There’s a certain kind of album that arrives at exactly the right time. Not because it chases trends or dominates playlists overnight, but because it captures emotions people quietly carry long after the excitement fades. That’s the space Filipino city pop collective ALYSON steps into with AFTER OURS, their much-anticipated sophomore album arriving on May 22, 2026.
Released via Offshore Music, the eight-track project expands on the warmth and nostalgia that made their debut record, Definitely Love!, resonate with listeners. But this time around, the band leans into deeper emotional territory, offering a more refined, introspective, and musically ambitious body of work.
For fans of modern OPM, Japanese city pop, Manila Sound, and groove-heavy soul records, AFTER OURS feels less like a casual listen and more like an experience meant to unfold from beginning to end.
ALYSON’s AFTER OURS Marks a More Mature Era
If Definitely Love! captured the dizzy excitement of romance at its peak, AFTER OURS focuses on what happens once reality settles in.
Themes of longing, temptation, emotional uncertainty, and personal reckoning flow throughout the album. The record explores the quieter moments that follow the thrill: late-night thoughts, unresolved feelings, and the complicated spaces between connection and distance.
Lyricist and vocalist Pio Ligot explained that the album title itself reflects that emotional shift.
According to Ligot, AFTER OURS represents the moments “after hours,” when distractions disappear and people are left alone with their thoughts. He added that the album reflects a more realistic understanding of love compared to the idealism explored in their earlier work.
That sense of emotional honesty gives the project its strongest moments. Rather than relying on polished romantic clichés, the band allows vulnerability and uncertainty to take center stage.
A Love Letter to City Pop and Classic OPM
Musically, AFTER OURS pulls from a rich mix of influences without sounding trapped in nostalgia.
The album draws inspiration from Japanese city pop, jazz, Brazilian funk, Motown, Philly soul, ‘70s-inspired OPM, and the unmistakable groove of Manila Sound. Instead of simply recreating retro sounds, ALYSON blends these styles into something cinematic yet accessible for today’s listeners.
Producer and drummer Marcus Mababangloob shared that the band approached the record as a reflection of their growth over the past few years.
He described the debut album as energetic and unfiltered, while AFTER OURS feels more intentional and fully realized. That maturity becomes immediately noticeable in the album’s polished arrangements and carefully paced sequencing.
Rather than building the album around viral-ready singles, the band structured the project as a cohesive emotional journey. Songs transition naturally into one another, allowing the record to feel immersive from start to finish.
Why AFTER OURS Sounds More Organic Than Most Modern Records
One of the most interesting aspects of the album is how it was recorded.
In an era dominated by heavily edited digital production, ALYSON embraced a more traditional recording process. The group reportedly spent nearly a year writing and rehearsing the material before entering the studio. Several tracks were recorded live or with large ensemble sections, minimizing overdubs to preserve the natural rhythm and imperfections of performance.
That old-school approach gives the album warmth and texture that many modern releases often lack.
Marcus explained that the band intentionally avoided relying too heavily on metronomic precision because they wanted the music to “ebb and flow” naturally with the emotions of each song. For ALYSON, live recording wasn’t a compromise but a deliberate artistic choice inspired by the classic records they admire.
The result is an album that feels alive, expressive, and deeply human.
Standout Tracks Bring Emotion and Energy Together
AFTER OURS also showcases some of ALYSON’s boldest songwriting so far.
Tracks like “Ikaw Lagi,” “Landi,” “Bighani,” and “Kung Sakaling Tanawin” highlight the band’s willingness to experiment rhythmically while staying emotionally grounded. Each song carries its own distinct atmosphere, balancing lush instrumentation with relatable storytelling.
Meanwhile, “Talaga” stands out as one of the album’s most intriguing collaborations. Featuring Filipino artist Paprikka, the track channels the dramatic energy of vintage anime romances through a classic city pop duet setup.
The album’s sonic depth is further elevated through the work of orchestral arranger and trumpeter David Jorvina, whose horn and string arrangements add richness and emotional scale throughout the record.
Adding another layer of authenticity, AFTER OURS was mastered in Tokyo by acclaimed engineer Eiji Hirano, known for working with Japanese acts such as Ryusenkei. That collaboration gives the project an even stronger connection to the city pop lineage that helped shape its sound.
AFTER OURS Could Be a Defining Album for Modern OPM
Over the last few years, Filipino artists have continued pushing OPM into exciting new territory, blending global influences with deeply local storytelling. ALYSON feels like part of that growing movement, but with a musicality and artistic confidence that sets them apart.
AFTER OURS doesn’t try to overwhelm listeners with spectacle. Instead, it slowly pulls them into its world through sincerity, groove, and emotional detail.
For longtime fans, the album signals a band becoming more fearless creatively. For new listeners, it offers one of the strongest entry points into the evolving landscape of modern Filipino city pop.
As the local music scene continues to expand globally, AFTER OURS arrives as the kind of record that deserves to linger long after the final track fades.
AFTER OURS Tracklist
- IKAW LAGI
- LANDI
- BIGHANI
- KUNG SAKALING TANAWIN
- TALAGA
- GOODBYE, SUMMER
- 24/7 LOVE & CARE
- DI MAKAPANIWALA
ALYSON’s AFTER OURS drops worldwide on digital streaming platforms on May 22, 2026 via Offshore Music.
