On Their Latest EP, BGYO Put Their Name on the Line — And Delivered

BGYO are on to a series of new beginnings this year — particularly with the release of their latest self-titled extended play.

Since their explosive debut in 2021, the five-piece boy group have been all about honing their identity — a mission that’s led them to grow through each beat dropped, stage conquered, and challenge overcome. Every release that came out over the past few years has marked a step forward, a lesson learned for each and every one of them.

And while it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, the group — composed of Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki, and Nate — has kept their eyes on the long game. For ‘The Aces of P-pop’ have taken their time, built their foundation, and, more importantly, allowed themselves to evolve.

Now, that journey culminates in their newest release, a genre-fluid, self-titled EP that strips everything back to what matters most: BGYO. The name says it all, making quite the statement that brings a certain weight to their name.

As I sit down for my interview with the group, we’re seated at a conference-like table in the Billboard Philippines studio. Here, they’ve given me an early preview of their latest record before its release, and amidst all the buzzy excitement in the room’s atmosphere,  I ask them all about what it means to release an eponymous project after all these years. 

“It does [put a bit of pressure],” Mikki says honestly. “Because it’s really all about BGYO. That’s the straightforward part. So, it really puts pressure on us.”

For them, utilizing their group name as the title of their latest project isn’t just a mere title, but serves as a form declaration. They acknowledge that it could sound tacky to some, but still recognize its intention as a a reflection of their growth, resilience, and to let the music speak for itself. 

In the process of making the record, the group retained the same mission (and spirit) that has defined BGYO since day one, which is that of being true to themselves, and in turn, inspiring others to do the same. 

“For this EP, we tried to have something for everyone to enjoy, whether it was in its sound or message,” mentions Gelo. “The message that we want to convey in our identity is being yourself. It’s also about [an emphasis on] love and being there for everyone.” That theme — of authenticity, empathy, and connection — echoes deeply in the way they approach both their craft and their community.

“I think it’s a value we channel because we try to stay true to our aces,” Nate explains, referring to their devoted fandom. “And everywhere, even our content on stage and music, its [all] pretty real. It’s really us.”

From stage presence to songwriting, BGYO’s newest offering leans into that honesty. “We’ve been in the industry for a few years already… and like what Nate said, our content, wherever you can see it, that’s what we’re really showing. And its also what we hope to translate to our aces.”

Like many other records, crafting BGYO certainly wasn’t without its challenges. For a group that’s continuously evolving, each new step meant navigating uncharted territory — creatively, emotionally, and logistically.

“Medyo maraming (there were a lot of) challenges [for us]. ‘Yung training, of course, tapos (and then) learning the choreography,” JL shares. He adds how this project was something that he and his fellow members established as a more collaborative process between them and their team –– allowing them to exchange a fresh perspective on their craft. 

“Maganda ‘yung ganun kasi open siya, parang (It’s really nice that it’s open, just like) what if its like this, or what if its like that? And as a group, if an opinion is agreed upon, everyone will adjust. So I think that was also challenging,” he notes.

Akira even agrees, noting how it extends to both their stage presence and the subtleties when it comes to their vocal performances. “Nadadagdag siya (It adds) to how we’re going to sing our lines, how we’re going to express our emotions. And with all that we’ve been practicing, I feel like it worked out for the better for us.”

A significant shift for the group was working with international producers for the first time — an experience that both tested and expanded their creative limits.

“It’s a new [process],” says Akira. “We really had a challenge when it came to learning the song and recording. Because it’s a different system from the local producers.”

“The recording process is the same for everyone,” Gelo elaborates, “but it’s more about listening. Since they’re [the producers] the ones who made the song, it’s more about listening to their tips.”

Beyond that, logistical hurdles added another layer of complexity. “It’s our first time recording online on Zoom,” Akira notes. “So that’s the hard part. We can’t really hear the song in person.”

“It took a long time for us to record,” he continues. “Because we had to send the vocal steps to the producer.”

“Learning a song like that is challenging,” Mikki adds. “Because [for us], when we’re writing a song, we have to be ready to learn the whole song. So that no matter what happens, we’ll know where we’re going. But we’re proud with what we were able to do sa EP na ‘to [with this EP.]”.

All of the adjustment and array of new (yet equally fresh) experiences have shaped a different kind of BGYO — one that’s not only more confident, but also more creatively involved.

“It’s reflective,” Gelo says of the process. “I think one of the changes is that we’re more involved compared to our first years. We’re more hands-on. We know more about the genre and direction of our music. And what we want as a group.”

The group’s collaborative momentum was further boosted by their experience at a recent music camp that took place in Davao. “The music camp was where “Trash” was made,” Akira reveals. “We were there with lot of producers and songwriters from different parts of the world — including Grammy-nominated ones, and even Grammy winners. I’m just so glad we were able to learn from them.”

