The 7-track EP reflects SB19’s complex humanity and evolving artistry, while dealing with the constant pressures of fame, identity, and public opinion
Celebrating a journey marked by shared experience, invaluable wisdom, and artistic growth, SB19 returns with the release of their third EP, Simula at Wakas—out on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Their highly anticipated body of work captures the band’s evolution as artists and individuals, honoring the past while stepping boldly into the future.
“It’s our way of saying thank you and showing how much we’ve evolved,” the P-Pop kings share in an official statement. “Simula at Wakas encapsulates everything we’ve been through: the struggles, the growth, the milestones. We hope it speaks not only to those who’ve been with us from the start but also welcomes new listeners into our world.”
As the final installment in a trilogy that began with 2021’s pagsibol and 2023’s PAGTATAG!, Simula at Wakas chronicles the Filipino pop group’s artistic and personal transformation while signaling a bold, forward-looking direction. The EP explores the universal themes of closure and renewal, portraying the life of an artist as they navigate fame, pressure, and identity. The band further shared personal anecdotes and reflections on their journey to Simula at Wakas in the This is SB19 playlist on Spotify.
The P-Pop trailblazers explain, “It’s both a celebration of our journey so far and a declaration of what’s to come. We’re the same group as when we started. It's just that we’ve matured, evolved, and grown into artists who are more confident in our voice and purpose.”
Simula at Wakas showcases the DAM hitmakers' captivating and universally relatable sound, all while remaining true to their values as human beings. From emotionally resonant lyrics to innovative, genre-bending soundscapes, the EP offers a meaningful experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
The 7-track release is written and produced by SB19 with their trusted pool of international and local collaborators, including Xerxes Bakker, Alawn, August Rigo, Simon Servida, and Josue (RADKIDZ). The EP features the full creative involvement of all five members. SB19 admits that they took a hands-on approach in shaping every aspect of the project and were very deliberate in contributing not just musically but also creatively—from the narrative of each track to its visual interpretation, from the choreography to music videos.
“We held meetings almost every day to carefully discuss how each song would come together, from conceptualizing and message to planning how we could execute and promote the EP in ways we’ve never done before,” SB19 explains. “This is the first time after how many years that every member has been this hands-on. Everyone was involved in conceptualizing, producing, and writing the songs. But we also owe a lot to our collaborators who helped us push our ideas further and elevate the project on both the technical and creative sides.”
The envelope-pushing EP cements their position as one of the vital forces behind contemporary pop music in the Philippines and Southeast Asia for the last decade, providing a riveting insight into less explored paths and a thrilling outlook for future developments. Simula at Wakas contains 7 songs, including the now-viral single “DAM” and the focus tracks “DUNGKA!” and “Time.” The latter will be released with a music video at 12 noon.
The anthemic ballad “Time” essays the inevitability of time’s passing—an undeniable and unavoidable reality. As the lyrics go, “One day we’ll run out of time,” the song reveals a sobering reminder of life’s impermanence, yet one that inspires purpose and presence. “Hindi naman kami forever SB19,” acknowledges the five-piece act. “Nothing is permanent in this world, even from where we are at this point. Time will run out soon. All we can do is try our best and make the most out it.”
“DUNGKA!,” another focus track, vaults SB19 back to their experimental phase: evangelizing pop music in unrecognizably exciting form and embracing maximalist production with rave and hyper-pop elements. It’s easily one of the biggest surprises of the EP, standing its ground as both a sonic rebel and revelation.
To complement the EP’s release, SB19 introduces the DAM Tree, an immersive public art installation, now open to the public in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) until May 4, 2025. As part of the promotional campaign, fans can experience the world of Simula at Wakas through hanging parabolic sound domes where A’TIN first heard exclusive track previews from the EP. Beyond the immersive listening experience, visitors also get the chance to win exciting prizes, quickly becoming a hotspot for fan frenzy.
“A tree, by nature, reflects life’s different stages, starting from a seed, growing roots, eventually branching out and bearing,” the group explains. “That aligns with the message of DAM and the EP as a whole: acknowledging where we began, embracing how we’ve evolved, and looking ahead to what’s next. The DAM Tree is not just a design; it’s an experience. We wanted people to feel connected to the music in a more immersive way. It’s our way of turning the emotions behind Simula at Wakas into something you can actually see and feel.”
Further solidifying this milestone, SB19 will kick off the ‘Simula at Wakas’ World Tour with two landmark concerts at the iconic Philippine Arena on May 31, 2025, and June 1, 2025, with the first one already sold out. The tour will span across major cities in Taiwan, the United States, Canada, Singapore, and the Middle East from June to October this year, with additional stops in Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong to be announced.
“We’ve been working on new arrangements for some of our songs, and we’re really excited for fans to hear them,” the group shares. “We’ll be performing tracks from our latest EP, Simula at Wakas, and we can’t wait to share the energy and emotion behind each song. Every performance has been thoughtfully prepared, and we’re really looking forward to seeing how our fans react to these new versions of our music. Each day will be a different experience!”
Listen to ‘Simula at Wakas’ Track list:
1. DAM
2. Time
3. 8TonBall
4. Quit
5. Shooting for the Stars
6. DUNGKA!
7. DAM (Extended Ver.)
SB19’s EP, Simula at Wakas is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Stay tuned for the release of the “Time” music video to be released at 12 nn.
Day 2 tickets to the Philippine Arena concert is still available via SM tickets.
Watch out for their upcoming Listening Party on Spotify (to be announced on SB19's socials soon).
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsb19
