How BGYO found their new sound with 'Trash'
Singing about throwing it all away for love, BGYO found their new sound.
The "Aces of P-pop" recently made their comeback with Trash, a pop, neo-soul, disco, and funk song about the desire to give it all up for love.
In a recent interview with PhilSTAR L!fe, Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki, and Nate share that this single paved the way for them to find their new sound.
It also gave them an opportunity to work with big names in the music industry, including Grammy-winning artist Lostboy and nominee Tele, who produced the song.
"This song was actually made in Davao, when we had a music camp. That’s the time where we met Greg Shilling, Elle Campbell, Lostboy and Tele," Mikki told L!fe.
He added, "Before we had a studio session, we had a casual...small talk, you know, they asked us questions about love and I think at the back of their head, they really wanted to make a love song so I think that’s how the thought started [and] the process of it is very very… nakaka refresh siya."
Similarly, the song marks the beginning of the group's exploration of a new genre they call "Fresh Pop."
"Parang ito 'yung first song na may pagka-disco vibe. Basta iba siya sa lahat lalo na noong una naming siyang napakinggan, iba agad yung na-feel naming sa song na ‘to," JL, the group's main vocalist, said.
The five-piece group also told L!fe that the song's underlying themes of love and determination would touch everyone, even if the title initially seemed strange.
The boys themselves have sacrificed some things in the name of love.
"For all of us, I think it's for BGYO [that] we sacrificed time with family, for ourselves, for friends, or for each other[,]" Nate said.
"[Siguro] tinapon namin is yung pride dahil magkakasama kami for a long journey so kailangan naming itapon para mas magka-isa kami," JL added.
Building a support system
BGYO's time in the spotlight has not been smooth sailing, but they deal with challenges by supporting each other.
"As a boy group, you know, we are five so I think the best way to handle negativities is being there for each other and when someone is down, you pull them up," Mikki underscored.
"It’s all about teamwork and family," he continued.
This also rings true for JL. "Mas kilala naming ‘yong sarili namin and same sa team namin, mas kilala nila kami, and our ACES. So, hindi kami nagpapa-apekto sa mga sinasabi ng ibang tao dahil alam naman namin sa sarili namin na hindi ‘yon totoo, hindi kami ‘yon and mas kilala naming yung bawat isa, do’n kami nagtutulung-tulungan."
Since their debut in 2021, BGYO has continued to make waves in the music industry, even abroad, by winning various music accolades, including the Best Theme Song Award in the 2021 Asian Academy Creative Award for He’s Into Her, being featured in Grammy’s The Many Sounds of Pop listicle in 2023, and performing on different international concert stages, among others.
But behind these numerous accolades is a group that "doesn't give up easily" and fought different circumstances to get there.
"'Yung pinaka nag-de-define sa group namin is that we are [people] who [don’t] give up easily. We are [fighters]. We’ve been through a lot and we won’t let negativity and fake news pull us down," Mikki said.
More music releases in 2025
While the group recently released their vlog Can Take Us, which featured their 39-day trip in the US and Canada, the group aims for more music releases in 2025.
"Marami pa po kaming nakalatag na new songs, and mapapakinggan niyo po ‘yan soon once na ma-release yung songs. Hindi lang yung songs; performances, [content] and many more[,[" Akira said.
"Speaking of area ng aming songs, simula pa lang ‘to, marami pa kayong aabangan," Gelo added.
Above all, BGYO aimed to emphasize through their latest and upcoming songs that Filipinos should continue to support P-pop and OPM in general.
"Being Filipino, We got to show love to our own. We got to show love to OPM music. I think we should learn how to love what is ours."
"Trash" is available on digital streaming platforms.