Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Anna Cerezo

ABS-CBN News

<p>Los Angeles-based Filipino artist JMKO took an unconventional route in releasing his new single “Malibu,” preserving the original vocals he recorded in a storage closet after the song’s files were stolen before he could re-record them. </p><p>The song is a collaboration with his former roommate. </p><p>“One morning he showed me the chorus of ‘Malibu,’ and he said, ‘Why don’t you turn this into a song?’ So we started experimenting,” JMKO said.</p><div><a href="https://corporate.abs-cbn.com/newsroom/news-releases/2026/7/21/filipino-singer-producer-jmko-launches-new-era-with-malibu-a-cinematic-reflection-on-memory-identity-and-finding-home?lang=en"><strong>Filipino singer-producer JMKO launches new era with &quot;Malibu,&quot; a cinematic reflection on memory, identity, and finding home</strong></a></div><p>The vocals were recorded inside what he described as “a toy closet” while visiting his brother’s family in Ohio.  Unfortunately, before he could return to the studio, his car was broken with thieves taking his computer, microphone, and the original project files. </p><p>“All the files were stolen. Nawala ang files ko ng ‘Malibu.’ I just had to send a rough mix to a mastering engineer,” he said. “We kind of decided not to re-record it and just keep the original because it has that initial magic. I don’t think you can replicate that if we reproduced it.” </p><p>JMKO added he believes the song’s emotional impact mattered more than achieving a polished recording.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/music/2026/6/1/maki-embraces-bittersweet-love-in-new-single-habangbuhay-pansamantala-0943"><strong>Maki embraces bittersweet love in new single &#x27;habangbuhay pansamantala&#x27;<br/></strong></a></div><p>“It would have been better if, I rerecorded it and reproduced it. But I think as cliche as this sounds— it&#x27;s still about the emotion that you feel when you listen to the song.  And when I first listened to the final version, I really couldn&#x27;t stop listening to it. And as in nonstop over and over,” he recalled. “While I was listening to it, I even visualized in my head, I was performing it already on a big stage, which I am doing in two weeks… I am happy and satisfied.”</p><p>JMKO is set to perform “Malibu” as he opens for BINI for their Signals World Tour. He is also eyeing to release an EP before the year ends.</p><div> </div>

<p>Los Angeles-based Filipino artist JMKO took an unconventional route in releasing his new single “Malibu,” preserving the original vocals he recorded in a storage closet after the song’s files were stolen before he could re-record them.</p>

Los Angeles-based Filipino artist JMKO took an unconventional route in releasing his new single “Malibu,” preserving the original vocals he recorded in a storage closet after the song’s files were stolen before he could re-record them.

JMKO revealed ‘Malibu’ was recorded in a storage closet, released despite stolen files

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JMKO revealed ‘Malibu’ was recorded in a storage closet, released despite stolen files

Anna Cerezo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 28, 2026 12:48 AM PHT

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