Yet despite all that they’ve learned through experiences like that, the major takeaway they’ve realized after all this time is the importance of camaraderie within their dynamic. “It’s funny kasi parang na-realize din namin na [because we realized that] we just need each other, and that we should always make decisions together,” emphasizes JL. 

With that mindset, it’s expanded its impact onto their craft, allowing them to challenge themselves further by pushing the boundaries of what they’re able to do as artists. Because this self-titled EP doesn’t just mark a new beginning; it’s also a bold step into sonic territories they hadn’t fully explored before.

I posed the question of what this record allowed them to accomplish to their liking, and they immediately respond in unison, “Bad words,” before cracking up in a joint roar of laughter.

Nate then elaborates, “ I think our sound is what we haven’t explored… even if we did so much [before]. And then once we released “Trash,” I think we were kind of feeling like we’re on the right direction with our sound.”

“In our first two albums, we were more about experimenting with the genres,” Gelo explains. “But for this, we wanted the direction and cohesive feel to be in place, even if we’re also exploring new sounds and genres along the way.”

They each note which tracks they’re most excited about on the record, with a special shout out to tracks like “Divine,” “Heartstrings,” and “Light My Fire.”

“With ‘Divine,’ the sound is really different from the previous stuff we’ve ever done,” Mikki mentions. “The string section [in the opening] is honestly really cool, and even the choreography is different” — to which Nate agrees.

“’Light My Fire'” is very R&B,” Akira adds. “Kasi sobrang iba ‘yung vibe and ‘yung genre (Because the vibe and genre is very different) from the others, and we were lucky enough to work with Dante Bowden, who is the brother of PinkSweat$, on the track also.” 

Even tracks like “Heartstrings” add dimension to the collection. “It’s more on the pop rock sound, But the attack is different,” Mikki says. “There’s a part in the song I think it’s a little country-ish, but it’s still pop-rock,” Akira adds. “It’s a good thing it’s in our EP, because it shows na [that] there’s something for everybody.”

Amidst the variety of sounds that their latest record ventures off to, this latest chapter of BGYO’s career hasn’t only deepened their artistry, but has further empowered them in their craft.

“BGYO is also exploring different ideas. We haven’t been able to do that before. But we still need to stick to the goal of BGYO as a group, which is not to give up,” Mikki mentions.

“Parang dito (It’s as if here), we were able to push through the themes na gusto masabi namin sa mga listeners namin (that we want to share to our listeners),” JL says. “And I think we’ll be able to do better if we release the other songs that are lined up with us,” he teases.

“After this EP 1, we are going to have more songs lined up for EP 2,” Mikki adds. “We recorded a song in LA, and we also had songs recorded from the music camp that we had last year,” he continues. “Wala akong masabi. Pero ready na sila.” [There’s nothing else I can say, but they’re ready.]

“But if you like EP 1, then with EP 2, you’ll be even more surprised,” Gelo says coyly.

Even as they look towards the near future, what audiences, industry folk, and anyone can take away from BGYO’s latest record is that this EP isn’t just a milestone — it’s a launching pad forward.

“Hopefully it could help us get closer to [breaking globally], for real. Because ‘yun talaga ‘yung goal namin (that’s always been our goal) — to be part of the movement of bringing OPM to the international stage,” notes JL.

“Ang pakiramdam namin sa EP na ‘to ay parang (We feel that this EP is like a) rocket launch for us,” Gelo echoes. “We want to show how we’ve improved, how we’ve become more confident, more solid, more involved in our artistry, and everything. We’ve leveled up.”

“I think of it as a stepping stone for BGYO and for our music,” Nate says confidently. “Moving forward in the future, we’ll continue to improve,” Nate concludes. “Because from there you’ll learn a lot more. And it’s super exciting to see what else we’ll be able to bring to the table.”

“[But this year], 2025 is going to be BGYO’s year,” Nate then affirms.

With BGYO’s release, the group didn’t just drop a new set of songs — they’ve unveiled a clearer, more confident version of themselves. This EP serves as a statement that BGYO knows who they are, what they stand for, and where they’re headed. Because through every challenge, creative leap, and sonic experiment, it’s as if they emerged more in sync than ever, fueled by passion and ready to take on whatever comes next across both the local and global stage. 

As they continue to evolve, one thing is certain: this is just the beginning of a new, exciting chapter for BGYO, and they’re stepping into it with purpose, pride, and power — with the best still yet to come.

_{Photographed by Alan Segui. Art Direction by Nicole Almero. Photography assisted by John Lim and Genio Frondoza. Styling and Glam courtesy of ABS-CBN Music. Produced by Mika Cruz. Special thanks to our Food Partner TA-KA MNL, Pastry Partner Tinapay Artisan Bakery, and our Coffee Partner harlan + holden coffee.}

Listen to BGYO’s self-titled EP, BGYO, in its entirety below: