Multo (song)
| "Multo" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
_by_Cup_of_Joe_cover_art.jpg) | ||||
| Single by Cup of Joe | ||||
| from the album Silakbo | ||||
| Language | Filipino | |||
| English title | Ghost | |||
| Released | September 14, 2024 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:57 | |||
| Label | Viva | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
| |||
| Producer(s) | Shadiel Chan | |||
| Cup of Joe singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Multo" on YouTube | ||||
"Multo" (lit. 'Ghost') is a song recorded by Filipino band Cup of Joe for their debut studio album, Silakbo (2025). Written by co-lead vocalist Raphaell Ridao and his brother Redentor during the COVID-19 pandemic, the synth-pop and pop-rock ballad track explores themes of grief, emotional haunting, and self-reflection. Produced by Shadiel Chan, it signifies a more introspective turn in the band's musical direction. It was released on September 14, 2024, under Viva Records.
Upon release, "Multo" received widespread acclaim and significant commercial success. Billboard Philippines' Gabriel Saulog described the song as one that "hits you straight in the feels", noting its ambitious and experimental sound and a "hook that lingers deep upon its first full listen". Rolling Stone Philippines similarly hailed it as a turning point in Cup of Joe's artistry, with Elijah Pareño writing that it established the group as "serious pop storytellers". In April 2025, it became the first song by a Filipino act to debut on the Billboard Global 200, entering at number 181. It also peaked at number 74 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, the highest debut for a Filipino artist on that chart. In the Philippines, the song topped both the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 and Top Philippine Songs charts.
Background and release
[edit]On February 9 and 10, 2024, Cup of Joe held its first solo concert, Cup of Joe: Seatbelts on!, at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City.[1] The band also released their single "Lahat ng Bukas" (2024) on February 9, featuring Keanna Mag.[2] In August 2024, they released the music video for their single "Misteryoso" (2024), starring Jhoanna Robles and directed by Justin de Dios.[3] To mark their sixth anniversary, Cup of Joe unveiled Dos: The Sixth Joenniversary Special, a four‑part live project on September 6.[4]
On September 14, the band surprised its fans with the release of "Multo" under Viva Records, after announcing it just three hours before the release.[5][6] In March 2025, the music video for the track was released, featuring actors Miles Ocampo and Elijah Canlas.[7] "Multo" served as the first single of the band's first album, Silakbo (lit. 'Outburst'), which was released in January 2025.[8]
Composition and lyrics
[edit]"Multo" is three minutes and fifty-seven seconds long.[9] It was written by Cup of Joe's co-lead vocalist Raphaell Ridao and his older brother Redentor during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Ridao, the two were confined to a room and found it difficult to process their emotions after they both experienced losing someone, eventually turning to songwriting as a means of coping. Produced by Shadiel Chan,[9] the song served as an emotional release for both of them, expressing feelings of longing and sadness that had been difficult to confront.[8][10]
Musically, "Multo" is a synth-pop and pop rock[11] ballad, described as melancholic by Elijah Pareño of Rolling Stone Philippines.[12] It address themes of moving forward in life while being persistently affected by the memory of a past relationship, highlighting the process of accepting grief and confronting emotional pain.[8] The lyrics "Pasindi na ng ilaw" (lit. 'Turn on the lights') and "Minumulto na 'ko ng damdamin ko" (lit. 'I'm being haunted by my feelings') have been interpreted as a metaphor for the group's artistic evolution, reflecting a shift from a more playful image to a more introspective exploration of their musical identity.[12]
Reception
[edit]"Multo" received favorable reviews from music critics, with most of them regarding the song as an evolution for Cup of Joe's sound. Billboard Philippines' Gabriel Saulog wrote that the song "hits you straight in the feels", adding that "sonically, the track itself is a bit more ambitious and experimental for the band, with a hook that lingers deep upon its first full listen".[13] Likewise, the Philippine magazine Metroscene observed that the song offered a "more refined" version of the band's signature sound. They named it as a standout track on Silakbo, explaining, "The maturity of the sound really stands out, and it's almost like the band's growing alongside their music."[14] Elijah Pareño of Rolling Stone Philippines also wrote that "Multo" established Cup of Joe as serious musicians and storytellers.[12] Nylon Manila's Nica Glorioso called the track "a beautiful song that does its job of making people feel what the band intended them to feel", further describing it as "stirring", "evocative", and "haunting yet cathartic".[15]
