Wild Life (Pupil album) explained

Wild Life
Type:Album
Artist:Pupil
Border:yes
Released:November 9, 2007
Recorded:2007
Length:41:53
Label:Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Philippines), Inc.
Prev Title:Beautiful Machines
Prev Year:2005
Next Title:Limiters of the Infinity Pool
Next Year:2011

Wild Life is the second studio album by the Filipino alternative rock band Pupil, released on November 9, 2007 through Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

The album featured the single “Set Me Apart”, used as the theme song for Animax. It is also drummer Bogs Jugo’s last contribution to the band, as he was later replaced by Wendell Garcia of Barbie's Cradle.

Recording

In 2007, the band were commissioned to write a new theme song for Animax. They recorded two songs, “Matador” and “Set Me Apart”, composed by their manager and Buendia's then-partner Diane Ventura (who later wrote the lead single "Sala" and album tracks "Fin" and "Bato"). "They just gave me the theme or the idea of what they wanted us to make for the target market of Animax," she said.[1]

Animax chose "Set Me Apart", which was released in May 2007 with an animated music video premiering the following month. The video later won Best Music Video at the PromaxBDA Awards the following year.[2] "Set Me Apart" also became drummer Bogs Jugo’s last song with the band, as he left soon after.

The band recruited Wendell Garcia of Barbie's Cradle as their new drummer. He said of his working relationship with the members: "Masaya. Malaking challenge sa repertoire ang ganitong music, first time ako tumugtog ng ganitong music (Fun. It's a big challenge to play this kind of music)."

Guitarist Yanni Yuzon stated that the album took three and a half weeks to record. "We intended to complete this in a month but we finished half a week ahead of our schedule," he said. Buendia continued: “Making the album was a breeze. We found it easy to talk to each other about it.”[3] Yuzon also explained the reasoning for the title: “Chaos can be good or bad. We’d like to think we’re in control. But life is a series of unforeseen circumstances. We are the voice of the minority, the disenfranchised.”

Release

The album was launched at a mall show at Eastwood City in Quezon City, where the band introduced Garcia and performed songs from the record.

The music video for "Disconnection Notice" was directed by Quark Henares and features Glaiza de Castro described as manic-dancing like Ian Curtis.[4]

Wild Life was digitally remastered and rereleased as a special edition on July 10, 2009 to commemorate the band's fourth anniversary. Its bonus content included live performances, music videos, demos, and wallpapers of the band.[5] [6] It was later released to streaming services in February 2020 by Sony Music Philippines.[7]

Track listing

2009 Special Edition music videos

Personnel

Pupil

Production

Design

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Almo . Nerisa . Pupil launches "Wildlife" album, introduces new drummer . PEP.ph.
  2. Web site: Legaspi . Amita . Pupil wins Best Music Video award in New York City . GMA News Online . 25 August 2024.
  3. Web site: Pupil: A walk on the wild side . Philippine Star . 25 August 2024.
  4. Web site: 10 songs from the Rakenrol soundtrack: a commentary by Diego Castillo and Quark Henares . Bandwagon Asia . 25 August 2024.
  5. Web site: Ocampo . Marielle . Pupil releases two-disc Wildlife Special Edition album . PEP.ph . 25 August 2024.
  6. Web site: Pupil special edition album launched . Philippine Star . 25 August 2024.
  7. Web site: A special edition of Pupil's 2007 album, Wildlife, is now on streaming services - listen . Bandwagon Asia . 25 August 2024.