Talking about philippines Music, I was thinking about two musicians. First, Rivermaya, and second, Christian Bautista. But now, there two more musicians that I know. They are Mellow Fellow, and right now that I am crazy about, IV of Spades.

Who is IV of Spades?

IV of Spades is OPM band ((Original Pilipino Music) term that Filipinos use to refer their original music created by their musicians) formed in 2014, consisting Unique Salonga (vocalist, guitarist), Zildjian Benitez (bassist, vocalist), Blaster Silonga (guitarist), and Badjao de Castro (drummer) in Markina, Phillipines.

Using Tagalog and English lyrics

Unlike their same country musicians Mellow Fellow who used English lyrics in his songs, IV of Spades uses English and Tagalog in their songs.

Take ‘Ilaw sa Daan’ (2016) for example, which is band’s debut song that using tagalog lyrics and has ‘big’ rock influence.

‘Where Have You Been, My Disco?” (2017), the started for me to know and like this disco, funk, rock and indie pop genre band.

The ‘Hey Barbara’ song (2018) which has same genre and MV like ‘Where Have You Been, My Disco?”

Until finally I was listening to “Mundo” (2018). For me this is the best and the most perfect song from IV of Spades, and from articles that I read, this song made them well know, even famous among Filipinos.

Even thought the lyrics in Tagalog and a little bit slower from their usual songs (rock, funk, even disco), I really enjoy this song, so much. Especially when I heard live version of this song, God… it’s soo good.

For lyrics, I felt deep sorrow when heard even tho I don’t understand any Tagalog words.

Departure of Main Vocalist: Unique Salonga

Like other successful band, bad thing happen come. And for IV of Spades, it is their main vocalist Unique Salonga Departure.

This news was announced by IV of Spades on their Facebook account on May 14, 2018. (full news can be read here).

Many speculation has circulated about reasons for Unique’s departure. From health reason, until his pursue for solo career.

However in his official statement via twitter, Unique still not reveal his reasons for leaving IV of Spades.

IV of Spades with Three Members

Now with three members remaining, IV of Spades still solid and going strong even continuing more successful by releasing CLAPCLAPCLAP! album which contain 15 tracks.

Lucky things, Unique’s Salonga departure paved the way for Zildijan Benitez and Blaster Silonga finally who can ‘show’ their talent in singing. (never imaging that almost all member can sing!)

In song ‘Bawat Kalululaw’, you can heard so much improvement in their sing capability, and see their genre evolution: from ‘disco’ to ‘ rock’.

From my personal perfective, you should listen their new album: CLAPCLAPCLAP! (2019), and try to listening ‘My Juliana’, which I think have ‘thick’ retro synth pop, and ‘Come Inside of My Heart’ which have a little bit ‘Psychedelic Rock’. (again from my point of view, who is only a music lover)

2020: Two New Singles

In 2021, IV of Spade released two new single: Ang Pinagmulan and Sariling Multo (Sa Panaginip). If you ask which one is my favorite, the answer is Ang Pinagmulan! But actually both of them really good songs.

So, Is it IV of Spades Worth it to be listen?

If you are music lover who doesn’t care about language when listening a music, or want to listening some of Filipinos music, my suggest you can listening their songs which have so many kind of music genre.

IV of Spades can be an alternative for you to listening, especially if you are bored with Brit pop, American pop, Indonesia indie, or maybe K-Pop.

Read this article in Bahasa Indonesia: IV of Spades, Rekomendasi Musik Filipina yang Wajib Lo Dengar