Commercially, "Multo" became the first song by a Filipino act to enter the Billboard Global 200 chart, debuting at number 181 in April 2025. The song also placed number 74 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, marking the highest debut and the first entry by a Filipino artist in the top 100 of that chart.[16] In the Philippines, it topped the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 chart during the same month.[17] "Multo" also helped Cup of Joe become the first Filipino artist to reach more than 8.3 million monthly listeners on Spotify.[10] The song had an impact on Filipino pop culture as well, with Nylon Manila and ABS-CBN News reporting that "Multo" had become a nearly inescapable viral trend online.[15][18]
Credits and personnel
[edit]Credits are adapted from Apple Music.[9]
- Cup of Joe – vocals, arranger
- Raphaell Ridao – songwriter, arranger
- Redentor Immanuel Ridao – songwriter, arranger
- Shadiel Chan – arranger, producer
Charts
[edit]| Chart (2025) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Global 200 (Billboard)[19] | 80 |
| Philippines (IFPI)[20] | 1 |
| Philippines (Philippines Hot 100)[17] | 1 |
| Philippines (Top Philippine Songs)[21] | 1 |
| UAE (IFPI)[22] | 12 |
References
[edit]- ^ Pagulong, Charmie Joy (February 3, 2024). "Cup of Joe excited for first solo concert". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 18, 2025.
- ^ Deala, Joanna (February 13, 2024). "Cup of Joe's concert is tribute to band's 'firsts'". RepublicAsia Media. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ Go, Mayks (July 30, 2024). "Cup Of Joe Premiere "Misteryoso" Video Starring Bini's Jhoanna – Watch". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ Saenz, Rome (September 6, 2024). "Cup of Joe Announce 'DOS: The Sixth JOEnniversary Special'". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on September 7, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ Saulog, Gabriel (September 16, 2024). "Cup Of Joe Look Back To Their Past In "Multo" – Listen". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on April 19, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ Aguja, Januar Junior (April 1, 2025). "Cup of Joe's Cebu concert evokes 'Silakbo' of emotions among fans". The Philippine Star. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ "Cup of Joe drops 'Multo' music video starring Elijah Canlas and Miles Ocampo". GMA News Online. March 7, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c Go, Mayks (January 14, 2025). "A Track-By-Track Guide To 'Silakbo' By Cup of Joe". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ a b c "Multo - Single - Album by Cup of Joe". Apple Music. September 14, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ a b Deala, Joanna (April 16, 2025). "Cup of Joe's 'Multo' enters Billboard Global 200". RepublicAsia. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
- ^ Gil, Baby A. (April 5, 2025). "Cup of Joe makes the global chart". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on April 19, 2025. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
- ^ a b c Pareño, Elijah (April 11, 2025). "The Success of 'Multo' is an Emotional Shift for Cup of Joe". Rolling Stone Philippines. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ Saulog, Gabriel (September 16, 2024). "Cup Of Joe Summon The Ghosts Of Their Past On New Single "Multo" – Listen". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on April 19, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ "#MetroBeats: A Track-By-Track Review of Cup of Joe's Silakbo". Metroscene. January 17, 2025. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ a b Glorioso, Nica (April 10, 2025). "All The 'Multo' Edits Are Telling Us We're All Hopeless Yearners At Heart". Nylon Manila. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ Saulog, Gabriel (April 16, 2025). "Cup of Joe Break Into The Billboard Global 200 With "Multo"". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ a b Saulog, Gabriel (April 16, 2025). "Cup of Joe's "Multo" Is No. 1 On The Philippines Hot 100". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ Sabio, Nikka (April 15, 2025). "Enchong Dee joins Cup of Joe's 'Multo' trend with Erich Gonzales". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on April 22, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ "Billboard Global 200: Week of April 26, 2025". Billboard. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ "The Official Philippine Chart - Week 15". Official SEA Charts. April 16, 2025. Retrieved April 16, 2025 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Top Philippine Songs (Week of April 19, 2025)". Billboard Philippines. April 16, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ "This Week's Official UAE Chart Top 20: from 04/11/2025 to 04/17/2025". The Official Mena Chart. April 24, 2025. Archived from the original on April 24, 2025. Retrieved April 24, 2025.