Halina is back with a time-bending serenade — and this time, it’s under the wing of Offshore Music.
Released today, ‘Tukso’ (‘Temptation’) is the first single from the baroque-pop savant under his new label. A hauntingly intricate track laced with lush banduria arrangements and 70s Manila Sound textures, ‘Tukso’ unravels a story of surrender and struggle — a personal confession of being drawn in by temptation.
“This is probably my most enigmatic song,” Halina shares, revealing he started writing it as far back as 2016, influenced by Unknown Mortal Orchestra and John Coltrane, while drawing melodic inspiration from OPM icon Armi Millare. The chorus nods to Eva Eugenio’s original hit with the same title, echoing the plea: “Tukso, layuan mo ako.”
The new single continues Halina’s distinct retro-futuristic sound — heard in fan favourites like the emotionally raw ‘Kung Nandito Ka Lang Sana’, the SoundCloud cult gem ‘Ukay Tamis’, and the ever-timeless ‘Kwarto Waltz’, which paid homage to the Filipino folk dance Cariñosa.
Signing with Offshore Music also opens a new visual chapter for Halina. The singer shares that the label has encouraged him to explore more immersive creative layers, aligning with his roots as a multidisciplinary artist.
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