Labit debuts heartfelt coming-of-age album ‘Sol’

Filipino-American singer, songwriter, and storyteller Labit shares his debut album ‘SOL’. Named in honour of his grandmother Solita (“Grandma Sol”), ‘SOL’ is a widescreen coming-of-age statement that turns kitchen-table wisdom, late-night truth-talks, and hard-won self-belief into vivid storytelling.

Fans can stream the album HERE.

Across 18 tracks, Labit blends honeyed vocals, warm analog textures, and diaristic lyrics into songs that feel both lived-in and cinematic at once. Whether he’s reflecting on family, identity, or the tender chaos of growing up, the result is a body of work that feels intimate yet expansive — rooted in real life, but resonating far beyond it.

“‘SOL’ is me taking stock of who raised me, what shaped me, and how to move forward with grace. These songs are about finding clarity: in love, in family, and in myself,” Labit said.

In the advance singles, Labit had already started sketching out the album’s emotional arc. “MANGOES AND RICE” is an intimate love letter to growing up Filipino-American; written as a conversation with his sister and brought to life in a video that foregrounds heritage, family, and community. With “CLEANING OUT THE FRIDGE” (ft. Emily Rowed), Labit leans into radical honesty: “airing it out”, tearing down walls, and choosing to rebuild. With “PARALLEL”, he captures the a-ha clarity of finding love right beside you. The hazart-directed video reimagines an iconic “song-in-the-back-seat” moment inside a family Buick LeSabre, the same car that Grandma Sol drove him around in as a child, as another nostalgic nod to her influence.

The record’s palette moves from soft-focus nostalgia to full-colour uplift: late-night confessions that spill into sunrise (“FEBRUARY”), the anxious comedy of trying to keep up (“ALL MY PLANTS ARE DYING”), and the quiet strength of choosing the right person in a chaotic season (“BETTER”). Throughout, recurring motifs—cars, kitchens, seasons—tie the chapters together, while Labit’s upfront vocal and conversational writing keep the storytelling close.

‘SOL’ features the previously released singles alongside new standouts like title track “SOL”, a quiet dedication to the grandmother whose name, counsel, and compassion echo throughout the album.

Reflecting growing regional momentum, Labit’s singles leading up to his debut album have earned coveted placements on Spotify’s New Music Friday playlists across Asia—including the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. Asian markets dominate his Top 10 audience: #2 India, #3 Indonesia, #4 Philippines, #7 Thailand, #8 Taiwan, and #10 Malaysia and his Top 5 streaming cities are based in Southeast Asia. Since debuting in 2019, his ability to connect across borders and cultures is rooted in honest storytelling and a sonic versatility that transcends genre.

For Labit, ‘SOL’ captures that ongoing process of self-discovery—written as a personal journal while navigating the intricacies of adulthood, finding strength in vulnerability and grace in growth.

Stephen Ordoñez, aka Labit, is a genre-blurring, Los Angeles-based Filipino-American multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, producer, and artist. Known for his heartfelt lyricism, evocative melodies, and ability to make the deeply personal feel universal, Labit writes with unfiltered honesty and emotional depth, often drawing from the people and connections that have shaped his world. Through his music, he creates spaces where lived experiences and cultural memories intersect, inviting listeners into moments that feel both intimate and shared.

Since his first release in 2019, Labit’s catalog has grown in generous authenticity, blending melodies that feel like being wrapped in a warm blanket with infectious hooks that linger long after they’re heard. Whether soft and nostalgic or loud and spiralling, his songs speak to the messiness and beauty of being human.

Beyond his solo work, he’s a versatile songwriter, known for pairing distinctive melodies with strong vocals and guitar playing. Ordoñez has penned numerous tracks across pop, rock, and R&B, including credits with Emei, BYRNE, and more.

‘SOL’ Album Tracklisting:

1. STAY AWHILE
2. BREAK
3. PRETTY
4. ALL MY PLANTS ARE DYING
5. BET
6. LEADS (ME TO YOU)
7. WYL
8. FEBRUARY
9. ANYBODY’S GUESS
10. CLEANING OUT THE FRIDGE (FT. EMILY ROWED)
11. MANGOES AND RICE
12. WHO WE WERE
13. CODEPENDENT
14. PARALLEL
15. BETTER
16. CLICK
17. CLOUD
18. SOL

Stream ‘SOL’ here