the vowels they orbit speaks the language of longing in new EP, ‘gusto ko lang maalala’

Filipino indie pop outfit the vowels they orbit (tvto) return with their third EP, gusto ko lang maalala—a delicate and nuanced exploration of love and loss, nostalgia, and remembering.

Following their sophomore release, tuloy tuloy tuloy!, which chronicled moments and survival amid the pandemic years, gusto ko lang maalala embraces reflection. It leans to the bittersweet nature of remembering: the realization that as time moves forward, what we once held dear and near can only be revised in fragments.

Led by the haunting single “miss na kita,” the EP encapsulates the quiet pain of longing, be it for a person, a place, or even a former version of oneself. As lead vocalist Nikka Melchor explains it, “I wrote ‘miss na kita’ one morning because I wanted to express that sudden feeling of missing your younger self. But it’s not limited to that narrative. The meaning differs per person, from loss of self to loss of a loved one.”

Guitarist Gene Santiago adds, “It’s about longing: for someone, something, a moment in time, or a dream. It’s like wanting to stop time just to breathe for a while or turn it back to experience those things again.”

True to its theme, gusto ko lang maalala carries a sound that is both ethereal and emotionally grounded. The musical arrangements perfectly mirror the intimacy of the narrative, resulting in an experience that feels like flipping through the pages of a photo album.

“When we started coming up with our individual parts, one of the things I asked my bandmates to do was to really listen to the emotions of the lyrics,” Nikka shares. “That was one of our conscious efforts for this EP. Even small details like the basslines in ‘miss na kita’ dancing along to the sadness on the second verse, or the guitar work in ‘para bago’ sounding like a flashback, these things are vital and part of the emotional cues.”

The EP was produced by Soupstar Music’s Darwin Hernandez, with arrangements from Filipino rock icons Raymund Marasigan and Buddy Zabala of Eraserheads, and additional production support from Eunice Jorge of Gracenote. Recording took place at Velvet Playground Studio in Marikina, marking tvto’s first time in the space.

“Working with Raymund and Buddy was surreal,” the band recalls. “We were nervous at first, but they made the process chill and collaborative. It was amazing how even small changes transformed the song completely. We learned so much in just one session.”

The new EP features three original tracks and one special rendition of a classic hit, each one tracing a different shade of longing. From the introspective songwriting of “miss na kita” to the upbeat yet wistful energy of “basta” and “para bago,” every track carries its own sonic blueprint.

the vowels they orbit is a five-piece indie pop-rock band based in Metro Manila. Known for their melodic pop sensibilities and affecting songwriting, their music captures the everyday poetry of modern Filipino youth. The Filipino band is composed of Nikka Melchor on vocals and guitars, Hannah Dela Cruz on keyboards and vocals, Gene Santiago on guitars, and Patch Javier on bass.

the vowels they orbit’s gusto ko lang maalala is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.