Before her first album came out, Juris had to do token vocals for her home-studio’s network (ABS-CBN), lending her voice to themes for telenovelas and cheesy Star Cinema movies. Observers were then doubtful if Juris could establish her legitimacy as a solo music artist, given that she seemed to be doing the MYMP formula of reviving old hit songs. But when her first album came out, she debunked all doubts as 80% of the songs in the album were originals, including a few she penned herself. All of the songs she released from the album where originals, and the revivals that were there, were included as she had done them before for various projects with the Star Network (ABS-CBN). It went on to sell platinum, and her biggest hit was an original Filipino Ballad, Di Lang Ikaw. The first album had so many heartbreaking songs, I joked that she seemed to be like the Sarah Bareilles of the Philippines
Now she’s got a new album out. It has a considerable share of revivals as I believe most local Pop artist cannot escape upon. One is Minsan lang Kitang Iibigin, which she did as a themesong of yet another Telenovela. She also has her version of a hit by Pops Fernandez [no relation to her]. And of course, she did her own version of Side A’s “Forevermore“, which I heard is the themesong of her own lovelife. But I heard that the first single they will be releasing is Kahit di Mo Sabihin an original track penned by Jonathan Manalo (one of the songwriters I truly admire, ever since I heard his composition “Tara Tena”, which he wrote when he was still a teen). It’s a painful lovesong about heartbreak, reminiscent of old 90′s heartbreak songs from Regine Velasquez and Rachel Alejandro.
There are two other tracks in the album, which I’m not sure if are originals or revivals. The song “If You and Me” was written by Koreans and “Wishes” had foreign-sounding songwriters too. Both tracks are pleasing to the ear, but I would argue, not too age-appropriate for women Juris’ age. Fortunately Juris’ voice is so soothing, it can pass for a highschool student. In fact, Juris can very well lend voice to a Disney princess, much like Lea Salonga did, because both their voices don’t seem to age. Anyway, the sentiments of the two songs are ‘cute’ and I’m sure teens can really relate.
Another song worthy of note is I Believe in You, which I would like to add in my wedding playlist. Again, it’s a nice and inspiring ballad.
My two favorite tracks would probably be “Sabihin Mo Lang” penned by Trina Belamide and “Magkaibang Mundo” written by former Sugarfree frontman Ebe Dancel. Sabihin Mo Lang is basically a declaration of love, reminiscent of old Rey Valera songs. Meanwhile Magkaibang Mundo is painfully wonderful song about undeclared/unexpressed love. I think Magkaibang Mundo is the kind of song you want to make as a love-theme for a TV series like Imortal or an epic movie because the song just sounds so epic… the depth of emotion in the lyrics, the instrumentation and the melody, and the vocal arrangement. The lyrics are quite simple, but the song feels so big.
Juris’ second album is equally strong as the first. Although there were many powerful singles in the first album, the second album makes up for it by having really strong Pilipino songs. The kinds of pop-songs I miss. Her “Forevermore” album is definitely a winner, worth paying pesos for.
I wish local pop artists will not always take the lazy route of revivals. I believe the more famous ones among the local pop artists have the fan base to use as leverage to take some risks and release new songs. And I do hope more composers come out to write songs for them. Mabuhay ang OPM!
Tracklisting
1. Dreaming Away
2. Forevermore
3. I Believe In You
4. Don't Say Goodbye
5. Bliss
6. Magkaibang Mundo
7. Sabihin Mo Lang
8. Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin
9. Kahit 'Di Mo Sabihin
10. Not Like You
11. If You And Me
12. Wishes
13. Kahit Di Mo Sabihin (full length)
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