentioned is ‘Ikot’ by Over October.)

“Is this biased? No, this is not biased. But ‘Ikot’ by Over October. Josh Buizon is my cousin but, actually, I really do love that song. Every time the intro plays, I’m just like, ‘Whoa, I love this song.'” – Gab Valenciano

“Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter has been another defining voice for this year in music. Her viral hits “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” “Bed Chem,” and more have dominated the airwaves from being on perpetual repeat on social media, on the radio, and anywhere we could hear it. With the release of Short n’ Sweet, Carpenter has become a mainstay on the tops of the Charts all around the globe. FIlipino R&B artist James Reid also commended this recent body of work.

“One song that’s been on my mind, on repeat, and I don’t know how to get rid of it is ‘Espresso.’ At first, I was like, ‘What? What is this song?’ Then I listened to Sabrina’s album [and was] like, ‘Okay, damn.’ I love her writing, actually. Very witty, very relatable. Yeah, I was impressed.” – James Reid

“Palagi” – TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan

As a testament of the Philippines’ steady support and natural affliction for love songs, the hit duet version of “Palagi” by TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan has been a notable fan-favorite from this year. The song is currently topping the Charts, as well, positioning itself at No. 1 of the Billboard Philippines Top Philippine Songs (as dated November 9, 2024). With the song’s honest and authentic approach and messaging, the single has shook the hearts of listeners and artists alike.

“One of my favorites [from this year] is TJ Monterde!” – Regine Velasquez

“Kuya TJ’s ‘Palagi.’ And mas lalo na noong lumabas ‘yung kay Ate KZ (And especially when the duet version with Ate KZ came out).” – G22 Alfea

“Eyes Only For Me” – Jay R and Regine Velasquez

Jay R and Regine Velasquez’ recent collaboration has highlighted both artists’ capabilities in a new light. Bringing the sweet voice of Asia’s Songbird and the powerful vocals of the soul master into a fresh R&B tone, the feature utilizes the talents of these hitmakers to produce an earworm perfect for ringing in the ‘-ber’ months.

“Nagulat lang ako na nagkaroon ng collaboration si Sir Jay R and si Miss Regine, ‘yung parang R&B song nilang dalawa. Nagulat ako na ang ganda nilang pakinggan, kasi parang ‘di ba kilala natin si Miss Regine sa mga songs niyang [ballads]. But, collaborating with Jay R, talagang ‘yung sound nila is something [else] for me. Nagulat ako kasi parang iba ‘yung boses ni Miss Regine doon; [it’s] something new to her. Sa mga nakikinig sa kanya, surprising ang ganoong atake ng pagkanta niya, so natuwa ako sa kanta niya.” – SB19 Stell

(I was surprised that Jay R and Regine had a collaboration, their R&B song. I was surprised by how nice to hear their voices together, because we know Regine for her ballads. But, collaborating with Jay R, their sound was really something else to me. I got surprised because Regine’s voice was different there; it’s something new to her. To those who listen to her, it was surprising how she took on the vocals for that song, so I enjoyed it.)

“‘Yung bagong song ni Miss Regine, ‘yung song niya with Jay R (Regine’s new song with Jay R)! I love it.” – Sarah Geronimo

“Dilaw” – Maki

Maki has certainly been one of the trailblazers of OPM this year. Don’t believe us? Then let his stream of chart-topping hits from 2024 speak for itself. The singer-songwriter was the first to hit the No. 1 position on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 with “Dilaw,” and his latest drop “Namulula” is on a steady ascent to the top, sitting at No. 6 (as dated November 9, 2024). The Maki-fication of the Philippine airwaves is not reserved for listeners alone, but for his fellow artists as well.

“Maki has made a lot of good releases this year!” – BINI Mikha

“Siguro (I think) my members will agree pag sinabi kong (when I say) ‘Dilaw’ by Maki. ‘Cause we always listen to ‘Dilaw’ by Maki.” – VXON Vince

“Locally, one song has been on my mind, on repeat — ‘Dilaw’ by Maki.” – James Reid

“sining” – Dionela (feat. Jay R)

“Sining” has been everywhere, infecting the nation at large. Boasting of being the song to chart the longest at No. 1 on Billboard Philippines’ music charts, “sining” has definitely become one of the most memorable hits to come out this year. Dionela and Jay R’s shared piece is a certified staple of Original Pinoy Music, with its undeniably catchy chorus and its vibrant, iconic saxophone riff. Sarah Geronimo, Ben&Ben, and G22 all sang its praises as well, calling it their favorite.

“I love the song ‘Sining’ by Jay R and Dionela!” – Sarah Geronimo

“Ako (Me), ‘Sining’ by Dionela!” – Miguel Benjamin, Ben&Ben

“For me, ‘Sining’ by Dionela. Grabe ‘yon (It’s crazy good).As in. Fun fact, kami ‘yung unang nakarinig (We were the first to hear it). Sinend s’amin ni Kuya Tim tapos sabi niya, ‘Guys, I want you to film yourselves [in a] reaction video’ (Kuya Tim sent it to us and asked us to film a reaction video).” – G22 AJ