SB19’s Evolution Through ‘Wakas at Simula’
In their sophomore album ‘Wakas at Simula’, SB19 showcases evolution through “respect and progression”
Words Mariel Ann Breanna Puli
Photos courtesy of Sony Music
April 22, 2026
SB19 has officially released their sophomore album ‘Wakas at Simula’—a 24-track project that closed their formative era while signaling the beginning of a new “imperial phase.”
Rather than feeling like a big reset, the album moves swiftly like a continuation shaped by years of self-discovery, identity building, and the gradual cultivation of public trust through their years of quests and learning.
As the group shares, “At the same time, this marks a new beginning. We hope to express ourselves more openly, explore deeper and more relatable themes, and move forward with clarity, care, and creative freedom, ready to face new challenges together.”
With Greater Depth
A major part of the album revisits key songs from their EP trilogy—Pagsibol, Pagtatag, and Simula at Wakas—now reworked and placed alongside six new tracks. These are not simple remakes. They are reinterpretations shaped by time, experience, and growth.
Pablo, SB19’s leader and chief producer, explains, “We did not want to simply remake them; we aimed to reintroduce them with greater depth. We explored more mature arrangements, stronger dynamics, and a careful balance of raw emotion and refinement. Sonically, I focused on warmth, atmosphere, and storytelling, ensuring that every choice reflected who we are today. This approach allowed the music to honor its origins while also showcasing our growth as artists.”
This approach allows their music to stay rooted in its origins while sounding more self-aware and ultimately refined.
Evolution Built On “Respect and Progression”
The album’s structure is shaped by balance between recollecting and moving forward, familiarity and change.
“For us, it was about respect and progression,” Pablo says. “We wanted the songs people already love to retain their emotional core, while the newer tracks pushed the album forward. Nostalgia gave the project its roots, and the new songs gave it momentum. The goal was to make the album feel familiar while still showing growth and evolution.”
And this balance becomes the album’s identity: nothing is erased, but everything is understood deeper, with much consciousness and understanding.
‘Emoji’ and the Modern Language of Emotion
One of the standout tracks, ‘Emoji’, features Jolin Tsai and leans into a vibrant mix of Brazilian funk and club-driven energy. Co-produced by SB19’s Ken and PLAYERTWO’s Luke April, the track explores how people express themselves through emojis while hiding what they truly feel.
Ken shares, “I thought this was a fresh and exciting sound for us, so I created a Brazilian phonk inspired track with the help of my friend Luke.”
Written by Ken, Pablo, Jolin, and Luke, the song highlights the contrast between online personas and real emotions—how technology shapes expression in subtle but powerful ways.
The music video for ‘Emoji’ expands this idea visually through contrasting spaces set in an underground dungeon: “one glamorous and polished” and “the other messy and chaotic.”
SB19’s Justin elaborates that this represents “the contrast between the idealized image people present online and the reality they often hide behind emojis.”
This concept reinforces the track’s central idea that one’s identity is often split between what the person shows and what is actually felt.
Pushing Forward
Beyond ‘Emoji’, the album features a collaboration with Japanese group BE: FIRST on ‘Toyfriend’, along with new tracks like the R&B-influences ‘Memories’, the experimental ‘Everblack’, and the emotional ballad ‘Wakas’, which highlights their vocal strength.
Ahead of its release, the album’s tracklist was streamed on Weverse during a March 23, 2026 press conference, drawing over 300,000 views and 30 million likes within 24 hours—underscoring their strong global fandom presence.
The group is also set to perform at major international festivals: Lollapalooza in Chicago (July 20-August 2, 2026) and Summer Sonic in Tokyo (August 15, 2026).
‘Wakas at Simula’
At its core, ‘Wakas at Simula’ is not about replacing who SB19 once was—but it’s about refining it. Their old songs are revisited with deeper emotion, while new songs push the story forward. Together, the members continue their journey into a new beginning—embracing genre fluidity and maximalism, where growth does not break identity but strengthens it.
Through this album, the group shows that evolution is not about leaving something behind. It is about finally understanding it with all its depth and reasons, and carrying it with you as you transition to a newer version—not to merely change, but to change for the better.
