SB19 Justin releases first solo track ‘surreal’ | ABS-CBN
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SB19 Justin releases first solo track ‘surreal’
SB19 Justin releases first solo track ‘surreal’
SB19's youngest member, Justin De Dios, officially debuted as a solo artist with his new single "surreal" on Thursday, February 29.
SB19's youngest member, Justin De Dios, officially debuted as a solo artist with his new single "surreal" on Thursday, February 29.
Released at 12 midnight, the music video was the first step of his new journey in his career aside from being a part of one of P-pop's most popular groups, SB19.
Released at 12 midnight, the music video was the first step of his new journey in his career aside from being a part of one of P-pop's most popular groups, SB19.
“Surreal means having someone who imagines things the same way you do. Parang kung mayroon kang special someone na parang parehas kayo ng vision, nagkakaintindihan kayo, yung feeling na yun yung gusto kong ilabas for 'surreal,'” the singer said during his music video private launching on Tuesday, February 27 at Novotel in Quezon City.
“Surreal means having someone who imagines things the same way you do. Parang kung mayroon kang special someone na parang parehas kayo ng vision, nagkakaintindihan kayo, yung feeling na yun yung gusto kong ilabas for 'surreal,'” the singer said during his music video private launching on Tuesday, February 27 at Novotel in Quezon City.

"It's all these scenarios that are unlikely to happen in the real world, but you find them as an escape from reality, so you continue to dream and dream... And surprisingly, you found someone who enjoys imagination as much as you do," he stated in a press release.
"It's all these scenarios that are unlikely to happen in the real world, but you find them as an escape from reality, so you continue to dream and dream... And surprisingly, you found someone who enjoys imagination as much as you do," he stated in a press release.
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Justin also revealed that he took part in his single's creation as the songwriter.
Justin also revealed that he took part in his single's creation as the songwriter.
“Nagcome up po siya from the song I wrote before, so I decided na irealease,” he shared.
“Nagcome up po siya from the song I wrote before, so I decided na irealease,” he shared.
He went on: “Two years ago noong nagsusulat ako ng song, nakasulat ako ng mga 3 or 4 songs that time and si 'surreal' yung pinaka-almost done or parang ‘oh eto okay na siya’, parang yun yung pinaka nafeel ko po sa song. Two years after, nadecide ko na iconceptualize na siya, gawan ko kung ano yung visuals niya, so doon ko na-ano na ‘oh okay pasok talaga siya’, na gawin kong debut single.”
He went on: “Two years ago noong nagsusulat ako ng song, nakasulat ako ng mga 3 or 4 songs that time and si 'surreal' yung pinaka-almost done or parang ‘oh eto okay na siya’, parang yun yung pinaka nafeel ko po sa song. Two years after, nadecide ko na iconceptualize na siya, gawan ko kung ano yung visuals niya, so doon ko na-ano na ‘oh okay pasok talaga siya’, na gawin kong debut single.”
Besides its beautiful and heartwarming lyrics, the track also serves as a collaboration with Radkidz's PABLO and Josue, who took part as the producer of the track.
Besides its beautiful and heartwarming lyrics, the track also serves as a collaboration with Radkidz's PABLO and Josue, who took part as the producer of the track.
"At first, when I wrote the lyrics with an initial melody, I thought they'd just tweak it. But the beautiful track they did, rich in harmonies and embellishment, sounds so fresh and new to my ears that I somehow forgot I wrote it in the first place. Both of them really enhanced my demo with a song that exceeded my expectations," Justin expressed.
"At first, when I wrote the lyrics with an initial melody, I thought they'd just tweak it. But the beautiful track they did, rich in harmonies and embellishment, sounds so fresh and new to my ears that I somehow forgot I wrote it in the first place. Both of them really enhanced my demo with a song that exceeded my expectations," Justin expressed.
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He also said during the MV private launching: “Actually sabi nga ni Pablo noong natapos na yung kanta ‘ah masaya rin pala gumawa ng kanta ng iba’. Parang ang takeaway niya po na galing from a different interpretation or may ibang mind or point of view ng gagawin na kanta.
He also said during the MV private launching: “Actually sabi nga ni Pablo noong natapos na yung kanta ‘ah masaya rin pala gumawa ng kanta ng iba’. Parang ang takeaway niya po na galing from a different interpretation or may ibang mind or point of view ng gagawin na kanta.
“For me rin po, noong ginagawa yung kanta, iba yung ineexpect ko sa kinalabasan din talaga. From my own interpretation noong sinulat ko po yung kanta tapos dinagdagan po noong interpretation nina PABLO at Josue, ‘oh ang galing.’ Beyond expectations yung nangyari so I’m very happy na ganoon yung kinalabasan,” he remarked.
“For me rin po, noong ginagawa yung kanta, iba yung ineexpect ko sa kinalabasan din talaga. From my own interpretation noong sinulat ko po yung kanta tapos dinagdagan po noong interpretation nina PABLO at Josue, ‘oh ang galing.’ Beyond expectations yung nangyari so I’m very happy na ganoon yung kinalabasan,” he remarked.
The song also features Gelou of Filipina girl group YARA on the bridge and the last chorus.
The song also features Gelou of Filipina girl group YARA on the bridge and the last chorus.
During the music video watch party, Justin showed beautiful visuals through the MV.
During the music video watch party, Justin showed beautiful visuals through the MV.
"Surreal" was shot in Benguet, Zambales, and South Korea, showing different visuals from different seasons of summer, winter, fall, and spring.
"Surreal" was shot in Benguet, Zambales, and South Korea, showing different visuals from different seasons of summer, winter, fall, and spring.
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“As a Filipino visionary artist at the crossroads of various creative disciplines, Justin sets his heart on sharing his artistic vision with the song he can rightfully claim as his own, while also being open to the ideas and strengths of his trusted collaborators,” a press release stated.
“As a Filipino visionary artist at the crossroads of various creative disciplines, Justin sets his heart on sharing his artistic vision with the song he can rightfully claim as his own, while also being open to the ideas and strengths of his trusted collaborators,” a press release stated.
Justin served as the director of his first single's MV. H also conceptualized the music video. He was also joined by his college batchmate and now Creative Manager of 1Z, Xi-Anne Avanceña.
Justin served as the director of his first single's MV. H also conceptualized the music video. He was also joined by his college batchmate and now Creative Manager of 1Z, Xi-Anne Avanceña.
He stated, "Surreal's MV is a collaboration with the most creative team I know. Joining us are Alan Ante and Stephanie Joy Cea as directors of photography for this project. They were very fun and nice to work with. They really understand what the song is trying to say.”
He stated, "Surreal's MV is a collaboration with the most creative team I know. Joining us are Alan Ante and Stephanie Joy Cea as directors of photography for this project. They were very fun and nice to work with. They really understand what the song is trying to say.”
Justin's "surreal" is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
Justin's "surreal" is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
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