#NewClassicILIB

Chapter 11
Canvas

Last year ended with a bang as New Classic won a lot of music awards―changing the game as a rookie band who's rewriting the history of OPM. It was reported that they sold more than 300 thousand units of Kaleidoscope and received a Diamond certification from PARI.

It was a huge deal because no rookie artist in the country had reached this success, within only a year since debut. They were even the best-selling artist of the year, and Kaleidoscope won the title as the best-selling album of the year.

When they released New First Classic, more fans had entered the fandom. I was aware because I kept track of the rising number of followers on our fanbase account. Even the official account of New Classic reached more than a million already.

The news and articles of New Classic taking over the world by storm were all over the internet, newspapers, magazines, and local entertainment news. After they released the lead single of their upcoming second album, almost two months ago, it received a lot of recognition over its empowering lyrics, which promoted the band's advocacies. They gained international recognition. They were even interviewed again by the same international entertainment channel, which interviewed them last year.

"Your new lead single, Colors, from your upcoming second mini album is a huge success internationally," the interviewer said with a very bright personality. "I wonder―what are you, guys, feeling about this success? Did you expect it to be such a hit?"

The three immediately looked over their leader. Ike was ready to answer the question.

"We never thought that Colors would be a huge success. Everything is too overwhelming for us, like everything is happening in just a blink of an eye. It never crossed our minds that we would be recognized internationally or that our songs would be heard by people overseas, so we are just really overwhelmed, yet grateful for the recognition and the success of our song."

Acknowledging Ike's words, the other members nodded.

"Your second album, which contains the lead single you just released, will be out next month." The interviewer glanced on her cue card, before raising her gaze on the boys once again. "What should your fans or your listeners expect in this upcoming album?"

"First of all, our first mini album, Kaleidoscope, talked about encouraging people to look at the different aspects in life. It also aimed to comfort people who are in doubt of themselves or feeling down," Sic recalled on their first album. "This time, they will see the side of New Classic, who uses the power of music to speak our thoughts and promote our advocacies. They should expect songs, which―hopefully―can empower each and every one of us to stand up and speak out."

The interviewer nodded and asked, "How hard it is to work on your second album compared to your first album? How long does the recording take?"

Ike pointed on Jirro to let him speak and answer the question.

"Personally, I think it's harder to work on this album," Jirro answered. "It's not about writing songs or how long we had to record, but we have a problem with our management about releasing the songs we wrote for this album. We are aware that we are going to touch sensitive topics and social issues, so we might encounter some problems. However, as we are all determined to use our platform and influence to speak out for those who can't be heard, we pushed through releasing the songs we wrote for the album―as what we originally planned. In the end, fortunately, our management supported us with our decision."

"Wow! That's great!" I could see that the interviewer was so impressed with them. "So, do you have any goals for the release of your upcoming album? What are the things you want to achieve this time?"

"I think what we really want this time is to be heard by more people, not because we want to be famous or whatsoever. Rather, we want people to hear our music in order to serve its purpose," Isaiah seriously answered. "And as a band singing OPM, at first we just really want to make music for ourselves―and for our fans. Now that our doors internationally has been opened, we want to take the opportunity to represent OPM all over the world."

Many people praised New Classic after the interview was released. The anticipated second mini album got a record-breaking of 300 thousand pre-ordered copies before it was even released.

Since we still have remaining funds and we saved the money we were paid with, we were able to buy two-hundred fifty copies of the album and organize advertisements on social media. Aside from that, I bought another ten copies using my own money.

The band decided to have another online showcase, an hour before the release of their new album. Just like before, they talked about the meaning of the album, while doing a quick unboxing of their new album to show us how it looks like, and also explained each track.

"This is our new album..." Ike said, and all the members lifted up a copy of their album that they were holding.

Unlike their first album mini album, the design of the new album was lighter and brighter. It had a minimalisti and simple design, but it was still beautiful.

"Our second mini album is called Canvas," Ike stated, and the camera zoomed to show the album for a few seconds. "We had given a lot of thought on what to name our album, and we came up with 'Canvas' after a few discussions with the creative directors," he started to explain. "The canvas―like where we usually paint―in our album, it represents our world. The songs it contains symbolize what we want to use to paint the world and make it a better one."

