Dubbed the Philippines’ Queen of R&B, Kyla has officially returned to the music scene after seven years with her newest album Next Episode.
In a media conference with PUSH ABS-CBN, Kyla expressed her joy and relief at finally releasing a full-length album of all-original tracks.
“Sobrang tagal kong inabangan ang album na ito. We really worked so hard for this album, the whole process and all of it, the recording, the song writing. It's been a journey. It’s been really really great, itong Next Episode. I feel so relieved na finally maririnig niyo na ‘yung ilang years na namin ginawa na album,” Kyla told PUSH ABS-CBN.
The OPM icon hopes listeners will feel inspired and uplifted by the songs, two of which she personally wrote.
“I hope when you listen to these songs na ma-inspire kayo, na mabigyan ng hope ‘yung hearts niyo, ma-encourage kayo, and ma-inlove kayo and ma-happy kayo when you listen to my songs,” she shared.
“Lahat ng songs talaga is really R&B and everything is really written well, produced well and arranged well. I just can say na I’m really proud of it. This one is special and different,” she expressed. “Personal ito kasi it is the first time that I wrote something based on personal experiences like “Back to Bliss” and “Next Episode”.”
According to Kyla, Next Episode holds an extra special place in her career as it includes songs based on her personal experiences, such as the title track and the previously released single “Back to Bliss.”
“I don't want to say really na kakaiba siya sa ibang albums ko, but this album is like the first time I’ve written the songs from the longest time, like ‘yung huli nagsulat ako is 2014 pa. We carefully chose the songs, me and Jonathan, and this is also the second album na prinoduce, overall produce ni Jonathan,” she shared.
Working closely with Grammy Awards voting member and ABS-CBN Music Head of Creatives, Content, and Operations Jonathan Manalo, who served as the album’s overall producer, Kyla said she was deeply involved in the project.
“We started recording the album 2022. Although nadelay, pero very hands on kami. I’m thankful na Jonathan really allowed me to be involved in everything, make suggestions in backing vocals, and how I would be singing it,” she remarked.
Kyla went on: “I’m just thankful kay Jonathan kasi I don’t know if magagawa ko each and every song na ganyan without Jonathan, kasi nilabas niya ‘yung creative juices in me.”
Kyla admitted she had been discouraged to write new material for years but regained confidence through Jonathan’s encouragement.
“Ang tagal ko na kasing hindi nagsusulat. I’m so thankful kay Jonathan talaga. He is really the right person to be with while doing this whole entire album. He really pushed me talaga. I didn't want to write anymore kasi I was so discouraged. Pero sabi niya isulat ko lang whatever you feel, so I said okay sige, what if,” she shared.
“I wanted to sound na parang looking forward to something great and new and I want to sound light and helpful,” she added.
Jonathan, in turn, praised Kyla for rediscovering her voice as a songwriter, saying: “It’s beautifully written by Kyla. I encouraged her to write another song kasi we did another song together na pero sabi ko sa kaniya sumulat pa and ang galing niya na she wrote it by herself.”
The album’s title track, “Next Episode”, was inspired by thoughts of people starting new chapters in life and the emotions that come with leaving behind familiar things.
“Itong ‘Next Episode,’ isinulat ko siya thinking about people who are on the other side of the world. Naisip ko what if ako ‘yung aalis. I just wrote down everything na parang ‘yung range of emotions that someone might feel when you have to leave, like the things that you have to live in your life. Parang nilagay ko lang ‘yung posisyon ko doon and then ‘yung feeling din na having to try new things and opportunities na para new self-discovery,” she explained.
Released under ABS-CBN’s music label Star Music, Next Episode is now available on music streaming platforms.