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Toneejay

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1752802434494compo 1.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Photos from IV of Spades&#x27; and Toneejay&#x27;s Facebook pages"/>Photos from IV of Spades&#x27; and Toneejay&#x27;s Facebook pages</div>MANILA — Singer-songwriter Toneejay&#x27;s heartfelt Facebook post has resonated widely, offering a poignant reflection on IV of Spades&#x27; unexpected comeback and its deep emotional significance for a generation that grew up with the band&#x27;s music.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/7/16/iv-of-spades-springs-new-single-aura-on-unsuspecting-public-one-music-ph-1847">IV of Spades springs new single &#x27;Aura&#x27; on unsuspecting public</a></div>Published Thursday following the release of IV of Spades&#x27; new track “Aura,” the post quickly went viral due to its nostalgic tone and candid introspection. Toneejay, whose real name is TJ de Ocampo, recalled first hearing the band&#x27;s breakout hit “Mundo” in 2018. He described this as &quot;the last sleepover he would ever have with a particular group of friends.&quot;&quot;I went home in the afternoon, the guitar solo stuck in my head,” he wrote. “I’d never before met these cats who were a bit younger than me but clearly possessed talent beyond their age.”In the years that followed, Toneejay chronicled significant life events and cultural shifts, including leaving his first job, surviving the COVID-19 pandemic, getting married, and becoming a father. He noted that these personal transformations coincided with IV of Spades&#x27; own journey, encompassing their hiatus and the members&#x27; subsequent solo endeavors.“So when ‘Aura’ dropped on a random Wednesday… I had to stop in order to make space for all the million feelings and memories I thought I’d forgotten but now existed again,” he said.Toneejay&#x27;s post struck a chord with many online, particularly millennial listeners who shared similar feelings about aging and looking back on the pre-pandemic years with both fondness and longing. The artist connected the band&#x27;s return to broader reflections on personal growth and the relentless march of time.“They don’t even sound disco anymore,” he observed. “And we remember that we too have changed.”Toneejay, who began his career as the lead vocalist of indie folk band Munimuni before a successful solo career, shared that he has since encountered all four members of IV of Spades — Blaster Silonga, Badjao de Castro, Unique Salonga, and Zild Benitez — over the years.“And in case anyone’s wondering,” he added, “yes, I’m still envious. And I doubt I’ll ever get over that.”“Aura” marks IV of Spades&#x27; first new release in five years. The band, celebrated for their retro-funk style and distinctive aesthetics, had not released new music as a group since their 2020 hiatus. Their comeback has ignited a wave of excitement among fans and fellow musicians alike.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/music/2025/7/15/opm-artists-fans-react-as-iv-of-spades-drops-new-single-aura-2118">OPM artists, fans react as IV of Spades drops new single &#x27;Aura&#x27;</a></div>Toneejay&#x27;s widely shared post has been lauded for capturing what many describe as the emotional weight of the comeback — a moment that, for numerous individuals, represents more than just a song.“It’s about remembering the kind of people we were before everything changed,” he wrote.Read Toneejay&#x27;s entire Facebook post <a href="https://web.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1662785827892911&amp;set=a.874130093425159">here.</a>

Toneejay’s viral post on IV of Spades’ ‘Aura’ release captures the heartbreak, hope, and growing pains of a generation that grew up with ‘Mundo’. Nostalgic, honest, and deeply relatable—read what everyone’s talking about. 🌀🎸 #IVOS #Toneejay #Aura2025 #OPM

Toneejay’s viral post on IV of Spades’ ‘Aura’ release captures the heartbreak, hope, and growing pains of a generation that grew up with ‘Mundo’. Nostalgic, honest, and deeply relatable—read what everyone’s talking about. 🌀🎸 #IVOS #Toneejay #Aura2025 #OPM

Toneejay reflects on IV of Spades’ comeback with viral Facebook post

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Toneejay reflects on IV of Spades’ comeback with viral Facebook post

ABS-CBN News

Published July 18, 2025 10:02 AM PHT

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