The song gathers an all-star ensemble as sessionists, including Benjie Santos of The Jerks on drums, Rey Abella on keyboards, and Kakoy Legaspi on lead guitars.
Just a month after dropping “Pink Skies,” The Bloomfields are back with “Balikan,” a luminous new track that yearns for the beauty of simpler days: a time when moments were lived, not streamed.
Brimming with nostalgia and reflection, “Balikan” conveys the universal longing to return to the glorious memories of the past while rediscovering its warmth.
“This song is about that sudden realization of how quickly time passes—and the longing to return to those simpler days,” shares Nathan Abella, the band’s rhythm guitarist. “It all started with something as ordinary as hanging out in a parking lot with old friends, which sparked a wave of nostalgia.”
Produced by Lakan Hila, the band’s keyboardist and lead guitarist, “Balikan” radiates with rich, lush textures and melodic sensibilities that recall George Harrison’s timeless sound and the dreamy hues of late ‘60s and early ‘70s psychedelia. The result is both classic and contemporary, unraveling a sonic tapestry that doesn’t feel out of place regardless of the era it was released in.
The Bloomfields bassist Louie Poco explains, “It’s something peaceful and easy to listen to, playful yet solemn. It captures a nostalgic feeling that takes you back to the good, old days.”
Adding to the song’s intricate concoction is an all-star lineup of legendary Filipino sessionists: Benjie Santos of The Jerks on drums, Rey Abella on keyboards, and Kakoy Legaspi lending his unmistakable touch on lead guitar. Their artistry, honed by decades of musical craftmanship, infuses “Balikan” with depth, soul, and verve.
“It’s a sound that steps outside the usual Bloomfields character,” Poco explains. “You can really feel the different personalities blending together in this track.”
The Bloomfields’ “Balikan” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Lily Stars Records.
