Isapuso

{{Use Philippine English|date=February 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}} {{Infobox album | name = Isapuso | type = studio | artist = Alamat | cover = Isapuso album cover.jpg | border = | alt = Official album cover | released = {{Start date|2023|11|3}} | recorded = | language = {{flatlist| * Bicolano * Cebuano * English * Ilocano * Kalinga * Kapampangan * Tagalog * Tausūg}} | venue = | studio = Studio Z | genre = *Pop *contemporary R&B *hip-hop *disco *funk *city pop *dance-pop *pop ballad *Pinoy pop *Visayan pop | length = {{Duration|m=26|s=15}} | label = Viva | producer = {{flatlist| * Thyro Alfaro * Alas Alvarez * Cursebox (Michael Negapatan) * Johan Gustafson * Jason Paul Laxamana * Ralph Joseph Lim }} | prev_title = Pasulong | next_title = Destino | prev_year = 2022 | next_year = 2025 | year = 2023 | misc = {{Singles | name = Isapuso | type = studio | single1 = Day and Night | single1date = June 14, 2023 | single2 = Walang Hanggan | single2date = August 11, 2023 | single3 = Dagundong | single3date = November 3, 2023 | single4 = Dayang | single4date = March 26, 2024 }} }}

'''''Isapuso''''' ({{Literal translation|Take to Heart}}; stylized as ''IsaPuso''{{Efn|This gives the title a dual meaning. While "isapuso" is a verb meaning "take to heart" in Tagalog, the phrase "isa puso" means "one heart".}}) is the first studio album by the Filipino boy band Alamat. It was released by Viva Records on November 3, 2023, after their first extended play (EP), ''Pasulong'' ({{translation|Forward}}), in 2022. ''Isapuso'' encompasses a range of musical genres, including styles that the group has traditionally employed such as pop and R&B, with new influences such as disco. The album also features several Philippine languages, reinforcing the group's advocacy of cultural and linguistic diversity.

''Isapuso'' received critical acclaim, with most of its tracks appearing on year-end and "best of" lists. The album was also nominated for Album of the Year at the 9th P-pop Music Awards.

==Background and production== The Philippine pop boy band Alamat underwent nine months of training by Viva Records, with creative direction by Ninuno Media. They debuted with the multilingual single, "Kbye" (stylized in all lowercase), on February 14, 2021. In a press release, Ninuno Media emphasized the group's commitment to representing the Philippines' cultural and linguistic diversity.<ref name="mb1">{{Cite web |last=Requintana |first=Robert |date=February 14, 2021 |title=Alamat: When modern pop music merges with PH cultural heritage |url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/02/14/alamat-when-modern-pop-music-merges-with-ph-cultural-heritage/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20241221031230/https://mb.com.ph/2021/02/14/alamat-when-modern-pop-music-merges-with-ph-cultural-heritage/ |archive-date=December 21, 2024 |access-date=December 21, 2024 |website=Manila Bulletin}}</ref> Following the premiere of their singles in 2021 and 2022,<ref name="porque">{{Cite web |first=Allan |last=Policarpio |date=November 13, 2021 |title=Alamat revisits hit Chavacano tune with electronic flourishes |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/426516/alamat-revisits-hit-chavacano-tune-with-electronic-flourishes |website=The Philippine Daily Inquirer |archive-date=December 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20241221041202/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/426516/alamat-revisits-hit-chavacano-tune-with-electronic-flourishes |access-date=December 21, 2024 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="abkd">{{Cite web|title=Mundo Mo Ito: Alamat's ABKD Era Is All About Believing In Yourself And Championing Diversity|url=https://nylonmanila.com/alamat-abkd-first-anniversary-believing-in-yourself-diversity/|website=Nylon Manila|date=March 23, 2022|language=en-US|access-date=March 4, 2022|archive-date=September 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902010730/https://nylonmanila.com/alamat-abkd-first-anniversary-believing-in-yourself-diversity/|url-status=live}}</ref> Alamat released their first EP, ''Pasulong'' ({{translation|Forward}}), in October 2022.<ref name="championing"/> It included tracks such as "Maharani" ({{translation|Queen}}), which ''Nylon Manila'' described as a "career-defining" track.<ref name="eager">{{Cite web | date=April 22, 2024 | url=https://nylonmanila.com/pop-culture/begin-your-journey-with-alamat-with-these-songs/ | title=Eager To Become A Magiliw? Begin Your Journey With ALAMAT With These 9 Songs | first=Nica | last=Glorioso | website=Nylon Manila | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224002723/https://nylonmanila.com/pop-culture/begin-your-journey-with-alamat-with-these-songs/ | archive-date=February 24, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown | access-date=February 25, 2025 }}</ref> In July 2023, Alamat announced at the PPOPCON that they would release their first full-length album ''Isapuso'' in November 2023.<ref name="championing"/><ref name="beat"/> Jason Paul Laxamana, the group's creative director, explained that the album's title was wordplay between the Tagalog{{Efn|Tagalog is mutually intelligible with its standardized, official variety called "Filipino", and the two terms are often used interchangeably.}} words ''isapuso'', meaning "take to heart", and ''isa(ng) puso'', meaning "one heart".<ref name="deal"/>

