PARADISE RISING’s semilucent 2 elevates Filipino artists in the West

PARADISE RISING’s Semiluscent 2 elevates Filipino artists in the West
Photo: PARADISE RISING

Since launching in July 2020, PARADISE RISING has more than lived up to expectations by expanding Filipino artists to the West and around the world through music distribution, music rights management, and artist development.

Through its debut release semilucent, a compilation EP that transcended genres and showcased an impressive array of emerging Philippine artists, PARADISE RISING took the Philippine music world by storm.

Now, PARADISE RISING is back with a new ensemble of artists on its upcoming EP and second installment to its compilation album, semilucent. The latest compilation, semilucent 2, features fresh, new artists both homegrown and diasporic.

The 5-track EP provides genre-blending acoustics, memorable melodies, and high-energy 808s. While the first album featured songs of dreamy and airy radiance, semilucent 2 draws inspiration from the darker mood that comes with the ending of summer, and a longing for memories past.

The album features recordings from the Vancouver Canada-based duo MANILA GREY; Philippine-native singer and instrumentalist Steven Peregrina, up-and-coming female R&B artist daze based out of Amsterdam, hip-hop powerhouse from New York CA Christian Alexander, seasoned rapper and songwriter Curtismith, and Filipino-American electronic producer standout Manila Killa with multi-talented global vocal artist Yuna

Breaking down the songs 

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Photo: PARADISE RISING

According to Steven Peregrina, his song All night is all about “good vibes, good times, and partying.” He adds, “I’m super excited and ecstatic to be a part of the semilucent 2 EP. I consider this song to be my ‘TakeOff,’ and y’all should be ready for me! So, Asia, here I come.”

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Photo: PARADISE RISING

As per Manila Grey, Island Baby (Maarte) brings a new vibe to the compilation project. “In this song, we show love to all the beautiful women in our lives, women who represent the vibrancy and class of our culture, both in our home city Vancouver. Maarte is slang for high maintenance in Filipino, but it actually means artsy. We just wanted to flip that narrative into something fun, while showcasing the art and the grace. All the strong women in our lives have high standards, sometimes you need that energy, you know? Like ‘go ahead, it’s all good, feel yourself,’” the group noted.

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Photo: PARADISE RISING

Meanwhile, daze’s song situationship is “about a relationship between two people who are in between love and friendship, or a situationship. Neither really wants to admit how much they like each other, but the tension and passion keep building until they both can’t deny it any longer. It’s a soulful song with layers and layers of melodies that express desire, connection, and taking a leap of faith,” daze reveals.

Photo: PARADISE RISING

CA Christian Alexander said he and Curtismith “are excited to be a part of the semilucent 2 EP, because we have an opportunity to represent the Philippines on 88rising’s global platform and inspire the next generation of artists to continue to keep pushing Filipino music culture forward.”

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(Photo: PARADISE RISING)

For Reminisce, Manila Killa shares that he “started the instrumental track during quarantine when I felt no pressure to create a specific type of music. It was during a time where I felt artistically free–there were no shows coming up and everything was at a standstill, so I took the opportunity to try some things out I haven’t before. When I found out Yuna was interested in the track, I was so excited to work with her as I’ve been a longtime fan. She totally understood the mood I was going for with the track and turned it from this fun disco demo into something raw, emotional, and reminiscent of better times.”


semilucent 2 is available on Spotify and other major streaming platforms by PARADISE RISING starting October 4. PARADISE RISING merchandise will also be available starting on the same date.

Art Daniella Sison

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