SB19: Get to know the P-pop kings through their solo songs

If you’re curious about SB19 or you’re a Baby A’TIN just beginning to go through their discography, chances are you haven’t checked out their solo songs.

With only a few days until their Simula at Wakas tour kickoff this weekend, spice up your playlist with these songs from Stell, Pablo, Josh, Justin, and Ken.

You’re sure to get to know them better as artists, and who knows, they might even perform some of these tracks with solo stages at the Philippine Arena!

Stell

Stell is the man behind most of the high notes in SB19’s songs. His insane range and vocal stability is one of the best, if not the best, in the P-pop industry right now.

He is the last SB19 member to launch a solo career, but he made sure his EP, titled “Room,” was worth the wait when he released it last year.

Anino

In “Anino,” a song produced by Radkidz (composed of Pablo and his brother Josue), Stell tests the limits of his vocal range. The song is a stirring ballad about selfless love, the kind that promises to give everything and endure everything.

Stell expresses the vulnerability demanded by the lyrics through his soft falsettos and a delivery that adds rough emotional edges, instead of his usual clean belting. “Anino” is a song that makes one cry, especially if heard live.

Room

Aside from his heavenly voice, Stell is also a standout dancer who packs intensity with his whole body. He showcases his superb body control with isolations, fluid movements, and impeccable balance.

His debut single “Room” is actually a seductive dance anthem also composed by Pablo and Josue. Stell owns the sensual choreography with aplomb, not just with his body but with his facial expressions and eye contact.

Pablo

Pablo is the creative mind behind most of SB19’s songs, and that becomes even more evident when you listen to his own work. Last year, he released a double album titled “Alon” and “Laon,” a further testament to his love of word plays.

“Alon” and “Laon” are anagrams that perfectly capture the image of surviving a storm at sea. Violent waves (alon) may rock your ship, but eventually (kinalaunan), the storm shall pass.

Micha

“Laon” is a triumphant no-skip record, each track packed with an addicting beat and clever lyrics that are truly “tatak Pablo.” But the final song, “Micha,” ups the ante as the hype song of everyone taking a leap of faith to reach for their dreams.

The fast-paced track showcases Pablo’s skills as an all-rounder: a rapidfire rapper and skilled singer capable of reaching high notes and harmonizing with his unique raspy voice. The beat and the chorale flourishes give the song a “boss battle” vibe, which perfectly suits Pablo’s identity as “Pinuno” – SB19’s leader and one of the visionaries steering P-pop to new heights.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf

Pablo graduated with an English degree from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and he put that educational background to good use in the song “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” If that title sounds familiar, that’s because it’s also the name of Aesop’s popular fable about a boy who kept lying about seeing a wolf when guarding his flock of sheep.

But Pablo turns that reference on its head, taking the perspective of the wolf instead of the boy. In the song, he laments about the fact that wolves are seen as “bad” and ironically feels like a “sacrificial lamb” because of it. He portrays the wolf’s howl not as a sign of danger, but transforms it as a cry for help. It’s an inspired reimagination from a gifted storyteller and a genius wordsmith.

Josh

Josh is SB19’s lead rapper, but he has shown a remarkable growth in his vocal abilities since their debut as a group. In his debut album, “Lost & Found,” he did nothing but sing his heart out with songs he pulled straight from his soul.

His voice quality is akin to that of ‘90s band vocalists—not as ranged as balladeers, perhaps, but just as emotionally expressive. He can get vulnerable and strong in equal measure, showcasing his adaptability as a performer.

1999

In “1999,” his TikTok-famous track thanks to its catchy chorus and choreography, Josh confronts his childhood trauma of experiencing domestic violence. It’s a deceptively upbeat song where he sings about enduring pain and his inability to heal from it.

Josh bravely faces his own demons in the music video and uses his traumatic experience to fuel his passion for music. The song itself has a version with explicit language, which lands the gut punch even harder.

Wild Tonight

Of course, Josh has the ability to drop bars after bars as one of SB19’s rappers. In “Wild Tonight,” his debut single as a solo artist, he shows his strong pen game with creative word plays and clever rhymes.

The pre-chorus has a catchy rhythm leading up to the party riffs in the actual chorus, making you want to dance and move your body. The music video is also proof of Josh’s abilities as a creative director, using vampire and goth themes that worked well with the modern bar dance floor and beam lights.

Justin

Justin is known as SB19’s main visual, with his face card never failing to impress audiences. But he is more than just a pretty face — he is also a talented visual artist who is the brains behind many of SB19’s creative concepts.

His voice is also just as angelic as his face—full of sincerity and without any kind of pretense. He often harmonizes with his brothers in SB19 songs, but he is capable of cutting through the layers when it’s his time to shine with his clear, simple vocals.

Surreal

In his debut single, “Surreal,” Justin sings about an imagined world that feels so real. (If the word play hasn’t clued you in, the song is produced by Radkidz.) In this track, Justin is later joined by a female voice in the bridge and the last chorus — and it’s none other than Gelou from P-pop group YARA! Their duet is easily the best part of the song, giving off some shades of “High School Musical” tracks.

The music video is a feast for the eyes, putting Justin in nature settings that will make you crave forest-bathing. Whether it’s spring, summer, autumn, or winter, Justin expertly captures the mood of the season with his keen eye for imagery.

Kaibigan

In “Kaibigan,” Justin flexes his abilities as a filmmaker in the almost eight minutes-long music video. He creates a storyline for the mapanakit track — three friends go on a trip, and one of them finds out that the other two have a romantic thing going on. But he secretly harbors feelings for the girl as well, leaving him broken-hearted.

The song and the music video both begin with a light, hopeful tone, but towards the end, things change. The frolicking of three friends turn into one becoming a third wheel. The soft vocals turn into raw screams of pain, accompanied by Justin’s convincing acting as someone who loved and got hurt in return.

Ken (Felip)

Ken is the first SB19 member to launch a solo career. He uses the name Felip (from his real name Felip Jhon Suson) for his solo releases. As a solo artist, Felip proudly promotes his Bisaya heritage.

In his “Complex” EP and “7sins” album, Felip went experimental, trying out different genres and exploring his artistry beyond P-pop. But in all his records, his unique deep voice remains his trademark, just served in various flavors.

Palayo

“Palayo” is Felip’s debut single. In this 2021 song, he introduces himself as a Bisdak artist, singing entirely in Bisaya, with just a few sprinkles of English lines.

This R&B track about breaking up with someone brings out Felip’s sensuality with its seductive riffs and the sultry choreography showcases his skills as SB19’s main dancer.

Fake Faces

Felip is a huge fan of rock music, particularly Japanese rock. That interest shines in his 2024 single “Fake Faces,” where he sings about distrusting the fake people around him.

In the song, Felip affects a husky tone and sings in a higher register compared to his usual deep baritone voice. His attitude in the music video screams very much “rockstar,” even grabbing an electric guitar at one point and boy, it suits him perfectly!