P-Pop trailblazers SB19 has officially dropped Wakas at Simula—a 24-track release that serves as a closure of their formative era in music and the beginning of a new imperial phase. Their second full-length album chronicles their path to self-discovery, identity building, and the cultivation of public trust, all fortified through years of experience and learning.
“At the same time, this marks a new beginning,” SB19 adds. “We hope to express ourselves more openly, explore deeper and more relatable themes, and move forward with clarity, care, and creative freedom, ready to face new challenges together.”
Wakas at Simula stands as a cohesive anthology, weaving together key selections from the group’s trilogy of acclaimed EPs (Pagsibol, Pagtatag, and Simula at Wakas), alongside six new tracks that showcase a reinvigorated approach in production and songwriting. The result is a future-forward pop record that embraces genre fluidity and maximalism, made more compelling by SB19’s unmistakable energy and charisma.
Pablo, SB19’s leader and chief producer, emphasizes the intention behind the album’s sonic direction, putting into consideration the history behind these songs. “We did not want to simply remake them; we aimed to reintroduce them with greater depth. We explored more mature arrangements, stronger dynamics, and a careful balance of raw emotion and refinement. Sonically, I focused on warmth, atmosphere, and storytelling, ensuring that every choice reflected who we are today. This approach allowed the music to honor its origins while also showcasing our growth as artists.”
SB19’s sophomore album also features international collaborations with some of the pop greats this side of the hemisphere. Queen of C-Pop JOLIN is prominently featured in “Emoji,” a euphoric club anthem with a little bit of Brazilian funk thrown in the mix.
SB19’s Ken, who co-produced the track with PLAYERTWO’s Luke April, offered an insight into its creation. “I thought this was a fresh and exciting sound for us, so I created a Brazilian phonk inspired track with the help of my friend Luke. Pablo, JOLIN, and I wrote the lyrics together. The song explores social media and how people often mask their true emotions behind emojis. It reflects on the contrast between online personas and genuine feelings, highlighting the subtle ways technology shapes human expression.”
The release of “Emoji’ will be accompanied by a music video set in what looks like two versions of an underground dungeon. SB19’s Justin explains, “The direction for the music video was to keep it simple and accessible while maintaining high quality and showcasing an impressive performance. Our creative director carefully ensured that the set designs and overall concept subtly reinforced the song’s message. The video features two distinct layouts: one glamorous and polished, the other messy and chaotic, representing the contrast between the idealized image people present online and the reality they often hide behind emojis.”
Another highlight of the album is a collaboration with Japanese pop group BE:FIRST, who joined SB19 on the floor-thumping jam “Toyfriend.” Other new songs in the album include the catchy R&B tune “Memories,” the sonically daring but refreshing “Everblack,” and the emotional ballad “Wakas,” which showcases SB19’s extraordinary vocal abilities and heartfelt delivery.
The award-winning P-Pop boyband also reworked the songs from their 2021 EP, Pagsibol, incorporating new arrangements with layers of nuance and artistic growth. With more experience and perspective, SB19 admits that the new versions offer a more refined direction, with emotions naturally running deeper and the lyrics carrying greater meaning.
“For us, it was about respect and progression,” Pablo explains. “We wanted the songs people already love to retain their emotional core, while the newer tracks pushed the album forward. Nostalgia gave the project its roots, and the new songs gave it momentum. The goal was to make the album feel familiar while still showing growth and evolution.”
Ahead of the release, SB19 revealed the official track list for Wakas at Simula during a press conference on March 23, 2026, which was simultaneously streamed live on Weverse. The video has amassed more than 300,000 views and 30 million likes within 24 hours, cementing their popularity on the global fandom platform.
The P-Pop powerhouse is also scheduled to perform in two of most prominent music festivals in the world: Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois, which will run from July 30 to August 2, 2026, and the recently announced Summer Sonic in Tokyo, Japan, happening on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
SB19’s “Wakas at Simula” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch out for the music video release of “Emoji” (Feat. JOLIN) today at 7:00 PM via SB19’s official YouTube page.
