Halaga (Unplugged) draws from a sprawling, diverse roster of pop subgenres that root the work in the rich, vibrant creative landscape of the Philippines, a country with a long history of pop artists weaving global influences into work that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. The sound incorporates elements of electronic, folk, indie pop, Latin, orchestral pop, R&B, reggae, rock, and world music, a range of influences that mirrors the artistic ethos of its maker, an alternative and city pop singer-songwriter who builds his discography around easy, melodic tunes that carry layers of heartbreaking, painful emotion beneath their warm, approachable surfaces. That balance of accessible melody and raw, unflinching vulnerability has allowed the artist to connect with audiences far beyond his home country’s borders, a trajectory that reached new heights following the breakout success of his biggest 2023 track, “Saan?