Saturday, August 31, 2024

International breakout star Dhruv releases debut album, Private Blizzard

Press photo, credit: Stefan Kohli

Private Blizzard, the debut album from breakout vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dhruv, is out today via Little Worry/RCA Records—get it HERE.

“When I was in high school and felt completely alone in my queerness, music held my hand and saw me through my private blizzard,” Dhruv says. “In this latest period of life, which has been turbulent in different ways, I have again found a sense of rootedness in making songs. No matter how far I stray, it’s what it has always come back to. I'm so grateful for what this album has done for me and so happy for it to be out in the world.”

Private Blizzard features Dhruv’s new single “One and Only” alongside previously released tracks “Grieving,” “Speed of Light,” “How?,” which Ones to Watch praised as “spellbinding,” and “Tragedy,” Dhruv’s first new music of 2024 which he performed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” for his late night T.V. debut in February.

Recorded in Nashville with Grammy-nominated producer JT Daly (Noah Kahan, Bully, Benson Boone), Private Blizzard reflects the full range of emotions Dhruv felt as he set out to make his debut album from a place of creative honesty. “I started in a place of numbness, and I didn’t really understand why I felt that way,” Dhruv shares. “The songs that I started out with were trying to help me unpack that feeling. The further along I got, I started feeling better—I just felt lighter.”

Allowing intuition to guide him more than in the past, Dhruv focused on developing his vocal range to give himself a larger canvas to express his changing emotions. From a sonic perspective, he and Daly worked together to arrive at a sound that incorporates classic live elements while retaining a modern feel. The result is an album that, above all else, feels true to Dhruv.

Born and raised in Singapore and of Indian descent, Dhruv’s fascination with music dates back to the age of five, hearing Bollywood soundtracks on the T.V. at his grandmother’s house. After years of writing songs privately, he put his studies at Yale on hold to make a go of music in earnest and began producing from his bedroom.

Dhruv burst into the spotlight after his 2019 single “double take” exploded globally, racking up hundreds of millions of streams worldwide. Soon after, he signed with Little Worry and RCA and, in 2022, he released his debut EP Rapunzel. He’s toured with Joji, sold out headline stops across the U.S. and the U.K. and a handful of dates in Asia in 2023, including two rare headline shows in India. NME praised Dhruv for creating “vital, anthemic” pop, while PAPER celebrated the power of his “intimate love songs” and CLASH hailed his “open and completely relatable” songwriting.

DHRUV—PRIVATE BLIZZARD

1. Ode To Boredom

2. California Winter

3. How?

4. Any Day

5. Tragedy

6. Grieving

7. Speed of Light

8. Lonely City Waltz (interlude)

9. Daggers

10. The Morning

11. Illusions

12. One and Only

Friday, August 30, 2024

Ahead of the launch of The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2, Prime Video holds a magnificent Asia Pacific Premiere in Singapore

From a special Show & Tell screening to exploring Gardens By The Bay, team of The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 spent 3 eventful days in Singapore ahead of the global release of the series

The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 will exclusively premiere worldwide on Prime Video on August 29, 2024, in more than 240 countries and territories

From left to right: Charlie Vickers, Tyroe Muhafidin, Charlotte Brändström, Megan Richards, David Simonsen (Director of Amazon Prime Video SEA and MENA), Charles Edwards, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Markella Kavenagh, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Trystan Gravelle and J.D. Payne

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Don’t miss the final week of Ayala Malls Cinemas’ “Thrill Fest” and watch the terrifying twosome of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “The Towering Inferno,” classic thrillers on the big screen from August 28 to September 3, for only P200 - P250!

 “Welcome to my nightmare.” 

So goes one of the most unforgettable lines of iconic monster Freddy Krueger, from director Wes Craven’s 1984 classic horror-slasher “A Nightmare on Elm Street.” 