Production for the eight songs of the album took place within the span of a year altogether. There was no standard procedure for the production of each track on the album. For example, producer Thyro Alfaro sent the demo for "Dagundong" ({{translation|Rumbling}}) to the group. Later, the members simply studied their parts and recorded the song. However, the other tracks entailed different production processes.<ref name="road">{{Cite web | date=November 9, 2023 | url=https://billboardphilippines.com/music/features/alamat-journey-with-modern-day-filipino-anthems-on-the-road-to-a-bayang-magiliw/ | title=Alamat Journey With Modern-Day Filipino Anthems On The Road To A 'Bayang Magiliw' | first=Ratziel | last=San Juan | website=Billboard Philippines | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225014427/https://billboardphilippines.com/music/features/alamat-journey-with-modern-day-filipino-anthems-on-the-road-to-a-bayang-magiliw/ | archive-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown | access-date=February 25, 2025 }}</ref> For instance, the group had total creative freedom on "Noli" ({{translation|Do Not}}).<ref name="heart">{{Cite web | date=November 24, 2023 | url=https://mega-asia.com/lifestyle/culture/p-pop-group-alamat-is-taking-their-identity-and-journey-to-heart/ | title=P-Pop Group ALAMAT is Taking Their Identity and Journey to Heart | first=Chlarine | last=Gianan | website=Mega | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231201042034/https://mega-onemega.com/p-pop-group-alamat-is-taking-their-identity-and-journey-to-heart/ | archive-date=December 1, 2023 | quote=Alas points out, "Sa ginawa naming single na 'Noli,' hinayaan din naman kami na gawin kung anong gusto namin sa music kasi [ilang years na rin kami sa ALAMAT] and siguro [nasasabi] nila na, 'Kaya na nila.'" [Alas points out, "On our single 'Noli', they allowed us to do whatever we wanted with the music because Alamat has been active for a few years and I suppose they said, 'They can do it now.'"]}}</ref> The ''Isapuso'' track was written and arranged by Mo as well as produced, mixed, and mastered by Alas and R-Ji, all of whom are members of Alamat.<ref name="viva">{{Cite web | url=https://vivavicor.com/discography/isapuso-by-alamat/ | title="Isapuso" by ALAMAT | website=Viva Records | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250224210252/https://vivavicor.com/discography/isapuso-by-alamat/ | archive-date=February 24, 2025 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="three2">{{Cite AV media | date=November 21, 2023 | title=ALAMAT - 'Noli' Lyric Video | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YyZCaz-qnw | via=YouTube | publisher=Alamat | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123204030/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YyZCaz-qnw | archive-date=November 23, 2024 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

==Music and lyrics==

{{Multiple images | total_width = 800 | image1 = MataoArtistBass Black 2 tone-rear 2.JPG | direction = horizontal | image2 = Korg Volca Beats 7928.jpg | image3 = Lute (kutyapi), Mindanao, wood, Honolulu Museum of Art.jpg | align = center | image4 = Eight-pitch Angklung, Mitchell Park, Milwaukee.jpg | header = Some of the musical instruments used in the album ''Isapuso'' | image5 = LembeyeLembeyon.jpg | image6 = Bandurria2.JPG | caption1 = Electric guitar ("Noli") | caption2 = Drum machine ("Manila Dreams") | caption3 = ''kudyapi'' ("Day and Night") | caption4 = ''angklung'' ("Day and Night") | caption5 = Violin ("Multo") | caption6 = ''bandurria'' ("Walang Hanggan") }}

