Cup of Joe Explores the 5 Stages of Grief with First-Ever Album, Silakbo

P-Pop

Cup of Joe delivers their own experiences and reflections on their debut album, Silakbo, which features ten tracks.

After the success of their numerous singles, Cup of Joe, a Filipino alternative pop sensation, has finally released their debut album, Silakbo. This album, deviating from their earlier Patutunguhan EP in terms of sound, is already garnering attention as a musical masterpiece that is guaranteed to evoke strong emotions and tug at the heartstrings.

cup of joe silakbo album

Also Read: Cup of Joe Drops its 2nd Major Concert “Silakbo”

This emotionally powerful album explores the five phases of grief openly—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The band, which is renowned for its moving lyrics, explores new musical and thematic realms to create a compilation that has a deep emotional impact.

Rapha, one of the vocalists, stated, “We poured our hearts and souls into Silakbo, and it’s a reflection of not just the emotions we’ve been through but also those of our listeners.” Gian, the other vocalist, expressed, “Connecting with our fans through this album and these concerts feel like a fulfilling dream.”

Moreover, its songs span a range of emotions, from denial to acceptance. And produced in the distinctive Cup of Joe sound, the band’s conceptual approach to Silakbo has already received early praise. Songs like “Multo” give listeners a taste of the album’s lush, sorrowful, yet hopeful atmosphere—a real sonic journey for everyone.

Cup of Joe SILAKBO Tracklist

  1. Bagyo
  2. Wine
  3. Kanelang Mata
  4. Bubog
  5. Siping
  6. Pahina
  7. Multo
  8. ‘Di Maari
  9. Hinga
  10. Silakbo

Also Read: Embracing Three Years of Success: Alamat Celebrates Anniversary with Sold Out Shows

Silakbo explores the 5 stages of grief

Denial

The songs “Bagyo” and “Wine” symbolize the initial phase of grief, characterized by an inability to accept the current situation. Both songs have distinctive sounds; in fact, “Bagyo” was written during a storm, which is where the title originated, and “Wine” is among the most unusual pieces of music ever created because its chorus is in English. This song serves as an excellent introduction to the album.

Anger

Kanelang Mata” and “Bubog” are two of the most heartbreaking songs in the album, which tackles anger. Upon closer inspection, these songs seem sadder than they might otherwise be. According to Gian, the kind of anger shown in this album is “self-anger,” which is the worst type of anger one may feel. It encapsulates exactly how it feels to be scared to face those jagged pieces of yourself.

cup of joe silakbo

Bargaining

The songs under this stage of grief are those in which we face the truth of our countless fears about the possible outcome. Both “Siping” and “Pahina” have a slow melody with a hint of anguish in understanding the lyrics, which wonderfully convey the sense of wondering about the “What ifs” that could happen in our lives. The song expresses the willingness to stay with someone for as long as you can, even if it’s the last time.

Depression

Multo” is a pre-released track that came out on September 13 last year. Meanwhile, “‘Di Maari” is the album’s oldest song. These songs serve as a bridge to acceptance when you learn to fully understand all that happened—the pain and the scars from what actually happened. 

silakbo cup of joe

Acceptance

In the midst of the night, “Hinga” and “Silakbo” will give you a sense of relief. It’s about letting yourself accept the way things are. Plus, according to Gian, the term “Silakbo” refers to an emotional bursting that must be felt, and these songs highlight personal development over the idea of moving on. The upbeat tones of each of them contribute to the songs’ addictive qualities.

cup of joe silakbo

These tracks may be more painful than those from Cup of Joe’s previous releases. But do you know what makes this album even more exceptional? Beyond the music itself, it’s about the shared experience of being beautifully, tragically human.

You Might Also Like: 10 Feel-Good K-Dramas to Lift Your Spirits on a Bad Day

Cup of Joe Upcoming Events

  • Two-Day SOLD OUT Concert—February 8 and 9, 2025 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
  • Baguio—March 6 and 7, 2025 at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center.
  • Davao—March 22, 2025 at the SMX Convention Center, Davao City.
  • Cebu—March 29, 2025 at the IC3 Convention Center, Cebu City.

Meanwhile, OPM is definitely on the rise; Cup of Joe Silakbo is the first OPM album to debut at the top of the Apple Music PH albums chart since SB19 Pagtatag EP in 2023. Also, every single song from the album is now in the top 100 of the Genius Lyrics chart.

Also Read: #6thJOEnniversary: Cup of Joe Celebrates 6th Anniversary with Joewahs at Viva Cafe Show


Source: Cup of Joe Official Accounts, Viva Records

Photos: Charie Navarro

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