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Alexz Johnson’s “Still Alive” is a celebration

Imagine that you are a promising young artist about to release your first album. You are able to create a record that you are very proud of, with the guidance of award-winning producer Greg Wells. You get signed to Epic Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music—one of the big three recording companies in the United States.

Everything seems to be doing fine, and your fans respond well to clips posted on your MySpace page. You look forward to getting the record out into the world, and going on tour to promote it. Unfortunately, a shakeup with your label’s administration forces them to drop multiple artists from their roster, including you.

That’s exactly what happened to Alexz Johnson over a decade ago, with Epic Records dropping her just as she is about to release her debut album “Weight”. The album has since leaked in its entirety, and demos have been released by Johnson through compilation albums. These songs have become part of her tour setlists, and she has since released music independently.

Last Friday, Alexz released “Still Alive”, her fourth studio album. What makes things different this time is that eight out of the eleven songs are new versions of tracks from her shelved debut album. Produced by her brother Brendan, these old songs are given new life with updated arrangements and lyrics.

Image source: Alexz Johnson on Apple Music

Some songs even get a complete make over, as is the case with “Shout”. The new version retains only the chorus from the 2009 incarnation, and the result is a powerful midtempo ballad with lyrics like “I don’t want you to love, I’d rather you be alone”.

On first single “Weight”, Alexz channels a vintage yet updated sound, complete with synths and luscious background vocals. “Lost and Found” and “Swallowed” are reminiscent of the acoustic-electronic fusion that Ellie Goulding experimented with in her earlier days, while “No Shame” and “Living in Colour” are groovy tracks that add flavor to the album’s soundscape.

It is the title track “Still Alive”, however, that emerges as the clear standout on this album. With an uplifting chorus, gorgeous vocals, and timely lyrics, the track is a testament to Johnson's mastery of her craft.

This reclamation is both a closing chapter and a celebration. The spirit of the shelved songs live on, while the updated sound signals a hopeful new era in Johnson’s career. While “Weight” may never see the light of day, “Still Alive” is an effort with a fresh take on songs that were locked away by a record label.

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A timeline of the events leading up to the closure of the ABS-CBN network

If you’re a Filipino, you probably grew up watching shows on the ABS-CBN channel. After all, they are the largest media conglomerate in the country. Numerous television and radio stations are under their umbrella—including ABS-CBN, ANC, Cinema One, Myx, and My Only Radio. They are a fixture of Filipino pop culture, and serve as a source of news and information for millions. It’s no surprise that the decision of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to issue a cease and desist order against the network shocked many Filipinos.

Image source: Patrick Roque, Wikimedia Commons

But even before the network signed off on May 5th at 7:52pm, the media giant was already subject to multiple threats. Their franchise was pending renewal at the House of Representatives since 2014, and three iterations of congress have left these bills untouched.

In November 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte publicly announced his objection against the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise during a ceremony in Boracay. He attributes this to the network’s failure to air his political campaign ads in 2016, as well as the broadcast of Senator Antonio Trillianes’ advertisement. The latter was controversial for criticizing Duterte’s demeanor and remarks. He also called the company “thieves”.

Known presidential ally and Senator Bong Go reaffirmed Duterte’s stand on the network during a hearing in February 2020. Go stated that while the president is “not vindictive”, the president was hurt by the fact that the political ads did not make it to air. He also showed Trillianes’ clip, which highlighted Duterte’s controversial remarks on rape during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Sen. Bong Go: Hindi po vindictive ang ating Pangulo... Siguro nakahanap lang kayo ng isang pangulong kumakasa talaga. #ABSCBNFranchise | via @michael_delizo pic.twitter.com/zGm6HFZSyn

— ABS-CBN News Channel (@ANCALERTS)

February 24, 2020

The same month, Duterte stated that he will leave the decision of the franchise renewal to the House of Representatives, after ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak issued an apology. Solicitor General Jose Calida then filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN. Calida cites the network’s pay-per-view services as grounds for the petition, and also mentioned the network’s ties with foreign companies. According to the petition, “criminal liability is also imposed on those who violate foreign equity restrictions and evade nationalization laws of the Philippines through various modes of proxy arrangement”.

