Gab Cabangon returns with the release of ‘Kama’, depicting love as a sense of solace that wraps its arms around the listener, comforting them.
Written by Cabangon, the song gently reminds listeners that rest is essential, not optional, in a world that never slows down. “I just wanted to write a comforting love song about how it’s okay to allow yourself to rest and lean on the people who matter,” he muses. “We live in such a fast-paced, demanding world, but we don’t have to face them alone. Sometimes, taking a pause helps us recharge before moving forward.”
The duality of the message comes through, with the song tackling workplace toxicity as well, in a world that prioritises productivity over mental health and downtime. The idea for ‘Kama’ came after a particularly stressful day of work for Gab, as he channelled the emotion into the track to capture the relatable feelings that were coursing through him.
“I started thinking about how I needed to solve all my work problems immediately even though I was drained. Then I decided to take a break and just write a song as a way to process my thoughts. I think at that time I was also listening heavily to songs like ‘Kumot’ by Solace Out the Door, ‘Tulog Na’ by Sugarfree, and ‘Janice’ by Dilaw. The result of that whole process was this love song.”
Produced by Gab Cabangon and David Lina, and mixed and mastered by Shadiel Chan and Jan Fuertez, the track strays from the usual sonic arrangements that Gab opts for, taking on a more dreamy, R&B-infused bedroom pop sound instead. The experimentation with genre shows Gab’s incredible versatility when it comes to music, revealing a soulful side of Gab, subtly shifting from his signature minimalist style while keeping the warm, intimate melodies of his early work.
“I’m not really known for doing these particular music styles, so I’m excited to see how people would respond. It’s definitely way less ‘sadboi’, but you’ll still feel the singer-songwriter vibe that was present in my last single.”
‘Kama’ features backing vocals from Filipino singer-songwriters vydd and Kyla Miel Cameron of Solace Out the Door, with additional harmonies by Cabangon’s wife, Angeli. Trumpet and flugelhorn contributions from Gabriel Lazaro further enrich the track’s warm, layered sound.
The release will be celebrated with a mini bar and café tour across Metro Manila, happening from 13 February to 14 March, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the dreamy, R&B-infused warmth of ‘Kama’. With its soothing melodies, intimate vocals, and layered harmonies, the track invites listeners to pause, breathe, and feel the comforting embrace of love and rest, reminding us all that it’s okay to lean on others and take a moment for ourselves.
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