Filipino alternative rock trio Novacain have officially dropped their debut double EP, Patago-tago, dumudugo.
Inspired by the opening track 'Cine', the record encapsulates existential themes — from hiding away from harsh realities to confronting life’s unavoidable cycles.
Vocalist-guitarist Lawrence Del Rosario explains the themes and overall story behind the tracks as he shares, “It’s about the different experiences of an individual and the cycle of life itself – there are those who live and those who die,”. Bassist Kyle Enriquez adds that the songs reflect “the inevitability of things and how helpless it can seem especially when things are out of your control.”
Ahead of the release of the album, tracks such as 'Binhi' and 'Pusta' were unveiled as pre-release singles to give fans a teaser as to what was to come with one of the trio's biggest musical projects yet.
The seven-track project was written by Del Rosario and self-produced by him and Enriquez. The collection spans years of writing, from the oldest track 'Friendzoned Land' from 2017 to the instrumental closer 'Larangan ng Digmaan', that was created on the very last day of mixing. The record features drum beats by Ariel Flores on tracks such as 'Cine' and 'Binhi', while Miguel Carolino played bass on lead single 'Dati-Rati'.
Patago-tago, dumudugo leans into a darker sound than their earlier work, blending post-punk and grunge as they enter the realm of noise rock. Songs like 'Binhi' and 'Cine' tackle sensitive topics, paired with raw, visual lyricism that resonates with listeners — making them feel as though they’re in the room with the band.
Despite the challenges of putting the record together, Novacain see this release as a triumph. “There were frustrating moments, admittedly, because of our perfectionist side. But in the end, we managed to pull through and finish it,” reflects Enriquez.
To celebrate the release, Novacain will headline a joint launch show with fellow Filipino alt-rock act Ry — who recently dropped his debut EP Unbothered — joined by Sexy Jay, Tonio, and Karilyo. The gig happens on 1 October at Sari Sari Bar, Makati City. Click here for more information about the launch show, and ticketing details.
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Novacain’s new era highlights their signature grit, balancing hauntingly familiar influences with bold experimentation — cementing their place as one of the most exciting forces in today’s Filipino alt-rock scene.
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