''Isapuso'' encompasses a variety of musical genres and Philippine languages. "Dagundong", the album's opening track, is a hip-hop song<ref name="asap">{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2023 |title=Watch: P-pop group Alamat performs 'Dagundong' on 'ASAP Natin 'To' |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/video/entertainment/11/19/23/watch-alamat-performs-dagundong-on-asap-natin-to |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250224000239/https://www.abs-cbn.com/video/entertainment/11/19/23/watch-alamat-performs-dagundong-on-asap-natin-to |archive-date=February 24, 2025 |website=ABS-CBN News |access-date=February 25, 2025 |url-status=live }}</ref> that heavily incorporates bass and rap.<ref name="eager"/> Its choreography has a mix of krumping, the Philippine martial art ''sikaran'', and ''idaw'', an Igorot battle dance.<ref name="deal">{{Cite web | date=September 23, 2024 | url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2023/11/11/2310432/alamat-sealing-deal-p-pop-success | title=Alamat is sealing the deal for P-pop success | first=MJ | last=Marfori | website=Philstar | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250222220250/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2023/11/11/2310432/alamat-sealing-deal-p-pop-success | archive-date=February 22, 2025 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=live }}</ref> The song narrates the Philippines' struggle against imperialism throughout history, from the Spanish occupation to the United States of America's benevolent assimilation of the country.<ref name="dauntless">{{Cite web | first1=Ratziel | last1=San Juan | first2=Gabriel | last2=Saulog | first3=Kara | last3=Angan | first4=Jenny | last4=Fernandez | first5=Bret | last5=Jackson | title=Top Filipino Songs of 2023: Juan Karlos, SB19, Bini, And More | date=December 4, 2023 | url=https://billboardphilippines.com/editorial-picks/best-of/the-top-25-filipino-songs-of-2023-billboard-philippines-staff-picks-sb19-juan-karlos-denise-julia/ | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250225230229/https://billboardphilippines.com/editorial-picks/best-of/the-top-25-filipino-songs-of-2023-billboard-philippines-staff-picks-sb19-juan-karlos-denise-julia/ | archive-date=February 25, 2025 | website=Billboard Philippines | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=live }}</ref> The second track, "Dayang" ({{translation|Princess}}), is a mellow pop song<ref name="eager"/> featuring a mix of Tausūg and Tagalog lyrics. It is about finding love again after experiencing heartbreak.<ref name="stars">{{Cite web | date=March 27, 2024 | url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/3/27/alamat-s-dayang-music-video-stars-viral-exes-from-showtime-839 | title=Alamat's 'Dayang' music video stars viral exes from 'Showtime' | first=April Anne | last=Benjamin | website=ABS-CBN News | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250223030248/https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/2024/3/27/alamat-s-dayang-music-video-stars-viral-exes-from-showtime-839 | archive-date=February 23, 2025 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=live }}</ref> To honor the song's Tausūg essence, the choreography for "Dayang" incorporates dances and martial arts that are native to or commonly practiced in Mindanao, such as the ''pangasik'' (the male equivalent of the ''pangalay'' dance), ''kuntaw'', ''silat'', and ''tariray''.<ref name="deal"/>

The third track, "Noli", is an R&B song with a stop-and-start rhythm, a relaxed tempo, and guitar riffs; its lyrics draw inspiration from the romance between Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra in José Rizal's classic novel ''Noli Me Tángere''. "Manila Dreams", the fourth track, is about people from the provinces pursuing their dreams in Manila, containing elements of retro disco,<ref name="evolution"/><ref name="tomasino"/> funk, and city pop.<ref name="viva"/> It uses programmed drums<ref name="tomasino"/> and features lyrics in Cebuano,{{Efn|also known by its endonym, "Bisaya"}} Waray, Ilocano, Kapampangan, and Bicolano.<ref name="four2">{{Cite AV media | date=December 25, 2023 | title=ALAMAT HANDA 'RAP: 'Manila Dreams' (A Christmas Special) | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFeljgnCn1g | via=YouTube | publisher=Alamat | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908124934/https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=2e6_iZmhVQQwPhsm&v=DFeljgnCn1g&feature=youtu.be | archive-date=September 8, 2024 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> Most of the Alamat members, except for Mo and Jao, contributed lyrics to the song.<ref name="albumcredits"/>

