VVINK releases first album

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BRONTË H. LACSAMANA

A YEAR following their debut, P-pop girl group VVINK (pronounced “wink”) is set to solidify their musical identity with the release of their first full-length album. Days ahead of its release on digital platforms, the group held an exclusive album party on May 25 to provide insight into the creative process behind it.

Titled It Starts With A Wink, the debut album mirrors “the kind of relatable emotions, everyday experiences, and familiar storytelling that listeners naturally see themselves in,” according to the five-member group.

Composed of Angelika Sam Ortiz, Jean Flores, Audrey “Odri” Toledo, Ayaka Takakuwa, and Mariel Ong, the group’s members were handpicked and trained under production house and record label FlipMusic Productions. The group name, VVINK, is spelled with two V’s standing for second chances and a “double victory” — for the girls realizing their dream, and for the young Filipino dreamers that they represent.

“The most memorable part of making this album were the recording sessions. We all had creative input in the recording of the music,” said VVINK leader and main songwriter Ms. Ortiz at the press conference.

“This album is really important to us because it represents our growth as artists and as people,” added VVINK’s all-around member Ms. Ong, noting that it unfolds as a seamless listening journey.

It contains previously released tracks like their debut single “Tulala,” the playful, budots-infused “Baduy,” the emotional “Tatlong Hiling” which evokes the women’s aspirations, and the dreamlike love song “Kailan Ka Aamin.” Over the course of releasing these songs — and other pre-debut tracks — in the past year, VVINK had won Best New Group Artist at the 38^th Aliw Awards.

NEW SONGS
Previews of the new songs offered a glimpse into VVINK’s wide sonic spectrum, from the funky and vibrant “Tulog Pa Si Ganda,” to the youthful and bright key track “Pag-ibig Fun,” to the heartfelt love song “Ikaw Lang Ang Kulang.”

During the listening party, some of the members of VVINK shed tears, particularly after the track “Ikaw Ikaw,” which is a full-band tribute to their parents.

“It hits a deep core for the girls. These young Filipinas are in it to win this career that they want to have,” said FlipMusic Chief Executive Officer Jeli Mateo. “If you remember how it is like to be young, experience kilig and first heartbreak, this album captures that.”

FlipMusic founder and chief operations officer Julius James “Jumbo” De Belen, who headed production of the album, said they aimed for it to be “sonically bright and easygoing throughout, driven by clean melodies, strong hooks,” with a sound that “feels distinctly local.”

He emphasized how the two closing tracks — “It’s A Rap” and “VVINK VVINK” — conclude the album’s creative vision.

“We wanted to embrace the hiphop side of P-pop. As a producer, I took our track from last year and chopped it and played around with it, sampling it and turning it into a legit hip-hop track,” he explained. “Then the last track is like when someone knows something you don’t, because it’s a skit with spoilers for more music ahead.”

RANGE OF EMOTIONS
For VVINK’s main vocalist, Ms. Flores, fans should look forward to the music videos that they shot for the new songs.

“The music video shoots were challenging, especially ‘Pag-ibig Fun.’ We had to cheer each other on because it was so hot on set,” she recalled. “But we were able to do it and we really had fun.”

She explained that the album is meant to encompass the different experiences of a young Filipino. “It’s about crushes, it’s about family, it’s about dancing to budots!” she said.

The group will hold a showcase at Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas as part of the official album launch on May 28.

VVINK’s main dancer, Ms. Toledo, said that there were moments of pressure and self-doubt during the recording process, but that they worked together to finish their goal.

“The songs are all made with intention. It’s really a full listening experience,” she said. “We hope the album will be part of your memories, too.”

Meanwhile, VVINK’s main rapper, Ms. Takakuwa, reflected on the range of emotions, experiences, and musical styles that they blended into the album.

“We didn’t stick to just one sound. We’re still exploring what VVINK’s sound is and pushing our capabilities,” she said, noting the various songs about happiness, heartbreak, and healing.

“Since the album has many emotions, our main message is for people to feel something genuine when they listen to it,” she explained. “We want VVINK to be remembered as girls who stood up for second chances, who didn’t give up. This album represents our courage to start again, to try again.”

It Starts With A Wink is out now on all digital music streaming platforms. — Brontë H. Lacsamana