The Colorful World Of Maki’s ‘Kolorcoaster’ – An Exclusive Track-By-Track Guide

For an artist to have the ability to provide joy, comfort, peace, love, and (a lot of) color to the worlds of their audience is a gift — one that Maki that doesn’t take for granted.

With his debut album Kolorcoaster, the “Dilaw” hitmaker is not only taking listeners on a fun, colorful ride through his artistry; he also aims to make a lasting, meaningful impact on them, using what he describes as “the most challenging… but also the most fulfilling” thing he’s ever done in his life so far.

“As an artist, I really need to be in line with my morals and the things that I like in order for me to release something na alam ko sa sarili ko na (that I personally know that) I will really be proud of,” Maki tells Billboard Philippines when asked what he hopes this record leaves behind on its listeners.

“Para sa akin (for me), Kolorcoaster really solidifies me as an artist, as a creative,” Maki adds. “Para sa akin kasi (Because for me), the time when I wrote ‘Saan,’ ‘Bakit,’ ‘Kailan,’ and the whole Tanong EP, was an exploration phase for me as a singer, as a songwriter, and as a creative who wanted to know more about the depth of my own artistry.”

“This album is a mix of everything I love and it really signifies my artistry and what I can offer to OPM,” Maki further elaborates when asked if he believes this album best represents who he is now as an artist, noting that the most important thing through it all is that his heart is in line with his creativity.

When asked what sort of positive effect or impact he hopes Kolorcoaster will convey to its listeners, Maki tells us without hesitation, “I’m a huge advocate for Filipino visual artists, and for me, I’m a representation of these artistic people who grew up without the support they needed. Kolorcoaster embodies the advocacy of pushing for the arts in the Philippines na hindi masyadong nabibigyan ng atensyon (that are not given that much attention).”

“The album is a celebration of creativity,” Maki emphasizes further, highlighting the artists they hired to craft the record’s visuals and the importance of each unique visual detail that they meticulously paired with the songs on the album. “Kolorcoaster is not just me. Lahat ng mga tao na sumali rito (Every person who took part in this), they just really poured their hearts and creativity out. Now that nandito na kami, sobrang (we’re here, it feels so) worthwhile. 

With this, Billboard Philippines caught up with Maki for an exclusive track-by-track guide of Kolorcoaster, where the singer-songwriter and visual arts advocate dives into the meaning of the colorful tracks, shares personal anecdotes and memories for each one, and more.

“Namumula”

Maki: I actually wrote “Namumula” during a TikTok live. A lot of people watched it and, at that time, hindi pa nila na-re-realize na i-re-release ko siya. By that time, na-release ko na ‘yung “Dilaw” pero doon ko lang naisip na, “You know what? ‘Yung naiisip kong color concept [for an album], gawin na natin siya!” 

(“I actually wrote “Namumula” during a TikTok live. A lot of people watched it and, at that time, they hadn’t realized yet that I was going to release it. By that time, I had already released “Dilaw” but it was only then that I thought “You know what? The color concept I had for an album, let’s do it!”)

So, in more ways than one, ‘yung “Dilaw” and “Namumula” ‘yung nagsimula talaga ng creation ng Kolorcoaster. The concept was there but I just wasn’t sure if dapat bang ituloy ko and [making] “Namumula” convinced me to do it!

(So, in more ways than one, “Dilaw” and “Namumula” where what begam the creation of Kolorcoaster. The concept was there but I just wasn’t sure if I should continue with it and making “Namumula” convinced me to do it!)

“kahel na langit”

Maki: Dito lumabas ‘yung love ko for poems! I’ve always been a fan of poetry bago pa ako maging singer. So, nung time na sinusulat ko ‘yung “kahel na langit,” I wanted to put my poet-self and my singer-songwriter-self into one song. 

(This is where my love for poems comes out! I’ve always been a fan of poetry before I became a singer. So, during the time that I was writing “kahel na langit,” I wanted to put my poet-self and my singer-songwriter-self into one song.)

“kahel na langit” became one of my favorite songs that I’ve ever written because ang daming tao nakaka-relate. Nagkakaroon ng warmth sa puso nila whenever they hear this song because they’re usually reminded of someone who is no longer with them when they see a sunset or a sunrise, and I’m happy na may kanta ako na para sa kanila.

(“kahel na langit” became one of my favorite songs that I’ve ever written because there were so many people who could relate to it. They find warmth in their hearts whenever they hear this song because they’re usually reminded of someone who is no longer with them when they see a sunset or a sunrise, and I’m happy that I have a song that’s for them.)