"Yes, and as you can see..." Sic opened the album to show the tracks and the CD itself.

"It has 5 tracks: Colors, which is the lead single or title track that we released almost two months ago; Repaint; Rainbow; Blue; and New First Classic, which is a bonus track in the album."

"Since we already gave you a brief introduction to Canvas, let us talk about the tracks included in the album..." Nilingon ni Jirro si Isaiah. "You go first, Isaiah."

Isaiah nodded his head and stared straight into the camera.

I smiled because I wasn't the same Zendaya, who always got flustered, every time Isaiah would stare right through the monitor. I had a better control with my emotions. Siguro ay isa na rin ang dahilan na naging kumportable na rin ako sa kanila. I often saw them in mall shows. Kapag bumisita rin ako minsan sa Top Records para makausap ni Mr. Joel ay nandoon sila para sa mga rehearsals.

Hindi na ako gaanong natataranta at kinakabahan kapag nandyan si Isaiah. Naisip ko rin kasi na kapag ipinakita ko ang aking pagkabalisa ay baka hindi rin sila maging kumportable sa akin. And so, I trained myself to handle my emotions well. Ever since, I learned how to school my expressions, I became calm and collected, whenever I was in front of them.

"The lead single, which is what we are going to perform later, is Colors," Isaiah said. "I'm sure you already know the song. It's been two months since it was released. But if other people watching us still have no idea, the song is about appreciating different colors, especially black. Some people think that black is a dead color or that it represents evilness or fear. However, many are forgetting that even though it is a low-energy color, the reason why it turned that way is because it absorbs all light. It's a mixture of different colors. It has all the colors, and that's why it is special."

Silently, I clapped my hand, after he spoke and explained the meaning of the song. I took note of it and recorded it as a voice record on my phone because we would need to type and post what they said later on. May mga iba kasing paniguradong hindi makakapanood ng live nila, lalo na't wala itong replay.

I was aware that there would be fans who were illegally recording the live online showcase, but as the admins of First Class PH, we weren't supposed to promote such activities. And so, transcribing their speech to texts was the least thing we could do.

"Like what Isaiah said, we will perform Colors live later, so we wouldn't be playing its snippet. We will now move on to the second track in the album―Repaint," Jirro said. "This is the song, where the idea to name our album 'Canvas' came from. It is a song which calls for justice. That if we are given a chance to repaint the world, we will change its color. We will paint it as the world everyone would want to live in."

If I'd be given a chance
To repaint the world
I'd start painting those red hands
With chains and cuffs
Erase the ropes and tapes
Tying the hands
And sealing the mouths of the youth

My heart boomed, realizing how heavy the meaning of the song is.

The world is painted in
Black and white
Wrong and right
Light and dark

Oh, listen
This isn't fair
Be fair and square
But they don't even care

The world is bleeding in red
Like it would easily collapse
I'd promise to paint it blue
Like the Elysian Fields of the living
If I'd be given a chance
To repaint the world,
I'd paint it for you and me to live

As I deciphered every word in the lyrics of Repaint, I got goosebumps all throughout the snippet. It was revolutionary. Like what Jirro had explained, it's a song which calls out for justice. I couldn't help admiring their braveness for speaking out against tyranny and injustice through their song.

"And the third track in the album, Rainbow, is a song which we aim to promote equality even in diversity." It was Sic's turn to introduce the third track. "We also want people to know that seeing the beauty of other people―no matter what race, color, gender, or nationality they have―is the key to acceptance. And that acceptance is the pathway to new beginnings."

Cause when the sun shines
After the rain
Look up and see

It's a flicker of hope
A leap of faith
It's with different colors
But in a same shape

It's a pathway to new beginnings
A call for acceptance, equality;
A beauty
It's a rainbow
It's a rainbow
It's a rainbow

When New Classic said that they wanted to promote their advocacies and raise awareness through their new album, they really weren't lying. I was so proud of them for speaking out and taking a stand.

To be honest, it was such a huge risk to do what they did for a rising artist, especially here in our country―where most people are blind not to see reason. And not to mention that they also have crooked mindset. I applauded the band for spreading awareness and using their platform to promote what's right, even with the expense that they might receive backlash from those who are close-minded.