The fifth track, "Day and Night", is a tropical-themed dance-pop<ref name="evolution"/> song about a summer crush. In an interview with the American teen magazine ''Sweety High'', Alamat member Taneo shared, "For 'Day and Night', we wanted to capture that feeling you get when you start getting that butterfly, fuzzy feeling and have that summery crush."<ref name="sweety">{{Cite web | first=Laurianne | last=Ray | date=August 14, 2023 | url=https://www.sweetyhigh.com/read/alamat-day-and-night-walang-hanggan-single-interview-081423 | title=Alamat on Immortalizing Filipino Culture, Their Single 'Day & Night' and Their Upcoming Album | website=Sweety High | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225014427/https://www.sweetyhigh.com/read/alamat-day-and-night-walang-hanggan-single-interview-081423 | archive-date=February 25, 2025 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> "Day and Night" tells the story of a fisherman who forms a connection with a ''magindara'', a mermaid-like sea deity in Bicolano and Visayan mythology.<ref name="adobo">{{Cite web | date=October 16, 2023 | url=https://www.adobomagazine.com/music/how-alamats-p-pop-career-is-a-love-letter-to-filipino-culture/ | title=How Alamat's P-pop career is a love letter to Filipino culture | first=Sam | last=Ledesma | website=Adobo Magazine | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225014428/https://www.adobomagazine.com/music/how-alamats-p-pop-career-is-a-love-letter-to-filipino-culture/ | archive-date=February 25, 2025 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref name="sweety"/> Its lyrics heavily use Cebuano<ref name="essential">{{Cite web | date=September 27, 2023 | url=https://usa.inquirer.net/137327/all-the-essential-alamat-songs-that-show-their-multilingual-identity | title=All the essential Alamat songs that show their multilingual identity | first=Hans | last=Carbonilla | website=The Philippine Daily Inquirer (USA Bureau) | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225014428/https://usa.inquirer.net/137327/all-the-essential-alamat-songs-that-show-their-multilingual-identity | archive-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown | language=en-us | access-date=February 25, 2025 }}</ref> and were co-written by Therese Langit, a famous Visayan pop songwriter.<ref name="adobo"/> The song incorporates traditional Southeast Asian instruments, such as the ''kudyapi'', the two-stringed Philippine boat-lute, and the ''angklung'' and ''bamblong'', types of bamboo-based idiophones found across the Southeast Asian region.<ref name="adobo"/><ref name="culture">{{Cite web | date=June 20, 2023 | url=https://nylonmanila.com/pop-culture/pinoy-culture-references-alamat-day-and-night-music-video/ | title=Jane De Leon And Other Pinoy Culture References in ALAMAT's 'Day and Night' Music Video | first=Acer | last=Batislaong | website=Nylon Manila | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225014428/https://nylonmanila.com/pop-culture/pinoy-culture-references-alamat-day-and-night-music-video/ | archive-date=February 25, 2025 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> The "Woohoo!" in the chorus was intended to evoke the mesmerizing voice of the ''magindara''.<ref name="sweety"/> Alamat member Jao created the song's choreography, incorporating dances from Davao and Bicol.<ref name="culture"/>

"Multo" ({{translation|Ghost}}), the sixth track, is about falling in love with someone who engages in "ghosting"; layers of violin and bass add a macabre touch to the song.<ref name="tomasino"/> The seventh track on the album, "Walang Hanggan" ({{translation|No End}}), is a mid-tempo pop ballad about trying to save a romantic relationship,<ref name="championing">{{Cite web | date=October 26, 2023 | url=https://republicasiamedia.com/future-forward/championing-philippine-culture-a-guide-to-alamat-discography/ | title=Championing Philippine culture: a guide to Alamat discography | first=Joshua | last=Gerona | website=Republic Asia | archive-url=https://archive.today/20250224000447/https://republicasiamedia.com/future-forward/championing-philippine-culture-a-guide-to-alamat-discography/ | archive-date=February 24, 2025 }}</ref> with lyrics in Tagalog. It incorporates the ''bandurria'' in its instrumentals.<ref name="evolution"/> ''Isapuso''<nowiki/>'s closing track, "Dong-Dong-Ay",{{Efn|a melodic phrase with no meaning}} is an acoustic rendition of a Kalinga folk song, aimed towards the Filipino youth.<ref name="tomasino"/>