“Dilaw”

Maki: I actually have nothing na masasabi pa (more to say) about “Dilaw” (laughs). But I just want to expand the thought na “Dilaw” changed my life.

Lagi kong sinasabi dati sa team ko na I will never put a filler in the album because even just one song can change a person’s life. Para sa akin, “Dilaw” changed my life, so lahat ng mga kanta sa album na ‘to, hindi sila basta-basta lang. I want each song to give a positive impression or impact to certain audiences or certain people kung saan p’wede rin magbago ‘yung buhay nila dahil dito. 

(I would always tell my team that I will never put a filler in the album because even just one song can change a person’s life. Para sa akin, “Dilaw” changed my life, so all the songs on this album, they aren’t there just because. I want each song to give a positive impression or impact to certain audiences or certain people wherein their lives can be changed because of it.)

For me, that’s what “Dilaw” is. 

“turning green”

Maki: Fun fact — “turning green” actually took me four songs until makarating kami sa version na ‘yan na lumabas (until we got to the version that was released).

It’s about people na nagkaroon ng pagsisisi of losing someone and regretting na hindi mo siya minahal nang sobra. Kumbaga, they realize na, “Ako pala ‘yung mali. It was always you. I remember that you’re my forever.” The idea of “turning green” is basically being sick or nauseous at the idea na hindi na kayo magkakabalikan.

(It’s about people who had this regret of losing someone and regretting that they didn’t love them enough. So to speak, they realize that, “I was the one who was wrong. It was always you. I remember that you’re my forever.” The idea of “turning green” is basically being sick or nauseous at the idea that you won’t get back together anymore.)

“Bughaw”

Maki: This was a song na mahirap bigyan ng buhay. Nung time na ginagawa namin ‘yung “Bughaw,” it was under a circumstance na hindi namin malaman-laman bakit hirap na hirap kami kumilos.

(This was a song that was challenging to bring to life. During the time when we were making “Bughaw,” it was under a circumstance where we didn’t understand why we had a hard time getting things moving.)

It’s a grower song from the album. Iba siya sa “Namumula” and “Dilaw” but it’s a beautiful song. When you really get to feel the lyrics, I feel like a lot of people will love it as much as those two other songs.

(It’s a grower song from the album. It’s different from “Namumula” and “Dilaw” but it’s a beautiful song. When you really get to feel the lyrics, I feel like a lot of people will love it as much as those two other songs.)

“Bughaw” is about memories in general. It’s a happy and peaceful kind of blue but also a nostalgic kind of blue. Para sa akin, it’s a really special song. It feels like, even if we go through a bad day, we will always find a blue sky at the end of that day na, hindi man siya puno ng sunlight, meron pa ring peace. 

(“Bughaw” is about memories in general. It’s a happy and peaceful kind of blue but also a nostalgic kind of blue. For me, it’s a really special song. It feels like, even if we go through a bad day, we will always find a blue sky at the end of that day that, even if it’s not full of sunlight, there’s still peace.)

“INDIGO (with U)”

Maki: Actually, I wrote “INDIGO (with U)” last year! It was early last year, I think.

It’s a song about the uncertainty and risk of liking someone na para bang iniiba ‘nya ‘yung takbo ng isip mo. Na parang, you don’t usually do or like these things pero, for some reason, because of this person, nagugustuhan mo sila. “Indigo” is that type of love. It’s like, you don’t know where it’s going or there’s no label for it yet but, “Anywhere you go, I go.”

(It’s a song about the uncertainty and risk of liking someone where it’s as if they’re changing your mindset about things. Like, you don’t usually do or like these things but, for some reason, because of this person, you come to like them. “Indigo” is that type of love. It’s like, you don’t know where it’s going or there’s no label for it yet but, “Anywhere you go, I go.”)

Kumbaga (In other words), let’s see where it takes us!

“Nangungulila”

Maki: I was actually so happy with myself nung naisip ko ‘yung title nito (when I thought of the title for this)!

Fun fact — naisip ko na siya, tapos people were suggesting in my comments, way way back, “‘Nangungulila” for a ‘purple’ song!” dahil sa lila. Tapos, naisip ko, “Masyado ba siyang obvious?” (chuckles) but I just really loved the song’s concept. 

