OPM powerhouses December Avenue and Morissette released their highly anticipated collaboration, “Ahon,” today. The single is a heartfelt anthem about silent yearning that lingers just beneath the surface.
“It’s a song about a love that never left — just hidden beneath the surface, waiting to rise again,” shared frontman Zel Bautista.
READ MORE: Select December Avenue Shares a First Listen of “Ahon” in a Full-Circle Moment
In the lyrics “Handa na ang puso kong malunod na sa piling mo, at muli ring aahon at magbabalik sa’yo,” it encapsulates heartache, vulnerability, and hope in a single track. Bautista added that it’s not just a longing for a partner but for a past version of yourself and the erratic healing that follows.
Keyboardist Gelo Cruz highlighted the line “Muli ring aahon at magbabalik sa’yo,” sharing that it reminds him why he continues pursuing music despite its challenges. “Whenever we get on the stage and hear all the people singing our songs back to us, I’m reminded of why I chose to do music in the first place,” he reflected.
With the song’s themes of longing and resilience, the band’s collaboration with Morissette came together effortlessly. The band also admitted that they were instantly captivated by the emotional depth and vocal clarity she brought to the demo.
“There’s clarity but also a storm underneath,” Bautista shared, elaborating that her dynamic range helped shape the entire arrangement. “That contrast was exactly what I was going for. I focused on building that intimate foundation as a contrast to her soaring parts.”
“When I first heard Mori sing live, it totally caught me off guard; her voice was way more powerful than I expected,” guitarist Jem Manuel commented. Likewise, drummer Jet Danao expressed his admiration for the singer, revealing she was the first person he had in mind for the track. “Actually, pag Mori ang usapan, finish na. Magaling kasi talaga si Mori,” he stated.
With “Ahon,” December Avenue’s thoughtfully resonant songwriting and Morissette’s vocal prowess produce an emotionally rich collaboration that captures love’s resilience and ability to find its way back.
