Adrian's Mid-Year Melodies 2025: The words, the vibes, the feels

Answering the question "Kumusta?" ("How are you?" in Filipino) can take a lot of time. Even when one can simply say "Okay lang" ("Just fine"), there's much to expound within those two words, often to find out things haven't really been "just fine." And likely it would take more than a few minutes to explain how one has been. Yet, with work consuming much of my (and my friends') time and energy, I've realized it has not been easy anymore to tell somebody how I've really been.

It remains astounding to see that we have passed midway through this year, much more that I've reached another year in life personally, now two years short of marking my third decade (and becoming an older single). Yet, it seems that whenever I've tried to reflect on these spans of time, it's hard to pinpoint where to start.

Thankfully, as I've started compiling playlists to mark each year and mid-year, I can now reflect on life easily by recalling the songs I've liked recently and identifying them with significant moments or experiences. 

With that, I share with you my Mid-Year Melodies for this year, 2025.

Within this playlist are 52 songs, many of which are recent releases, from new tracks from the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) scene, much loved entries from the recent Eurovision Song Contest, to favorites from rotating songs in BBC Radio 2's New Music Playlist. Of course, there are blasts from the past, including soul masterpieces, sophisti-pop finds, picks from a reuniting pop duo, and even a staple soundtrack to Sundays.

Out of those songs, I highlight ten tracks for this blog, reminisce certain moments, and relish musings.

1. In The Night - Fly By Midnight

Fly By Midnight is one of my great discoveries from Spotify this year, starting with "Different Lives" back in January. This duo just gets the feels with that song, especially with the duet version with Rachel Grae. Whenever I hear that, the mood suddenly turns sentimental. 

But I'm highlighting this song I discovered next after "Different Lives," which just amazed me at first listen with its sparkling keys and smooth sax. And, of course, the words spoke to me. While they convey more of a romantic and intimate vibe, for me it sparked in me a thought about being more present and active in the wee hours than in the regular work hours — mostly for work and expected work.

And I found myself wondering — what if I finally try something I've been wanting to do, and maybe start doing it in the wee hours? Maybe it will more of a delight than a chore. I might get tired, but I'd consider the work less tiresome. Besides, I've often been up at night to do stuff; I might as well do something I'd really love to do.

I can imagine the first songs I'll play on my first day: "Radio" by The Corrs, then maybe this track — sort of a welcoming address to whoever's tuned in the wireless that I'd like to make a connection with them, that they're not alone, and that we can share this safe space together — their thoughts or greetings and my tracks — through the night. "It only makes sense in the night."

Perhaps, though, I'd have to wake my voice up and apply what I've learned in one day-long convention to make this happen. And I have to make a lot of preparations, which can take years, I guess.

2. End of The World - Miley Cyrus 

United Kingdom's BBC Radio 2, played live or on-demand, has often been my background at commutes, at work, and even when I walk in the neighborhood at night. It's a great choice to listen to, enjoying classics across decades while discovering new tracks which they play several times in a day (without being too bothersome). In the past months, these new songs include "Heart by Heart" by Jonas Brothers, "Never Say Never" by Beverley Knight and Billy Porter, "Azizam" by Ed Sheeran, and this 70s-leaning track from Miley Cyrus — a rare like from a pop artist's discography.

I'm highlighting this track since it reminds me of the first broadcasts of presenter Richie Anderson in his early programme every Monday on Radio 2. In the UK, it airs midnight to 3 a.m., but here in the Philippines it serves as a "breakfast show," at least to me. 

Often, waking up on Mondays, especially early for a noontime meeting, can be a drag, but listening to Mr. Anderson's program becomes a reason for me to get up and get moving. It's a Monday Motivation, indeed.

3. All I Do - Stevie Wonder

And speaking of Radio 2 shows, a highlight of this first half of 2025 is the mid-afternoon show of Trevor Nelson, which began airing in late January. Since late 2023, I've been an avid listener of his night-time show Rhythm Nation, where I've discovered and nurtured my love for soul and RnB through from his awesome curations. As he moved to afternoons (which is late night here on my end), it has become much easier to catch him and his selections live on air.

I can remember the first broadcast in Jan. 27. I haven't gone home yet from an event our paper hosted, and I dined in at a nearby cafe before heading to a bus. That's where I first heard Mr. Nelson's show, and it astounded me. While pop tracks are mixed in the playlist, his choices still stand out in his "Trevor Trove" and "Old Skool Run" segments.

And to signify that joy in listening to his show, often when I'm trying to call it a work day or I have decided I needed to work a little more, I highlight this lovely track from Stevie Wonder — which Mr. Nelson played in one of his "Trevor Trove" moments. And, worth noting, he also played Mr. Wonder in his last Rhythm Nation show ("As") and his first afternoon show ("Another Star").

4. If Ever You're In My Arms Again - Peabo Bryson

Believe me, this has nothing much to do with the words in this song, but rather in the vibes it's been giving in social media and on-ground.

This must have started with videos on Facebook depicting what a typical Sunday morning sounds like: the croaking of a rooster, the woofing of a pet dog, the sweeping of leaves at a concrete road, a sound of an angle grinder somewhere, all complemented by an oldies hit on the radio — one of which is this Filipino favorite from Peabo Bryson.

My wacky mind, inspired by the memes, made me come up with a playlist compiling soft/lite rock songs that can be a background to a welding or construction activity, hence the title #WeldingHits. I've tried the playlist on background while on a bus and, more significantly, while walking along the streets of the Ayala central business district. And, for some reason, listening to that playlist, especially this song, while strolling along streets in Ayala, is such a vibe. It's a different feel. When I'd post Instagram stories about my visits in Makati, I'd really use this song as a background.

