P-Pop trailblazers SB19 has officially released Wakas at Simula, a 24-track album that marks the closure of their formative era in music while introducing a new phase of artistic exploration. The second full-length album chronicles the group’s journey of self-discovery, identity building, and cultivating public trust, all strengthened through years of experience and creative growth.
“At the same time, this marks a new beginning,” SB19 adds. “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.”
A Cohesive Anthology of Past and Present
Wakas at Simula is a carefully curated anthology, blending selections from SB19’s acclaimed trilogy of EPs—Pagsibol, Pagtatag, and Simula at Wakas—with six new tracks that highlight the band’s reinvigorated approach to production and songwriting. The result is a future-forward pop record that embraces genre fluidity and maximalism while retaining SB19’s unmistakable energy and charisma.
Pablo, SB19’s leader and chief producer, emphasizes the album’s thoughtful sonic direction. “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.”
International Collaborations and Genre-Blending Hits
The album features international collaborations with renowned pop artists, expanding SB19’s influence beyond P-Pop. Queen of C-Pop JOLIN is prominently featured in Emoji, a euphoric club anthem infused with Brazilian funk elements.
SB19’s Ken, who co-produced the track with PLAYERTWO’s Luke April, shared insight into the collaborative process: “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. Pablo, JOLIN, and I wrote the lyrics together. The song explores social media and how people often mask their true emotions behind emojis. It reflects on the contrast between online personas and genuine feelings, highlighting the subtle ways technology shapes human expression.”
The release of Emoji will be accompanied by a music video set in two versions of an underground dungeon. Justin explains, “The direction for the music video was to keep it simple and accessible while maintaining high quality and showcasing an impressive performance. Our creative director carefully ensured that the set designs and overall concept subtly reinforced the song’s message. The video features two distinct layouts: one glamorous and polished, the other messy and chaotic, representing the contrast between the idealized image people present online and the reality they often hide behind emojis.”
Another standout collaboration is Toyfriend, which features Japanese pop group BE:FIRST. Other notable new tracks include the catchy R&B tune Memories, the sonically adventurous Everblack, and the emotional ballad Wakas, highlighting SB19’s extraordinary vocal abilities and heartfelt delivery.
Revisiting Past Hits with Fresh Perspective
SB19 also reworked tracks from their 2021 EP Pagsibol, incorporating new arrangements that reflect their artistic growth. “For us, it was about respect and progression,” Pablo explains. “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.”
Global Reach and Upcoming Performances
Ahead of the release, SB19 revealed the official track list for Wakas at Simula during a press conference on March 23, 2026, simultaneously streamed live on Weverse. The video has already garnered more than 300,000 views and 30 million likes within 24 hours, solidifying the band’s global presence.
SB19 is also slated to perform at two of the world’s most prominent music festivals: Lollapalooza in Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois, from July 30 to August 2, 2026, and Summer Sonic in Tokyo, Japan, on August 15, 2026.
Wakas at Simula is available now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Fans can watch the music video release of Emoji (feat. JOLIN) today at 7:00 PM on SB19’s official YouTube channel.
