Grandma (album) explained

Grandma
Type:studio
Artist:Unique
Cover:Grandma_by_Unique_album_artwork.jpg
Border:yes
Released:August 13, 2018
Recorded:2018
Studio:House of Billy Gaga Studios, Quezon City
Label:O/C Records
VR-CDS-18-548
Next Title:Pangalan
Next Year:2020

Grandma is the debut studio album by Filipino singer-songwriter Unique Salonga. It was released on August 13, 2018, by O/C Records.[1]

Background and composition

On May 5, 2018, IV of Spades frontman Unique Salonga had officially departed from his band, seeking to pursue "personal endeavors", much to the dismay of fans. On July 13, Unique released his first single from the album, "Midnight Sky", accompanied by a black-and-white music video. This coincided with the release of IV of Spades's new single "In My Prison", the band's first after Unique's departure.[2]

On September 1, Unique released the second single from the album, titled "Cha-Ching!" with its black-and-white music video, directed by himself.[3] "Sino", the third single from the album, was released on March 16, 2019. Directed by Kean Cipriano, its music video was also set in black-and-white mode and shot in various places to have a “symmetrical” vibe to achieve a self-exploration feel, according to him.[4]

Recording

With Callalily vocalist Kean Cipriano co-producing, Unique self-produced Grandma. Emil Dela Rosa mixed and mastered the album with Billy Reyes at the House of Billy Gaga Studios. "Cha-Ching!" was one of the first songs to be recorded and utilized heavy synths, percussion tracks, and vocal stacks. Among the first tracks as well was "Midnight Sky" which used a Shure SM57 and an AKG C414 XLS for mics. The song is one of the more minimalist in the album, alongside "Apoy ng Kandila". The tracks "Jules" and "Goodnight Prayer" were mixed to mimic the panning effects of records during the early days of stereo.[5]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNotable WorksResult
201932nd Awit AwardBest Cover Art"Grandma"[6] [7]
20216th Wish Music AwardsWishclusive Rock/Alternative Song of the Year"Sino"[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Unique surprises fans with solo debut album Grandma. www.bandwagon.asia. 13 August 2018 . 13 August 2018.
  2. Web site: Unique Salonga Just Released His Solo Debut Album, 'Grandma'. Rodriguez. Angeline. August 14, 2018.
  3. News: Bodegon . Kara . Unique shows his darker side with self-directed 'Cha-Ching!' video – watch . 14 May 2020 . 3 September 2018.
  4. News: Bodegon . Kara . Behind the Lens: Unique's 'Sino' – watch . 14 May 2020 . 19 March 2019.
  5. Web site: Unique's solo debut album Grandma: a track-by-track guide by Emil Dela Rosa. Kara. Bodegon. August 15, 2018.
  6. News: Awit Awards 2019: Full list of nominees. ABS-CBN News. 23 July 2019. 18 September 2019.
  7. News: FULL LIST: Winners, Awit Awards 2019. Rappler. 11 October 2019. 12 October 2019.
  8. Web site: The 2021 Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Official List of Nominees . Wish 107.5 . 22 November 2020.