What turned out to be a play at humor has become a discovery of a unique vibe. 

5. Slow - Rumer

Rumer is another discovery from Radio 2, when I saw one of the station's Instagram stories from the artist's Piano Room performance. Her smoothened rendition of the upbeat song "Dangerous" for Piano Room got me even before listening to the entire set. Soon, I'd dive into her discography, amazed at the mellow songs from her first albums, such as this one. Rumer's soulful music can sail you through a hectic weekday, as well as fit into a sentimental mood on a weekend afternoon. And this debut single inspires a thought on slowing one's pace amid a fast-moving world, although it speaks more of taking a "slow burn" in relationship or hesitating on making an advance. I can relate to both.

6. Question of Faith - Lighthouse Family

Thanks to an advanced birthday gift from someone I consider my spiritual brother (Shoutout to Kuya Mark!) — a physical copy of Lighthouse Family's Postcards from Heaven — I've discovered a profound track from the duo besides the popular "High", "Lost In Space", and "Ocean Drive."

"Question of Faith" is one of my favorite tracks from this album. It speaks a lot in a matter of minutes: the struggle to articulate your feelings, the yearning for answers and solutions, and the hope that still nudges one to keep going amid adversity. And so it speaks to me in the context of many things: feeling left behind among friends in the great things in life; getting tired work day after day; finding one's self at a loss while grappling with reality.

7. MUTT - Leon Thomas

 

I must have heard this since last year, but it made more sense this year after hearing it again while driving to and from a despedida for one of my former colleagues.

After getting along with its awesome sampling and beats, I can just savor the words Mr. Thomas said he wrote upon associating his dog's behavior with that of his own. That made me remember how human I am, how hungry, awkward, and frail I can be (how much more apart from God's grace); and yet I can still show up with good intentions (again, by God's grace).

8. The Day You Went Away - M2M (2025)

Earlier last May, I was given the chance to watch M2M in their concert at Araneta Coliseum (Thanks again, Kuya Mark!). It was surreal to be among many who witnessed the result of Marit and Marion's reunion after a chance encounter at a coffee shop.

I entered the concert venue looking forward to hear their hits, but I left with much more to revisit, among which are in the playlist as well (Marion's "The Minute" and Marit's "I Don't Want to Talk About It"). 

And recently, they released the album Still in my dreams, bringing new takes on their most memorable songs. As I listened through the tracks, I felt as if my ears are being nursed and lullabied to chill down. Another dose of comfort care of music.

9. Multo - Cup of Joe 

I must say this is one of the best OPM songs that have been written recently. Very descript sceneries expressed in poetic Filipino, wrapped in the modern sound of rock. And, like many who have talked much about this song, it has also spoken to me about the things and feelings that have haunted me in past months. 

My multo? Perhaps it used to be feelings of vengefulness or mistrust, which by God's grace we've learned to fight with kindness and grace. Not only are the first lines of the chorus worth appreciating; but also the penultimate line — "Pasindi na ng ilaw..." We need a Light to conquer the darkness within us, indeed.

But, I'd emphasize another multo, which I realized while in a grocery run. I'm not sure if it was a Maundy Thursday, but I remember the sequence. After getting the items in my list, I stopped by a shelf to compute everything in my cart. And as I totaled them all, I deeply felt the struggle of keeping a budget, and soon I'd spiral down thoughts about my capability to earn, my apparent complacency on things, etc.

It was a time of abundant resources, so I somehow have a leeway to go beyond the expected allotment. But seeing the total, and then remembering the other things I have to pay for, I realized how hard it is to limit one's self to a budget, how hard it is to save, and how hard it is to keep your personal economics afloat. The Philippine economy claims it has strong fundamentals, while I am here feeling the "peligro" before its expected "petsa." Friends and peers around me seem to be enjoying the fine things in life, while here I am trying to figure out to make my finances survive until the next paycheck.

All these as this Cup of Joe masterpiece faintly plays in the background.

10. Naiilang - Le John

And completing this list is another local find that's worth our attention. I came by this song thanks to one of my friends in the media (Hi Gab!) sharing this song, even covering it.

I got hooked into this song, not necessarily because I can relate the words to a real life situation; but it's more of the somber, revelatory, and even confrontational feels it gives whenever I listen. In simple words, nakaka-senti; and sometimes we need something like that in the middle of our commutes, work modes, or errands — just to introspect and feel the moment we are in amid the hustle of the world out there.

And recently, I get to do that while I'm listening to a well-known name in Philippine radio history — 96.3 WRocK. It used to be in 96.3 FM in Mega Manila from the late 80s to most of the 00s, long before the current Easy Rock have soundtracked UV Express rides for many. Now, from a top floor at a hotel in Cebu City, WRocK continues to live its legacy of "lite rock," playing not just staple classic hits that are easy to the ears, but also new picks, album cuts, and much OPM. Thanks to the internet, such legacy is not just for listeners in Cebu to enjoy but for the archipelago and the world to enjoy. And I think songs like "Naiilang" will be a great fit to the WRocK playlist.

I'm thankful I got to write (and finish) this in spite of a very busy routine and even a lazy birthday week 😅 I hope you enjoyed reading this and (maybe) discovering songs to add to your playlist. 

Here's a Spotify playlist bringing all those tracks (and much, much more) together 👉 (click here)

Not on Spotify? Here's a YouTube playlist for you 👉 (click here)

I've also shared some more stories behind my selections on my Instagram (@adrianconoza). Just look for my highlights under Melodies '25.

May the rest of the year be productive and kind to us, dear reader! 🥂 Thank you for your time!