Unlike her self-titled debut release two years ago that introduced a promising artist capable of singing syrupy stories doused in fizzy washes of bright pop and R&B, her sophomore album under GMA Records, Deeper, pivots slightly off course. Now that this singer-songwriter is on the threshold of leaving her teenage years behind, Julie Anne San Jose has started to take steps that will certainly make her an enduring figure in the local music industry. Deeper is one such stride in the right direction.
Not that it’s a total departure from her 2012 debut as her second offering still delivers the same Julie Anne San Jose that made her a multi-dimensional star. Only this time, her growth, both as an artist and as a woman, is apparent.
“Right Where You Belong”, the album’s lead single, is recognizable with Julie Anne San Jose’s signature pretty vocals, gentle pop sound, and romantic lyrics, but her development is more palpable due largely to its accompanying music video—in which she looks and feels more settled, feminine, and even sultry in some scenes.
That feeling of maturity seems to be at the forefront of the album. Lyrically, the themes haven’t changed much since her debut—she spins out sentimental tales of love, only deeper and bleaker. Musically, it’s her most diverse to date, borrowing many elements from contemporary artists and shaking it all up with her own style to produce superb results at times.
While the carrier track alludes to her old self, the risks she took are much more blatant on her other brilliant cuts. “Blinded”, the album opener and one of six self-penned songs, digs at an ex-boyfriend packaged in a sunny, acoustic arrangement in which she eventually ‘found herself running free from loving you’.
Title track “Deeper” is a case of ‘nothing-else-matters-in-the-world-but-you-and-me’ ballad that follows the formula of pillow-soft piano and intimate strings arrangement building up into a big climax. But her scorching voice takes center stage, demonstrating a powerful soprano as well as a vulnerability in the lower notes. She has become a stronger, more self-assured singer able to channel the emotions on songs that demand for it.
Another sign of her maturity is that Julie Anne San Jose touches on more adult issues, an effort to remind everyone that she is not just a girl with a guitar—and, in doing so, continually raises her credibility. In “If Love’s a Crime” (a grand, symphonic ballad reminiscent of motion picture soundtracks), she sings about a forbidden love, though it’s unclear exactly what it is, meant to knuckle down under society’s dogmatic tendencies. “Diamond in my Eyes”, with its simple production, finds her encouraging self-acceptance and empowerment.
Julie Anne San Jose also throws in a couple of curve balls to complete an album that appeals to her large fan base—like the 2000s Pink-inspired vibe that thrusts “Never Had You”, which is about a relationship that never really blossomed, and the four-minute, sun-kissed surf pop of “Baby U Are”, perfect for long summer drives to the beach.
Two of the best songs on the album, however, successfully transcend expectations. “Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang” packs a great melody with glimmering production and R&B styling that are as sweet as her personality. Despite tackling regret and remorse, the sweet, mid-tempo number is an ideal template that would serve Julie Anne San Jose well in future albums. The anthemic, self-written “Tulad Mo” with its rap verses and acoustic arrangements showcase her awareness of genre-hopping to construct a more distinctive identity than anyone in mainstream radio. It’s amusing and funny (“Tao lang naman ako at dakilang macho,” she concludes on the second verse) and all sorts of authentic mashed into one modern song without losing herself. She closes her album with an acoustic version of “Blinded” and the gospel track “Christ in Us, Our Hope of Glory”.
For someone who has everything going for her, this sophomore album surpasses her previous work on many levels and exhibits an immense potential to legitimately be a long-term asset in Filipino music. As long as she continues to refine her craft and refuse to be distracted by show business’ traps, then she will likely have a long successful music career.
“Deeper” is now available on digital format via iTunes and spinnr.ph. The album immediately landed on the top spot of Top Albums on iTunes’ charts when the album became available last June 1. “Deeper” will be available in stores on CD format beginning June 22.