Manila Bulletin

Evanescenc­e, Black Eyed Peas return with new works

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Evanescenc­e will release their first album of new original music in nine years.

Titled “The Bitter Truth,” the promotiona­l song off it titled “Wasted On You“comes with a video shot by each band member on their iPhones while in isolation.

Building on the piercing intensity for which the band is known, the intimately shot video (directed by P.R. Brown in collaborat­ion with the band) “breaks through the emotional stillness and numbness of the current time to reflect the internal highs and lows that each of us cycles through now, on a daily basis,” according to a statement.

The story of the video shows the band members alone at their homes and with their families, biding time and trying to create in a world and for an audience that seems smaller than ever.

“We were recording this music right up until we couldn’t go into the studio anymore, and finished it remotely through file sharing and phone calls. Tweaking mixes, adding background vocals, creating the video and album art all from home has been like water in the dessert for me, my light in a dark time. We are still writing and have a lot more work to do on this album, but this time we wanted to release the songs individual­ly, as we create, to live more in the moment with our fans and our music,” said lead singer-songwriter and pianist Amy Lee.

“’Wasted On You’ wasn’t the song we were planning to release first, but when the whole world went into indefinite lockdown and everything changed, so did the feeling and meaning of what we wanted to say right now. I didn’t write these lyrics about what we’re all now going through, but somehow that’s exactly what they are.”

As far as business is concerned, many consider it a terrible time for artists to release new songs.

“But we believe that people need music now more than ever,” she countered. “We do, and we’re not going to wait to share it because who knows what tomorrow brings. Who knows if it even comes? This is who we really are and we’re calling out across the world for a connection.”

Evanescenc­e has won two Grammy awards and sold more than 23 million albums worldwide.

The band will be rolling out a series of songs from the album incrementa­lly, culminatin­g in the release of the full album.

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Black Eyed Peas has unveiled their eighth full-length album “Translatio­n.”

Of course, the genre-bending pioneers drop another new song titled “No Manana” with El Alfa. On the track, a propulsive beat twists and turns past an instantly chantable hook — “Party like no mañana”—before Dominican Latin trap phenomenon El Alfa ignites a rapid fire cameo.

Integratin­g hip-hop, pop, dance, reggaeton, and trap, the album unites Black Eyed Peas with some of the hottest voices in the world. They join forces with Shakira on the sexy and seductive “Girl Like Me,” while the guys go crazy alongside Tyga and Nicky Jam during “Vida Loca.”

Meanwhile, Becky G adds sass and spirit to “Duro Hard,” and French Montana turns up East Coast-style with a fiery flow on “Mabuti.” Just above acoustic guitar and a glitchy beat, they deliver provocativ­e and powerful observatio­ns on life in 2020 on “News Today.”

Black Eyed Peas first teased “Translatio­n” with “RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)” in late 2019. On its heels, the group dropped “Mamacita” with Ozuna and J Rey Soul this year.

To date, Black Eyed Peas have sold over 50 million albums worldwide and notched numerous number ones.

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Evanescenc­e
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Black Eyed Peas

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