"On to the fourth track of the album..." The camera moved to Ike. "Blue is a song we wrote in hopes that it might empower an individual by accepting your own flaws and being true to yourself. We want this song to encourage everyone not to give up, in times of sorrow and defeat."

Walking along an endless path
Not knowing where to go
You took the risk
You took the fall
You're hurt, wanting go back home

I could feel the overflowing emotions on Isaiah's voice when he sang the lyric 'home' with desperation. It was like he was in pain himself. He became better with expressing more through singing.

Blue skies
Blue seas
Be true to yourself
Be blue

Blue skies
Blue seas
Stay true to yourself
Be blue

I realized how good New Classic is, when it comes to making rock ballad songs. Isaiah's voice really fits the genre because of his slightly husky singing voice, whenever he's singing something melancholic.

"The last track of the album is the song we wrote for our First Class." Ike was also the one who introduced the last track. "It was released last year. We decided to include it in the album as a bonus track. Since we are talking about our world in this album, it's only fitting that us and our fans are included, too."

"Ike is right," Isaiah seconded, while cutely nodding his head. "And speaking of our First Class, I'm sure they have been waiting for our first live performance of Colors."

"Yes, we haven't performed it since it was released two months ago," Sic commented. "I'm sure they are dying to see us perform it."

"Let's not drag this any longer, guys," Jirro told them, like they were just casually chatting. "There's only 10 minutes left before the release of the album."

"Okay, so I hope you guys have fun with this short live online showcase we did for Canvas. We hope that you'll continue to support us and listen to our songs with open minds and pure hearts," Ike rushed the closing ment. "Without further ado, Got Music?"

"New Classic!" They all had a smile on their faces. "Thank you for watching!"

Gaya sa unang online live showcase nila ay nagfade sa black ang screen. Nang makalipas ang dalawa hanggang tatlong minuto ay ipinakita na nila ang bagong stage set-up kung saan nakapuwesto na sina Isaiah, Ike, Jirro, at Sic.

The stage was aesthetically colorful. The members were all wearing berets. Their stylists must had wanted them to wear it to look like they were painters.

I told them I like you
Because you're black
They hatin' and sayin'
You're nothing―just plain black

The camera focused right away on Isaiah as he sang the first verse. Even though I already managed to control my emotions, once I watched Isaiah performs, I was falling over and over again. There was just really something about the way he sings. It always does something to my heart that I couldn't properly comprehend.

And so,
They tried to speak about different colors
They tried to tell me to:

Fall in love with blue
It will stay with you
Fall in love with yellow
It will make you glow
Fall in love with red
It will love you 'til the end
And fall in love with white
It will allow you to paint any color you like

I couldn't stop myself from singing along as I already memorized the song by heart. I didn't know how many times I have listened to it, after it was released.

But they don't know
(Oh, they don't know)
Blue, yellow, red, and white
You have it all
Behind your mysterious black façade
A mixture of colors that I adore

During the bridge, Isaiah was walking towards the piano. Since their debut, I had never seen him playing the piano on their performance. My heart was bursting in excitement, eager to see him playing it.

As he sat on the piano, the lights faded a bit, and the other members stopped playing. But when the sound of the piano came to life, there was a spotlight focused on Isaiah.

I fall in love with blue
I fall in love with yellow
I fall in love with red
I fall in love with white

For the first line, only the piano and Isaiah's soft and breathy voice could be heard. The other members started to join him, one by one, until the whole stage was lit up once again.

Fall in love with blue
It will stay with you
Fall in love with yellow
It will make you glow
Fall in love with red
It will love you 'til the end
And fall in love with white
It will allow you to paint any color you like

The camera zoomed in to Ike, after they all sang the last chorus all together. His eyes pierced onto the camera.

(Blue, red, yellow, white
You have it all)

Then, it went to Jirro, focused on playing his bass.

(Blue, red, yellow, white
You have it all)

Lastly, it zoomed to Sic, who smiled directly at the camera, while playing his drums.

(Blue, red, yellow, white
You have it all)

As Isaiah sang the last lines, the camera went back to him.

Baby, you have it all
Oh, I'm in love with you

After the song ended, they did another close up shots to all the members' faces, before it zoomed out to see the full stage, then faded to black.