Rico Blanco's "Paalam"

“Out of all the songs I’ve released, Paalam is the song that took me the longest to finish. Some songs I finish in minutes, days, or weeks, but this one has been a work in progress for many, many years. All these years, I kept waiting for the right singer to come along. Production-wise, I always knew how I wanted the song to sound. I wanted it to have a timeless arrangement, or some would say a bit traditional.” ~Rico Blanco

Rico Blanco returns with "Paalam," a hauntingly simple yet masterfully composed ballad that encapsulates the enduring imprint of goodbyes in all its bittersweet and hopeful glory, following the renewed success of his solo catalog, especially "Your Universe," which recently made it into Spotify Philippines' Top 10.

"Paalam" explores the emotional burden of parting, whether from a person, a chapter, a place, or a former self. It is equal parts love song and meditation on loss.  In Blanco's hands, saying farewell becomes a gift that provides clarity, grounding, and eventually healing in addition to being an act of release and reawakening.

The departure of a former bandmate in the 1990s served as the initial inspiration for the song, which developed over time and took on a more profound form after Blanco's brother passed away recently.  He was hesitant to record it for himself for years because he thought a different voice could be more appropriate.  

However, the song's kundiman arrangements and complex orchestral buildup evoke something strong and primordial, as though Rico is sharing something intimate without fully revealing the plot.

Rico Blanco’s "Paalam" is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

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