Ayala Malls Cinemas’ annual Thrill Fest is now on its second week, and on its frightening lineup from August 28 to September 3 are two more Hollywood classics celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. The aforementioned “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” directed by horror-slasher favorite Wes Craven, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Joining “Nightmare” is a classic disaster-thriller from 1974, Academy Award winner “The Towering Inferno,” which is turning 50 this year. Moviegoers are in for a treat as they can watch remastered versions of these classics on the big screen for only P200 - P250. The Thrill Fest will run for only one more week, until September 3, so hurry and book your tickets! 

Barbie Almalbis explains overcoming internal struggles on new single “homeostasis”

The song serves as the second single off her upcoming fifth album, to be released at the end of the year

Photo by Nina Sandejas

Following the critically acclaimed comeback single “Desperate Hours” last month, Barbie Almalbis makes her early-awaited return to deliver another eclectic follow-up to mark the continuation of a new music era.

The award-winning singer-songwriter has released her second single, “homeostasis,” which was derived from a biological term that illustrates our body’s regulating process as a way to adjust to changing external conditions.

“I’m no scientist, so I’m using this concept very loosely and explaining it in the simple way I understand it,” explains the Dahilan pop-rock visionary. “It’s the process by which our body always returns to equilibrium, a balanced state, like how we involuntarily sweat when we’re too hot and shiver when we’re too cold. It’s the same with emotions: our body doesn’t want us to stay too ecstatic or too sad; it tries to bring us back to a steady state.”

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Get Ready for a Wild Adventure When ‘Joy Ride’ Premieres November on Lionsgate Play

Four unlikely friends who find themselves entangled in an unforgettable international escapade in this irreverent comedy.

What if your business trip turned into the wildest adventure of your life? From Adele Lim, the co-screenwriter of Crazy Rich Asians, Joy Ride is a riotous and bold comedy that embarks on a wild journey of identity and self-discovery.

When Audrey's (Ashley Park of Emily in Paris) business trip to Asia takes an unexpected turn, she calls upon her childhood best friend Lolo (Sherry Cola), whose irreverence and chaotic energy add a unique flavor to their adventure. Joining them are Kat (Oscar® nominee Stephanie Hsu), a college friend who has become a famous Chinese soap star, and Deadeye (Sabrina Wu), Lolo's eccentric cousin. Together, these four women navigate a series of outrageous and hilarious events that challenge their perceptions of friendship and belonging.

Ena Mori to celebrate birthday with second installment of Ena Matsuri

The acclaimed Japanese-Filipino pop star co-produces and programs a club-themed show featuring long sets by Ena and “friends”

Following the success of the inaugural edition of her birthday show, Japanese-Filipino indie artist Ena Mori returns with the second offering of Ena Matsuri, promising a more club-leaning, endorphin-inducing experience for her dedicated fan base and music fans alike.

The special event will take place at Justin Bella Alonte Photography Studio in Makati City on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. onwards. 

Monday, August 26, 2024

New Blood Rapper Carish Unveils “Di Na Ipipilit”

Rising talent Carish, a fresh voice in the rap scene, is making waves with his latest single, "Di Na Ipipilit." This new track showcases Carish's unique ability to blend personal experiences with compelling storytelling on a deep emotional level.

"Di Na Ipipilit" delves into the complex emotions of a relationship teetering on the edge. Carish draws from his own life, expressing the struggle of wanting to implement personal changes yet feeling unable to do so. “Naisulat ko to dahil siya sa sariling nararamdaman at sariling pinagdaan. Ang sinasabi diyan sa kanta Yan Ang gusto Kong ma-apply asking sarili. Diko ma apply sa sarili ko kaya tinago ko nalang sa kanta,” Carish shares, highlighting the introspective nature of his songwriting as a hip-hop artist.

The song paints a vivid picture of a man determined to fight for his relationship despite sensing his partner's growing distance. As it turns out, she is already unfaithful, a truth that remains hidden as he battles to keep their bond intact.

Miley Cyrus releases new global single & visual “End of the World” from Something Beautiful

Miley Cyrus unveils her new global single “End of the World,” the next chapter of her highly anticipated album, Something Beautiful, out May...