On February 24, congress finally began tackling the issue of renewing the franchise. Multiple government agencies and offices stated that the network made no violations. This means that the company had no pending tax requirements and that the network’s pay-per-view services are covered by franchise laws. The Senate hearing concluded that no breaches were made against the law.

Image source: Paolo Romero, The STAR

The NTC then stated that they may issue a provisional authority to the company, allowing them to continue operating while congress tackles franchise renewal. Calida then fired back at the NTC on May 3rd, saying that the agency may be prosecuted for the act. Two days later, a cease and desist order was issued by the NTC, and the network went off the air the same evening.

Upon issue of the cease and desist order, social networking sites were filled with posts voicing out support for the network. Universities and organizations issued statements calling out the shutdown of the network as an act against press freedom. On top of that, people express concerns over the 11, 000 people whose jobs are at stake due to the situation.

LOOK: The De La Salle University lit up the St. La Salle Hall in the colors of red, blue, and green in solidarity with ABS-CBN as it goes off-air tonight, May 5, 2020, following a cease and desist order from the National Telecommunications Commission. (📷: DLSU Facebook page) pic.twitter.com/vUwHM6Cltu

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews)

May 5, 2020

READ: UST JOURNALISM SOCIETY STATEMENT ON THE CEASE AND DESIST ORDER ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO ABS-CBN#DefendPressFreedom#NoToABSCBNShutDown #RedefinedUSTJRN pic.twitter.com/ctx35Ikjpe

— The UST Journalism Society (@ustjrnsoc)

May 5, 2020

At a time like the COVID-19 pandemic, the accessibility of information is crucial. For some parts of the country, ABS-CBN is the sole network whose signals are picked up by local antennas. While the company’s cable networks and online platforms remain standing, being able to broadcast at the local TV channel is important to ensure the wide reach of news and current affairs.

Image source: Patrick Roque, Wikimedia Commons

The closure of the network is a cause of concern for press freedom in the Philippines. As more and more news reports cast a bad light on the government, it remains to be seen if the powers that be will allow media outlets to be “in service of the Filipino people”.

References

Buan, L. (2020, February 18). Calida moves to gag ABS-CBN on quo warranto case. Retrieved from Rappler: https://www.rappler.com/nation/252095-calida-motion-gag-order-supreme-court-abs-cbn-quo-warranto-case

Cabato, R. (2020, May 5). Philippines orders its largest broadcaster off the air as nation fights virus. Retrieved from The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/philippines-orders-its-largest-broadcaster-off-the-air-as-nation-fights-virus/2020/05/05/3d172b60-8eb4-11ea-9322-a29e75effc93_story.html

Cabico, G. K. (2020, February 24). Senators maintain nothing wrong, unconstitutional with ABS-CBN franchise hearing. Retrieved from Philstar: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2020/02/24/1995699/senators-maintain-nothing-wrong-unconstitutional-abs-cbn-franchise-hearing

Gomez, J. (2020, May 6). Watchdog Calls Closure of Philippines' Biggest Broadcaster an 'Outrageous Attack' on Media Freedom. Retrieved from Time: https://time.com/5832614/philippines-abs-cbn-shutdown-duterte-press-freedom/

Gregorio, X. (2020, May 5). ABS-CBN goes off air following NTC order. Retrieved from CNN Philippines: https://www.cnn.ph/news/2020/5/5/ABS-CBN-off-air-NTC.html

Ignacio, E. N. (2013). The Challenges of On-Line Diaspora Research. In S. J. Gold, & S. J. Nawyn, Handbook of International Migration (p. 549). London: Routledge.