==Release and artwork== 300px|left|thumb|Alamat performing "Dong-Dong-Ay" in December 2023 On June 14, 2023, Alamat released ''Isapuso''<nowiki/>'s first pre-release single, "Day and Night". Cielo Meneses of ''The Beat Manila'' reported that the song "undeniably" became one of P-pop's standout summer hits, noting that it quickly amassed more than 800,000 streams on Spotify.<ref name="beat">{{Cite web | date=November 12, 2023 | url=https://thebeat.asia/manila/vibe/artists/legendary-how-alamat-is-making-p-pop-history-one-song-at-a-time | title=Legendary: How Alamat is Making P-Pop History One Song at a Time | first=Cielo | last=Meneses | website=The Beat Manila | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225014427/https://thebeat.asia/manila/vibe/artists/legendary-how-alamat-is-making-p-pop-history-one-song-at-a-time | archive-date=February 25, 2025 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> In its music video, Filipino actress Jane de Leon portrays a mermaid-like ''magindara'' who charms the members of Alamat, with both de Leon and the members wearing sustainable indigenous Philippine textiles and items, such as Tboli brass accessories sourced from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)'s Philippine Textile Research Institute.<ref name="culture"/><ref name="inq">{{Cite news |last=Mallorca |first=Hannah |date=June 15, 2023 |title=Watch: Jane De Leon charms P-pop group Alamat in 'Day and Night' music video |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/504639/watch-jane-de-leon-charms-p-pop-group-alamat-in-day-and-night-music-video |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225014427/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/504639/watch-jane-de-leon-charms-p-pop-group-alamat-in-day-and-night-music-video |archive-date=February 25, 2025 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=February 25, 2025 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

Following their album announcement at the PPOPCON in July, the group released "Walang Hanggan" as the next pre-release single.<ref name="championing"/> The music video shows the members going through loss, heartbreak, and other personal or social challenges.<ref name="eager"/> They later posted a series of colorful teasers for the album, which featured illustrations of various things found in Filipino culture, such as the Rizal Monument.<ref name="road"/> The music video for the album's lead single "Dagundong", containing both lyrical and visual references to the Philippine struggle against injustice and oppression,<ref name="eager"/> as well as the full ''Isapuso'' album, were both released on November 3.<ref name="roots">{{Cite web | date=October 31, 2023 | url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/886904/p-pop-group-alamat-embraces-mandirigma-roots-in-dagundong-mv-teaser/story/ | title=P-pop group Alamat embraces 'mandirigma' roots in 'Dagundong' MV teaser | website=GMA News | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250224200238/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/hobbiesandactivities/886904/p-pop-group-alamat-embraces-mandirigma-roots-in-dagundong-mv-teaser/story/ | archive-date=February 24, 2025 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=live }}</ref>

To promote ''Isapuso'', Alamat performed on ''Rappler Live Jam'' on November 11, their second appearance on the news publication's music show that year. On December 31, ''Rappler'' reported that both of the group's performances in 2023 were among the year's most-viewed ''Live Jam'' performances. This also made them the fastest musical act to return to ''Live Jam'' and the only P-pop group to perform twice on the show within the same year.<ref name="jam">{{Cite web | date=December 31, 2023 | url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/live-jam/top-10-most-viewed-rappler-live-jam-episodes-2023/ | title=The top 10 most viewed Rappler Live Jam episodes of 2023 | website=Rappler | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225014429/https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/live-jam/top-10-most-viewed-rappler-live-jam-episodes-2023/ | archive-date=February 25, 2025 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref> In March 2024, the group released a music video for "Dayang" starring Kyosu Guinto and Jaja Disuangco, who had previously gone viral for their participation on the ''It's Showtime'' segment ''EXpecially For You''. It came with a single album, containing two new versions of "Dayang" (acoustic and R&B).<ref name="stars"/> All three versions of "Dayang" simultaneously occupied the top three spots on iTunes Philippines, and the song peaked at number two on Indonesia's version of the chart.<ref name="dayang">{{Cite Instagram | author=Viva Records |user=viva_records | postid=C5BUqP_vgIG |date=March 27, 2024 |title=Dominating iTunes chart! Philippines and Indonesia 🤎 }}</ref>

