With over 175,000 albums sold all over Asia of her “I Love Acoustic” series, Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart Sabrina continues to delight Asian audiences with the release of “I Love Acoustic 5”. This is her second album in 2012 after taking a break from “I Love Acoustic” with the concept album “Acoustic Love Notes” her collaboration with radio/ TV host Joe D’Mango which spawned the hits “Somewhere Down The Road”, “Sa Bawat Paghinga” (theme song of GMA Korean series “Angel’s Temptation” and “One True Love”).
Like her previous albums which are multi-platinum successes in countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines, “I Love Acoustic 5” includes current hit songs interpreted by Sabrina in her signature acoustic style which enthralled Asian listeners. Songs like: “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” (originally by Taylor Swift), “Call Me Maybe” (Carly Rae Jepsen), “Payphone” (Maroon 5), “What Makes You Beautiful” (One Direction), “Starships” (Nicki Minaj), “Somebody That I Used To Know” (Gotye), “Part of Me” (Katy Perry), “One Thing” (One Direction), “Glad You Came” (The Wanted), “I Won’t Give Up” (Jason Mraz), “We Found Love” (Rihanna), “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” (Kelly Clarkson), “A Thousand Years” (Christina Perri), “Domino” (Jessie J) and “If I Die Young” (The Band Perry).
It also features the carrier single “Terrified” (originally by Katharine McPhee & Zachary Levi), her duet with Asiansation Christian Bautista — another Filipino artist who made a name in Southeast Asia like Sabrina.
“In last year’s “Awit Awards” (Philippines’ version of The Grammy’s), I had the pleasure of sharing the “International Achievement” award with Christian Bautista. As we waited to be called onstage to accept our award, we were able to chat a bit backstage. I remember Christian saying that maybe we could do a duet for our Southeast Asian fans someday. That was one of the highlights of my first Awit Awards night experience. That “someday” is NOW. Happy, excited, delighted, honored, grateful – I feel these all at once because of this collaboration”, Sabrina said.
Sabrina also collaborated with famous Thai saxophonist Koh Mr. Saxman for the single “Could It Be” – a popular Indonesian song originally recorded by Indonesian pop star Raisa. The single was translated into English to be included in Sabrina’s album as requested by her Indonesian fans.
“Well, early on, way back after the first “I Love Acoustic” album became successful in Indonesia, we wanted to surprise my Indonesian Sabrinatics by doing an acoustic cover of a famous Indonesian song. It took us 3 years but they have finally found the perfect song to use. I was really pleased when they made me listen to the song. It was catchy, the message is so me! So I was able to easily own the song, if you know what I mean, as I could totally relate to it. Now, I am looking forward to how my Indonesian Sabrinatics would react to this surprise,” Sabrina said.
For the first time in any “I Love Acoustic” album, an original song is included, “Oh Boy” written by Sabrina herself.
“Oh Boy’ is actually the prequel of my other composition ‘One True Love’ included in “Acoustic Love Notes”. It talks about that magical moment when you know in your heart that you’ve already fallen for someone but you feel like he is never going to love you back. Your heart and mind struggle but in the end, your heart wins. So even when you know there’s a chance you’ll end up getting hurt, you still hope that he’d give you the chance to show him how much you can love him and that the two of you have a shot at forever,” Sabrina said.
With Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart now writing her own songs, will we see more original songs in her future albums?
“Yes! That’s definitely something I’m exploring right now… creating songs from my own experiences and thoughts, and I’ll certainly share ‘em in my future albums,” Sabrina shared.
With all her success especially in Southeast Asia, two words come to her mind: endless gratitude.
“I have never expected nor imagined that I would get support from people let alone those who are outside my country. Their support is what keeps me going. And for as long as they wanna hear music from me, I will never stop doing what I do. I love them all so much, they know that,” Sabrina said.
I Love Acoustic 5”, the new album from Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart SABRINA, is now out in CDs at leading record stores under MCA Music. It is also available worldwide online via iTunes and www.mymusicstore.com.ph. To download Sabrina’s music on your mobile phones in the Philippines, text SABRINA to 3456.