Photo from PABLO's IG

TAMBOL (IBANG PLANETA)

Out of all the songs from PABLO's twin albums, Tambol is the most unique. From the mixture of tribal instrumental, chant-like sound introduction and the sci-fi/hero-movie feel of the song, he also used a different tone of his voice that we have never heard before. As someone with a very powerful and unique voice, Pablo could bend and change his tone to fit the need of the song, but the one he used in Tambol is definitely new. It was something that both shocked and pleased many of his listeners.

When you hear the name PABLO, the leader of SB19 and CEO of 1z Entertainment, the first thing you would remember is his emotional performances. Even when you listen to him with your eyes closed, his voice alone is enough to make feel emotions you thought you didn't have or had long buried. That is the PABLO-effect and many have felt that through the years.

Galing sa ibang planeta

Siya ay galing sa ibang planeta

Oh-oh, ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

The introduction of the song sounded like a chant, which could make listeners think that the artist was going for tribal song, but as soon as the Christian-choir sound it, the expectation would immediately change. Although, Pablo is also known to do the unexpected, so using this chant-like sound is a welcoming surprise. It set the mood and suspense for the listeners, especially for the new ones. To be completely honest, given Pablo's reputation as a popular PPOP artist, casual listeners would find it weird for him to such an introduction on a song. Well, that is only if the listener doesn't look for substance in a song.

Every day we've got something

We desire to just let go, baby

Ika'y galing sa ibang planeta

Ika'y galing sa

Changing from the chant to a choir sound adds up to the suspense and evokes curiosity as to where the song is going. The choir sound also gave the song a laid-back vibe that could easily make a listener smile and feel at ease. Tambol is very unique in its own way that if a person hadn't listen that much to Pablo's music, it is easy to mistake this song as someone else's song. It is also a good preparation for what is about to come.

Malakas na awra, anyong kakaiba

T'yak nagsimula na kumalabog

Mga tambol at ang kampana

'Di naging madali ang transpormasyon

Ilang beses na muntikan maikahon

Noon pa 'yon, ano ngayon

'Eto nalulong sa walang katapusang hampas ng mga alon

At nang mabaliw na sa musika

Binali ang batas ng Pisika

'Di na makuntento sa tipikal

Na parang galing sa ibang planeta (Woah)

As soon as the first verse hit, the voice that Pablo used was on a lower and deeper register than what he normally uses, while still maintaining the natural rasp. It sounded so sexily good that anyone who doesn't know him by face would imagine he looks different than he actually is. Personally, I like the overall sound and feel of this song. It is new to my ear, yet it is not cringe or over the top. The way Pablo wrote this verse is like telling his story. How he started and developed as an artist, and how he turned into who he is now. From the moment they debuted, each of them had a unique vibe, an aura in them that immediately lured many fans into the fold.

But Pablo, despite being an introvert naturally shines on his own. His smile can inspire people and his eyes can dredge up emotions you've long forgotten even existed. The verse one of Tambol is a perfect representation of who he was and who he is now. His journey from the beginning was never easy. Fans who had been used to foreign idols expected him and his brothers to be the typical, manufactured artists, but he never wanted that—none of them did. He and his brothers defied all odds and proved that they are beyond anyone's control. They were something the country, and perhaps the world has never seen before. Some may call them rogue because they don't comply to any expectations, nor do they submit to the standards of others.

Wala ka bang naririnig, 'tol?

Ayan na't dumadagundong na ang tambol

Kasunod na ang yumayanig na lindol

Ang pagsibol ng nag-iisang tagapagtanggol

The chorus gives a vibe of Pablo's confidence about himself. It made me feel that he finally embraced the role given to him by the fans and that is being the Alpha of PPOP, a title that is rightfully his. The songs he wrote for the group was the biggest factor why PPOP is thriving today. By creating those beautiful songs, fans are now more open to supporting local groups and are tirelessly promoting the entire PPOP industry both locally and abroad.

Bawat bara tagos sa beat

'Yung mapapaisip ka, puso na pala na-hit

Kadalasan ang katotohanan medyo masakit

'Yung tipong mapapatanong ka na lang ng bakit

Hindi pepwedeng tenga'y sarado sa 'di mo gusto

Gamot ang totoo sa delusyonal mo nang mundo (Mundo)

Kung 'di niyo kaya, sinong gagawa?

'Wag na mahiya, taga-ibang planeta

In the second verse, Pablo expressed his confidence once again by praising his bars and verses, which he absolutely earned. In every song that Pablo created, bars are almost always present, and they are always brilliantly written. Sometimes, he writes subtle bars, lines that only the trained mind would notice. Many A'tin even admitted that they started as either people who simple don't care or haters for SB19 being KPOP wannabes, but the group's music hit their hearts right in the spot. If there's one thing that SB19 does best than others, it's bending or even breaking stereotypes.

The line gamot ang totoo sa delusyonal mo nang mundo could mean that by him continuously breaking prejudiced perceptions, he is curing heavily ingrained delusions (beliefs) of people. It takes work and time, but is nonetheless true. The more we break away what we were used to, the more we learn new things that can help us grow as people. From the start, Pablo had always the kind of artist who inspires people to embrace their uniqueness and to never be afraid of being different. He is truly an inspiration and a great role model.