1621 hits the heart with energetic 'Sapulso' EP launch

The vibrant energy at Holic Club was undeniable as rising P-pop sensation 1621 officially dropped their highly anticipated second EP, "Sapulso."

The six-member powerhouse — Pan, Win, Migz, DJ, JM, and JC — celebrated this milestone with their nearest and dearest, including family, industry friends, and their devoted fanbase, the "Guardians."

The launch event was a thrilling showcase of 1621's growth and artistry. They treated the enthusiastic crowd to electrifying performances of tracks from Sapulso, including the captivating "Stuck," the evocative "Maria," the worldly "Bagamundo," and the infectious "Bababa."

These songs, alongside the previously released "Diwata" and "Secret," make up the sophomore EP, which delves into the intricate "complexities of love."

Sapulso sees 1621 confidently embracing their unique musical identity, blending upbeat rhythms with deeply felt lyrics. During a pre-launch media conference, member DJ shed light on the EP's evocative title.

"Simple lang po ito kasi lahat ng songs sa EP namin, sapul at namin," he explained. "So kapag in love ka, kapag may crush ka ganon sapul sa puso, kaya Sapulso."

("It's simple because all the songs in our EP hit us right here. So when you're in love, when you have a crush, it hits you right in the heart, that's why Sapulso.")

Reflecting on their journey since their debut EP, 1621BC, the members acknowledged a significant leap in confidence and the solidification of their distinct sound.

"Siguro from the first [EP], at that point parang hinahanap pa namin ‘yung sound namin. So, we tried different styles, different genres," Pan shared. "So, maybe ‘yung advantage namin sa second EP namin is nahanap na namin ‘yung sound namin. Parang this is us as 1621. 'Pag may song kami, parang ‘ah ito sila.’ Nahanap na namin yung identity namin, parang nahanap namin ‘yung song namin."

("Maybe from the first [EP], at that point it felt like we were still searching for our sound. So, we tried different styles, different genres. So, maybe our advantage with our second EP is that we've found our sound. It's like, this is us as 1621. When we have a song, it's like, 'ah, this is them.' We've found our identity, it's like we've found our song.")

JM further elaborated on their creative exploration for Sapulso.

"With this second EP, nag-explore po talaga kami ng different genres. We did try ‘yung mga ‘Bagamundo,’ ‘yung mga dark concepts, and then we did bubblegum pop songs. So actually, dito po talaga namin na-receive ‘yung reaction ng mga supporters from social media platforms na ‘bagay sa kanila mga ganitong songs, ito ‘yung song na nagsu-suit talaga sa kanila. So doon po namin na-realize na ‘ah oo nga naman, ‘yun talaga ‘yung song namin kasi pag-pinerform po namin para mas confident, comfortable kami."

("With this second EP, we really explored different genres. We did try the 'Bagamundo,' the dark concepts, and then we did bubblegum pop songs. So actually, it was here that we received the reaction from our supporters on social media platforms that these kinds of songs suit them, this is the song that really suits them. So that's where we realized, 'ah yes, that really is our song' because when we perform it, we feel more confident and comfortable.")

The immediate success of Sapulso is evident in its rapid climb on streaming platforms. Within a mere 24 hours of its release, the EP impressively surpassed 100,000 streams on Spotify. Their record label, ABS-CBN's Star Pop, was quick to express their gratitude to the "Guardians" for their unwavering support, sharing their excitement in an appreciative Instagram post.

This significant milestone was also celebrated during the EP launch, much to the delight of the attending fans.

1621 first burst onto the P-pop scene in 2023 with their debut single "Laruan." The following year saw the release of their self-titled EP, which explored the "different stages of young love."

The group's formation followed their participation in the survival reality show "Dream Maker," solidifying their place as a promising force in the ever-evolving P-pop landscape. With the release of "Sapulso," 1621 is undoubtedly ready to capture even more hearts and further solidify their position in the industry.