Following the radiant charm of their critically acclaimed debut “Definitely Love!”, Alyson returns to the spotlight with “After Ours” — a sonically ambitious sophomore album released via Offshore Music Philippines.
Alyson’s second full-length album lingers in the aftermath of a romantic connection, exploring uncertainty after intimacy, the temptation that complicates devotion, and the painful realization that love endures not through perfection but through choice.
Embracing a more sophisticated approach to songwriting and production, “After Ours” treats the art of listening to albums as a sanctimonious experience, with each track carefully sequenced and every detail presented with intentionality at every level.
In an era increasingly dominated by algorithmic design and standalone singles, Alyson wants listeners to rediscover the beauty of experiencing albums as complete bodies of work that are meant to be lived through in sequence, with no skips. The record feels like one long night stretching into dawn.
Here’s a track-by-track description:
“Ikaw Lagi.” Opening the record with festive beats and magnetic arrangements, “Ikaw Lagi” is described as a “summery, ‘80s Latin-disco anthem” where the feelings of attraction and love are amplified to the max by its inescapable energy. The dance floor-ready track captures the excitement of attraction at the beginning of a night out: where possibility is endless and every glance feels electrifying.
“Landi.” A nighttime ‘80s dance floor track that takes listeners deeper into the long night, the song transports you to the set of the 1987 film, “Dirty Dancing.” It brings back the physicality and intimacy introduced in the previous album, showing two people unexpectedly synchronized to the beat amidst the chaos of the dance floor, getting closer, skin to skin, almost to a sensual breaking point.
“Bighani.” Exploring the connection between city pop and Brazilian tropical rhythms, the track marks the emotional escalation of the album. Beneath its shimmering production lies an internal conflict: temptation can drive a person crazy after a wonderful night, leading them to question their outlook on loyalty and love.
“Kung Sakaling Tanawin.” Delivering the record’s grandest emotional statements, the track gloriously channels the Manila Sound ballads from the ‘70s and ‘80s with sweeping orchestral arrangements ala Basil Valdez and Rey Valera. Drunk with nostalgia and yearning, the track meditates on the painful beauty of memory, asking whether love would still be chosen if one already knew how complicated and fragile everything would become.
“Talaga.” A playful synth-pop track inspired by both Pinoy and Japanese pop sensibilities circa 1986, the track chronicles a lover’s quarrel filled with teasing tension and undeniable chemistry. The release of the song is accompanied by a music video that pays tribute to the late-night music television performances of the ‘80s and ‘90s (e.g., Ryan Ryan Musikahan). It also features rising pop artist Paprikka, who is known for her charismatic singing and soulful delivery.
“Goodbye, Summer.” Integrating big band jazz, Motown grooves, city pop, and crooner-style Manila Sound into one cohesive package, the song is considered one of the album’s technical highlights. The groovy tune captures the exhaustion of heartbreak while confronting the lingering pain that still shadows it.
“24/7 Love & Care.” Handpicked as the album’s focus track, the song embodies the accessibility and warmth that define Alyson in their sincerest form. Featuring a simpler arrangement centered largely around the band’s five core members, the track represents clarity after emotional turbulence: a realization that despite temptation, confusion, and imperfection, there remains comfort and peace in enduring love.
“‘Di Makapaniwala.” Sitting at the intersection of Japanese city pop and Manila Sound, “‘Di Makapaniwala” is an earnest closing track meant to cap off the emotional complexities of a night that was. It’s a simple message of hopefulness for a love that can make it to the dawn.
Alyson’s “after ours” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Offshore Music Philippines. Watch the music video of “Talaga”, which debuted on YouTube last May 22.