Placido, D. (2018, November 8). Duterte to 'object' to ABS-CBN franchise renewal. Retrieved from ABS-CBN News: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/08/18/duterte-to-object-to-abs-cbn-franchise-renewal

Presidential Communications Operations Office. (2018, November 8). Speech of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during the ceremonial distribution of the Certificates of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) to Agrarian Reform beneficiaries. Retrieved from Presidential Communications Operations Office: https://pcoo.gov.ph/presidential-speech/speech-of-president-rodrigo-roa-duterte-during-the-ceremonial-distribution-of-the-certificates-of-land-ownership-award-cloa-to-agrarian-reform-beneficiaries/

Rey, A. (2020, February 24). Bong Go: It's those anti-Duterte ads on ABS-CBN that got the boss’ goat. Retrieved from Rappler: https://www.rappler.com/nation/252558-bong-go-on-anti-duterte-ads-abs-cbn-senate-hearing

Yap, D., Pazzibugan, D. J., Salaverria, L. B., & Gascon, M. (2020, February 2020). Duterte to ABS-CBN: Apology accepted but franchise up to House. Retrieved from Inquirer: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1233949/duterte-to-abs-cbn-apology-accepted-but-franchise-up-to-house

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Dua Lipa’s “Future Nostalgia” is a delectable slice of pop

The ongoing pandemic has left a lot of pop culture events postponed—from the Coachella Arts and Music Festival to the release of Lady Gaga’s upcoming album “Chromatica”. The spread of COVID-19 has caused such a huge impact on everyone’s lives, and now we are all stuck in our homes wondering when we can resume our usual routines.

Image (C) Warner Records

That’s why it’s no surprise that last week, Dua Lipa got emotional on an Instagram live video while talking about the release of her album Future Nostalgia. The Grammy Award-winning singer expressed concerns about releasing a dance pop album during the current climate:

I’ve been a little conflicted putting music out, and you know, whether it’s the right thing to do during this time because lots of people are suffering. 

                    - Dua Lipa on Instagram Live, March 23, 2020

Nonetheless, Lipa pushed through with the release of the album yesterday, March 27th. And in its entirety, the album is a cohesive body of work, drawing on a disco pop sound that, as the title suggests, feels both retro and modern.

The album opens with the title track, “Future Nostalgia”, which does a great job of introducing the soundscape that the album plays in. The verses are mostly composed of Dua talking, with clever lines such as “Like modern architecture, John Lautner coming your way” and “Can't be a Rolling Stone if you live in a glass house”.

The next track, the worldwide smash hit “Don’t Start Now”, showcases the groovy bass that runs predominantly on the album. The track is catchy and danceable, and despite being a pop radio staple for months, still feels fresh. It is exactly the kind of triumphant breakup anthem that will stand the test of time.

On tracks such as “Cool” and “Pretty Please”, a more subdued vibe is present as opposed to the album’s more upbeat cuts. Lipa’s voice is highlighted, with the more stripped back production complementing her unique tone. Other highlights on the album include the current UK single “Physical”, a banger that can go toe to toe with the Olivia Newton-John classic that is referenced in the chorus.

As you continue listening to the album, it becomes more obvious that Dua was very influenced by the sounds of the 80s and 90s, from Prince to Madonna. The album is not all disco though, as “Break My Heart” features a funky chorus that is somehow timely. She sings, “I should have stayed at home,” a line that will probably become a catchphrase in the coming weeks.

“Levitating” is another highlight, and a testament to Lipa’s ability to create hooks that sound like instant classics. The last two tracks (”Good in Bed” and “Boys Will Be Boys”) feature the same sass present in her self-titled 2017 album, although with less of the bombastic production in the rest of Future Nostalgia.

In today’s trap-dominated music scene, creating a fully pop record that resonates with the public is not an easy feat. But Dua Lipa is able to do just that, creating a cohesive world of danceable tracks and lush aesthetics. Future Nostalgia may just make the quarantine a bit more bearable for pop music enthusiasts.

Album Highlights: “Physical”, “Levitating”, “Break My Heart”

Rating: 5/5