Alamat are indomitable on Destino

The imagery draws inspiration from manual labourers in the Philippines, who are often spotted wearing shirts as ski masks to protect themselves from the blazing sun. It’s a far cry from the glamorous styling typically seen on boy bands.

Alamat certainly tick all the boxes for a boy band. Their tunes are often sweet and radio-friendly, performed by six good-looking young men all still in their 20s. They dance in sync. They’ve dyed their hair candy floss colours like pink and green. But Destino makes the case that oft-dismissed boy bands and girl groups can be “serious” artists too.

“Serious” is in quotes for a reason. All of the songs on the album, sans its penultimate track “Hiraya”, were written, composed, and/or produced by the Alamat members: Tomas Rodriguez, Ralph Joseph “R-Ji” Lim, Brylle “Taneo” Uyam, Joshua “Alas” Alvarez, Aaron Joshua “Mo” Mitchell, and Justin Paolo “Jao” Canlas. It’s a sincere showcase for their craft.

But from its very first track, “LuzViMinda”, it’s clear that Destino is a joyride, if that gloriously kitschy cover art is any indication. The album provides depth and beauty without sacrificing fun. Sonically, “LuzViMinda” is a bit like the lovechild of Teriyaki Boyz’ “Tokyo Drift” and Blackpink’s “Pink Venom,” both hip-hop tracks with prominent Eastern elements. The commonalities aren’t hard to identify. For starters, “Tokyo Drift” features looping gamelan (Indonesian percussion ensemble) samples; Southeast Asian percussion is the foundation of “LuzViMinda” too, namely the gabbang (Philippine bamboo idiophone).

“Pink Venom” kicks off with a geomungo (zither-like Korean instrument) solo. “LuzViMinda” uses the kubing (Philippine jaw harp) to similar effect. Imbued with the sharp mixed-language lyricism of “Tokyo Drift” and delightfully brash instrumentation of “Pink Venom”, “LuzViMinda” could be described as a distillation of both songs’ strongest parts.

It wouldn’t be inaccurate, but doesn’t quite convey the richness of “LuzViMinda”. The song gets its title from the Philippines’ culturally, linguistically diverse major regions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Fittingly, the band’s members wrote the verses in their respective native languages: Bicolano, Cebuano, Ilocano, Kapampangan, Tagalog, and Waray, plus English. For instance, Canlas raps about his Kapampangan ethnic identity, each word punctuated by the native beats. Perhaps this is what sets the track apart: Alvarez’ superb production emphasises the Asian instruments as more than just adornments, but also vital storytelling tools.

Another highlight is “Hapag”. The track name-drops Alamat’s lovelorn “Maharani” twice. But “Hapag”, in practice, is really a sequel to their 2023 song “Noli”, penned by Mitchell. In both Alvarez-produced songs, the narrator vows to shield his lady from harm as Lim shreds guitars in the background. “Hapag” offers a more defined structure and sleeker vocal melodies than its precursor. A romantic bandurria (Spanish lute) and ethereal flute backings by Rodriguez further enrich the track.

“Pangako (Sa Puso Mo)” – “Promise (In Your Heart)” in English – is yet another standout. It beautifully pulls off a risky mix of super-emotional lyrics and a soft, falsetto-heavy sound. The love song could have easily ended up cheesy and cloying. But the Alamat members’ mellifluous, charmingly earnest performances shine here, especially the work of trusty vocalist trio Mitchell, Rodriguez, and Lim. Swedish hitmakers The Kennel’s arrangements, driven by electronic keyboard notes, evoke Boyz II Men, pioneers of soulful boy band ballads.

Even Destino’s least effective songs, namely “Don’t Wanna Dance” and “Hiraya”, are respectable endeavours. Released as a single a year ago, the latter is disco-lite mush. It’s also the only track on the album with no creative credits for the members, which definitely shows. But the song is energetic enough for a hook or two to stay in your head for a bit. “Girl, you know I love the way you move / You’re breaking my heart in two,” Uyam croons in post-breakup lament “Don’t Wanna Dance”. It’s sonically indistinguishable from all the other UK garage and similarly clubby tunes saturating the music industry these past few years. Its brisk, buoyant kicks are wholly inoffensive, though.

Destino is a pretty even split between lovely ballads like the violin-infused “Sinigang” and “Sa’yo Pa Rin Uuwi”, and more intense tracks like “Pagbigyan (Bad Decisions),” a sultry situationship anthem. Tying them all together are the band’s consistently incredible vocal performances, as well as production choices that celebrate their sundry roots and abilities.

Just four years into Alamat’s time as a group so far, Destino proves that they’re some of the Philippines’ most exciting artists. As the Cebuano verse in “LuzViMinda” says, “walay makapugong (nila)” – these guys are unstoppable.