"Dagundong" was the official theme song of the 2023 superhero film ''Penduko''.<ref name="roots"/> In 2024, the Viva One romantic comedy series ''Chasing in the Wild'' featured "Day and Night" on its soundtrack.<ref name="wild">{{Cite web | date=August 16, 2024 | url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/chasing-in-the-wild-a-viva-one-original-series-soundtrack-ep/1762647261 | title=Chasing In The Wild (A Viva One Original Series Soundtrack) - EP | website=Apple Music | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225014427/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/chasing-in-the-wild-a-viva-one-original-series-soundtrack-ep/1762647261 | archive-date=February 25, 2025 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

==Critical reception== {{Music ratings | width = 20em | rev1 = Rappler | rev1score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="evolution">{{Cite web | first=Joey | last=Dizon | date=November 14, 2023 | url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/alamat-isapuso-review-musical-evolution-hard-to-ignore/ | title=ALAMAT's 'Isapuso' review: Musical evolution that's hard to ignore | website=Rappler | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250121140124/https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/alamat-isapuso-review-musical-evolution-hard-to-ignore/ | archive-date=January 21, 2025 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=live }}</ref> }}

''Isapuso'' received highly favorable reviews from critics, as recognized by CNN Philippines ("the multilingual and multi-ethnic boy band excels in incorporating regional culture with modern hip-hop, electronic, and pop sensibilities as showcased on their critically acclaimed debut album, ''Isapuso''").<ref name="cnn"/>

Joey Dizon of Rappler gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars. In his review, he described ''Isapuso'' as a stronger, more focused release than ''Pasulong''. In his opinion, some of the tracks offered "nothing new[...] sound-wise", such as "Day and Night", the chorus of which reminded him of NSYNC. However, he noted that even when the songs on ''Isapuso'' treaded familiar territory, they were still well-executed. Dizon called "Noli"'s cadence "infectious" and praised "Walang Hanggan" in particular, lauding its "inventive" production and lyrics. He said that the song's melodies and chord structure boasted "sophistication" rarely seen in P-pop. Dizon concluded that the album broadened P-pop's appeal, indicating Alamat's potential to break the mold and capture the attention of listeners who are not fans of the genre.<ref name="evolution"/>

On the other hand, Kurt Alec Mira criticized "Walang Hanggan" for being "formulaic" in his album review, published by ''Tomasino Web''. Mira added that it fell short of its potential emotional depth, unlike "Sa Panaginip Na Lang" ({{translation|Only In Dreams}}), another melancholic ballad that the group had previously released. He found "Day and Night" to be "dazzling" and commended its blend of pop and poetry. He also praised Mo, Tomas, and R-Ji's melismatic vocals in "Dayang", which he regarded as a sequel to "Maharani", deemed "Manila Dreams" effortlessly delightful, and called the simplicity of the final song, "Dong-Dong-Ay", charming. His review of ''Isapuso'' was overall favorable, declaring that "all of the tracks flow logically". Mira concluded that the album was cohesive while being musically diverse.<ref name="tomasino">{{Cite web | date=November 12, 2023 | url=https://tomasinoweb.org/post/1699782536485-48bd17d0-alamat-narrates-the-tales-of-love-and-freedom-in-isapuso | title=Alamat narrates the tales of love and freedom in 'IsaPuso' | first=Kurt Alec | last=Mira | website=Tomasino Web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250224001712/https://tomasinoweb.org/post/1699782536485-48bd17d0-alamat-narrates-the-tales-of-love-and-freedom-in-isapuso | archive-date=February 24, 2025 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

Joshua Gerona, writing for ''Republic Asia'', and Nica Glorioso, writing for ''Nylon Manila'', both regarded "Walang Hanggan" as a showcase for the members' vocal abilities.<ref name="championing"/><ref name="eager"/> Acer Batislaong praised "Day and Night" in a separate feature for ''Nylon Manila''. He wrote that it "embraces the beauty of the Cebuano language", adding that the use of Cebuano provided "an extra touch of romance and allure to the song".<ref name="culture"/>