(Fun fact, I already thought of it, then people were suggesting in my comments, way way back, “‘Nangungulila” for a ‘purple’ song!” because of lila or violet. Then, I thought, “Is it too obvious?” *chuckles* but I just really loved the song’s concept.)

In general, it’s about growth. “Nangungulila” started with a kind of periwinkle flower that I love. I would always pick it when I see it and lagi siyang namamatay. The song uses that as an analogy na kung saan, you don’t own the person you love for you to pick them up so you can decide their choices. Kumbaga, if they can’t see you in their world, then you have to let them go so they can grow. If hindi mo rin sila kayang alagaan when they’re trying to grow, just like [with] a flower, then just don’t pick them up. Let them go and let them grow, even if it means letting them be loved by someone else in the future.

(In general, it’s about growth. “Nangungulila” started with a kind of periwinkle flower that I love. I would always pick it when I see it and it would always wilt. The song uses that as an analogy where, you don’t own the person you love for you to pick them up so you can decide their choices. In other words, if they can’t see you in their world, then you have to let them go so they can grow. If you also can’t take care of them when they’re trying to grow, just like with a flower, then just don’t pick them up. Let them go and let them grow, even if it means letting them be loved by someone else in the future.)

“itim na ulap”

Maki: It’s about my cat, Cloude!

People don’t usually talk about their love for their pet, so, I thought, “Why not make a song for that kind of love?”

I’ve always wanted to do this because my cat saved me from so many things. Para sa akin, deserve ni Cloude mabigyan ng magandang kanta. I also just wanted to express that thought that our pets don’t really get to live until our hair turns white. “itim na ulap” is just me crying my heart and eyes out for my cat because of that feeling.

(I’ve always wanted to do this because my cat saved me from so many things. For me, Cloude deserves to be given a beautiful song. I also just wanted to express that thought that our pets don’t really get to live until our hair turns white. “itim na ulap” is just me crying my heart and eyes out for my cat because of that feeling.)

“Abelyana”

Maki: I’m really proud that I wrote this song! 

“Abelyana” is a “delulu” song. ‘Yung parang, hindi mo alam kung naghihintayan lang kayo, kung may aamin ba sa inyo o wala. It encapsulates my personal experiences but also ‘yung feeling ng frustration and, at the same time, ‘yung kinikilig ka dahil doon.

(“Abelyana” is a “delulu” song. Like, you don’t know if the two of you are just waiting for one another, if either one of you will confess their feelings or not. It encapsulates my personal experiences but also the feeling of frustration and, at the same time, the kilig that you get from it.)

“ROYGBIV”

Maki: This is the perfect song for closing the album! All the colors of the rainbow are here. 

Mahilig ako sa coming-of-age films and malaking inspiration ko sila for making Kolorcoaster. So, for me, “ROYGBIV” is about young people who want to explore or express what love really is and what color of love they’re seeing right now. But I don’t need to box it into a single idea. ‘Yung listener na ang bahala mag-interpret.

(I like coming-of-age films and they’re a big inspiration for making Kolorcoaster. So, for me, “ROYGBIV” is about young people who want to explore or express what love really is and what color of love they’re seeing right now. But I don’t need to box it into a single idea. It’s up to the listener to interpret it.)

However, the song is also to express my stand when it comes to the LGBTQIA+ community. I want them to hear this song and this album because it was also made for them. Katulad ng sabi sa song, “Wala naman sigurong masama o mali kung tama ang aking nararamdaman.”

(However, the song is also to express my stand when it comes to the LGBTQIA+ community. I want them to hear this song and this album because it was also made for them. Like the song says, “There probably shouldn’t be anything bad or wrong if what I’m feeling is right.”)

For me, “ROYGBIV” represents love at its purest form. It’s an innocent kind of love. I didn’t complicate the song or the lyrics. It was just natural and for me, ‘yun ‘yung love. Marami siyang complications pero ‘yung start ng love, ‘yung feeling na nagiging makulay ‘yung mundo mo parang rainbow, ‘yun ‘yung gusto kong mabigay na impression about this song. Na, even if minsan masakit or nakakapagod na, love is always good.

(For me, “ROYGBIV” represents love at its purest form. It’s an innocent kind of love. I didn’t complicate the song or the lyrics. It was just natural and for me, that’s love. It has a lot of complications but the start of love, the feeling where your world is becoming colorful like a rainbow, that’s the impression I want to give about this song. That, even if it hurts sometimes or it’s tiring, love is always good.)

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.