Kiana V Begins an Independent Chapter with New Album ‘I Know Better’

The nine-track R&B, soul, and pop project explores modern love, difficult choices, and the uneven process of personal growth.

Filipina singer-songwriter Kiana V returns with I Know Better, a nine-track album about recognizing what is right for you—and sometimes choosing differently anyway.

Blending R&B, soul, and pop, the project explores the emotional complications of modern relationships, from giving too much too soon to confronting the gap between someone’s words and actions.

The album also marks a milestone for the Los Angeles-based artist: it is her first fully independent album, following previous work with Tarsier Records and 88rising’s Paradise Rising.

Knowing Better Does Not Always Mean Doing Better

At the center of I Know Better is the idea that growth does not follow a straight line.

Its songs examine familiar relationship experiences: someone from the past returning unexpectedly, holding on despite warning signs, and finally recognizing a situation for what it is.

“I think we all wish that once we know better, we automatically do better,” Kiana says. “But sometimes you see the mess you’re creating and you still lean into it. That’s the human part of it, I guess.”

That tension gives the album its focus. Rather than presenting self-awareness as an instant solution, Kiana explores the space between understanding a pattern and finding the strength to change it.

A Record Made on Her Own Terms

For Kiana, the independent release extends beyond how the album reaches listeners. She shaped the project on her own terms, from its songwriting through its visuals.

Born and raised in the Philippines, she has spent recent years splitting her time between Los Angeles and Manila. Her sound draws on emotional storytelling, soulful melodies, and nostalgia.

The album arrives as she marks 10 years in her music career in 2026 and moves into a more internationally oriented chapter.

According to the release announcement, the Philippines remains her largest audience market. Her listeners also span Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the United States, and Australia.

Her recognition includes an Awit Award for Favorite Female Artist and a PMPC Award for Best R&B Artist of the Year.

Returning to the Philippines for PLUS63 Festival

Following the album’s release, Kiana is set to return to the Philippines for PLUS63 Festival on November 28, joining a lineup that includes Khalid, DENỸ, and SHNTI.

The appearance will bring her back to her home audience as she introduces this new independent chapter.

Listen to Kiana V’s I Know Better.