Embark on a delicate and introspective journey traversing the realms of love, loss, and reminiscing on fond memories that are long gone with the vowels they orbit (tvto) as they unveil their EP gusto ko lang maalala.
At the core of the four-track record is the heart-wrenching focus track 'miss na kita' that captures the pain of longing and yearning for someone, for a person, a memory, or your former self. Lead vocalist Nikka Melchor dives deeper into the story and message behind the track as he expresses, "I wrote 'miss na kita' one morning because I wanted to express that sudden feeling of missing your younger self. But it’s not limited to that narrative. The meaning differs per person, from loss of self to loss of a loved one."
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"It’s about longing: for someone, something, a moment in time, or a dream. It’s like wanting to stop time just to breathe for a while or turn it back to experience those things again," guitarist Gene Santiago adds.
The EP carries itself with an air of emotion and elegance that comes through with every note, beat, and lyric that is woven together, creating the cohesive concept and musical individuality of the album. Each track pushes the intensity of nostalgia that makes it feel like a walk down memory lane.
“When we started coming up with our individual parts, one of the things I asked my bandmates to do was to really listen to the emotions of the lyrics,” Nikka shares. “That was one of our conscious efforts for this EP. Even small details like the basslines in ‘miss na kita’ dancing along to the sadness on the second verse, or the guitar work in ‘para bago’ sounding like a flashback — these things are vital and part of the emotional cues.”
The EP was produced by Soupstar Music’s Darwin Hernandez, with arrangements by Eraserheads legends Raymund Marasigan and Buddy Zabala, and additional production from Gracenote’s Eunice Jorge. Recorded at Velvet Playground Studio in Marikina, it also marks tvto’s debut session in the space. The talented team behind the album enhances its personal touch and undeniable authenticity.
The band recalls their time working with these talented musicians and producers as they share, “Working with Raymund and Buddy was surreal. We were nervous at first, but they made the process chill and collaborative. It was amazing how even small changes transformed the song completely. We learned so much in just one session.”
Capturing every shade of longing and yearning, the record is a beautiful gradient that portrays pain, memories, and peace conveyed through the reflective tone of 'miss na kita' to the lively yet nostalgic feel of 'basta' and 'para bago,' each track carries the narrative of the album seamlessly.
gusto ko lang maalala stands as a heartfelt reflection of growth, memory, and the quiet ache of what once was. With its tender storytelling and emotional depth, the vowels they orbit remind listeners that longing, while bittersweet, is also proof of love.
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