SB19 launches sophomore album ‘Wakas at Simula’

P-Pop powerhouse SB19 has officially revealed details about their upcoming sophomore album, Wakas at Simula, a project that represents both the closing of one creative phase and the beginning of another for the group.

The highly anticipated full-length release arrives after the worldwide success of their Simula at Wakas World Tour and ahead of their scheduled appearance at this year’s Lollapalooza Festival. With these milestones, the new album further highlights SB19’s growing presence as P-Pop continues gaining momentum on the global music scene.

Alongside announcing the album, the trailblazing Filipino act also unveiled its official track list. The project features notable international collaborations, including a team-up with Queen of C-Pop JOLIN and Japanese boy band BE:FIRST, signaling the group’s continued push to connect with audiences beyond the Philippines.

Wakas at Simula is positioned as a defining release for SB19, bridging past achievements with the start of a new chapter in their evolving musical journey.

“Wakas at Simula closes the chapter of proving ourselves,” SB19 explains in a press statement. “In the beginning, we were focused on finding our place, building our identity, and earning people’s trust. This album honors that journey while guiding us into a more grounded and intentional version of SB19.”

SB19 shares that with this album, they’re learning to take bolder steps without overthinking what moves the world. “Our writing and performances reflect what feels true to us, drawn from experiences that helped us grow. At the same time, this marks a new beginning. We’re exploring deeper and more relatable themes and moving forward with clarity, care, and creative freedom, ready to face new challenges together.”

Conceptually anchored in duality and transformation, Wakas at Simula unites the group’s trilogy of acclaimed EPs (Pagsibol, Pagtatag, and Simula at Wakas) while introducing six new tracks that push the bounds of P-Pop music with newfound confidence and sonic adventurousness. Notably, the album features collaborations with Queen of C-Pop JOLIN on the Mandarin-speaking track “Emoji” and Japanese group BE:FIRST on the dance-pop track “Toyfriend,” showcasing a deliberate expansion for cross-cultural appeal.

SB19’s Stell considers the collaboration with international artists a valuable learning experience for both the acclaimed P-Pop quintet and 1Z, giving them insights into how established labels from outside the country operate in scale and strategy. “Since SB19 built its own system from the ground up—one that is pro-artist and pro-team—these collaborations helped us see how we can refine and evolve that approach. The impact goes beyond music, as it opens opportunities for 1Z to grow and adapt to global practices. At the end of the day, it highlights how a young team can build meaningful connections and continue learning while expanding on a global stage.”

Other new songs in the album traverse a wide sonic spectrum—from the understated elegance of R&B track “Memories” to the experimental, industrial textures of “Everblack.” The P-Pop royalty’s combined influences take the record to exciting new places in terms of production and songwriting.

Complementing the new tracks are reworked versions from the P-Pop powerhouse’s 2021 EP, Pagsibol. The re-recorded songs embody SB19’s artistic and emotional growth, where the delivery has become more intentional and personal, shaped by their lived experiences.

“When we first recorded them, we were coming from a place of hunger and hope, performing based on how we initially understood and absorbed the lyrics,” SB19 admits. “Now, with more experience and perspective, the emotions naturally run deeper, and the lyrics carry greater meaning. It was not about changing the songs completely but allowing them to grow with us.”

The release of their sophomore album will culminate in a major live event, the Wakas at Simula Concert, happening on April 18, 2026, at the SMDC Festival Grounds. It will serve as the finale to their Simula at Wakas tour, which supported the release of their three-part EP (Pagsibol, Pagtatag, and Simula at Wakas). While the group will not be holding a world tour this time around, they will be playing shows across North America, Europe, and the Middle East in the latter half of the year, including major international festivals such as Lollapalooza in Chicago, USA, and more to be announced.