Ratziel San Juan of ''Billboard Philippines'' wrote that Alamat perfectly embodied their historical concept with "Dagundong"; the track placed in the publication's "The Top 25 Songs of 2023" list.<ref name="dauntless"/> CNN Philippines included "Dayang" in their "24 best Filipino songs of 2023" list, with writer Ian Urrutia hailing the track as "pop perfection" and "a distillation of everything sonically exciting about P-pop in 2023".<ref name="cnn">{{Cite web |first1=Gaby|last1=Gloria |first2=Mariah |last2=Reodica | first3=Ian | last3=Urrutia |first4=Jam | last4=Pascual | first5=Elijah |last5=Pareño |date=December 29, 2023 |title=The 24 Best Filipino Songs of 2023 |url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/entertainment/Music/2023/12/29/best-OPM-songs-of-2023.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230090439/https://www.cnnphilippines.com/life/entertainment/Music/2023/12/29/best-OPM-songs-of-2023.html |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |publisher=CNN Philippines}}</ref> The team of ''One Music Philippines'' included almost all of the ''Isapuso'' tracks, except for "Multo", in their top ten ranking of Alamat's discography, ranging from "Manila Dreams" at number ten to "Day and Night" at number three.<ref name="ten">{{Cite web | date=December 1, 2023 | url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/onemusic/articles-news/onemusicph-onemusicphtop10-alamat-dagundong-newfrontiertheater-dec1-21150 | title=One Music PH Top 10: Alamat | website=One Music Philippines | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250224230206/https://www.abs-cbn.com/onemusic/articles-news/onemusicph-onemusicphtop10-alamat-dagundong-newfrontiertheater-dec1-21150 | archive-date=February 24, 2025 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Accolades== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Organization ! Category ! Nominated work ! Result ! class="unsortable" |{{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |- | rowspan="1" | 2024 | P-pop Music Awards | Album of the Year | ''Isapuso'' | {{nom}} | style="text-align: center;"| <ref>{{Cite web |date=December 3, 2024 |title=PPOP Music Awards 2024: Here's the list of official nominees |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/content/928782/ppop-music-awards-2024-nominees/story/ |access-date=December 3, 2024 |website=GMA News |language=en |archive-date=December 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203031906/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/content/928782/ppop-music-awards-2024-nominees/story/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 29, 2024 |title=Ppop Music Awards 2024: Here's the complete list of winners |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/content/931241/ppop-music-awards-2024-list-of-winners/story/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241229032831/https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/content/931241/ppop-music-awards-2024-list-of-winners/story/ | archive-date=December 29, 2024 |access-date=December 29, 2024 |work=GMA News Online }}</ref> |-

==Track listing== Credits are adapted from Tidal.<ref name="albumcredits">{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2023 |title=IsaPuso / Alamat / Credits - TIDAL |url=https://listen.tidal.com/album/322234953/credits?trackId=322234954 |url-access=subscription |publisher=Tidal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250409202905/https://listen.tidal.com/album/322234953/credits?trackId=322234954 |archive-date=April 9, 2025 |access-date=February 25, 2025 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

{{Track listing | title1 = Dagundong | writer1 = Thyro Alfaro | length1 = 2:30 | title2 = Dayang | writer2 = Sean Cedro | length2 = 3:51 | title3 = Noli | writer3 = Mo Mitchell | length3 = 2:51 | title4 = Manila Dreams | writer4 = Johan Gusaffson, Hugo Andersson, Teodor Dahlbom, Jason Paul Laxamana, Alas Alvarez, R-Ji Lim, Taneo Uyam, Tomas Rodriguez | length4 = 3:38 | title5 = Day and Night | writer5 = Thyro Alfaro, Therese Langit | length5 = 3:24 | title6 = Multo (feat. Cursebox) | writer6 = Blvckroom | length6 = 3:31 | title7 = Walang Hanggan | writer7 = Sean Cedro | length7 = 3:35 | title8 = Dong-Dong-Ay | writer8 = Sean Cedro | length8 = 2:52 | total_length = 26:15 }}

==Personnel== Credits are adapted from Tidal<ref name="albumcredits"/> and music videos.{{Efn|Attributed to multiple sources:<ref name="one2">{{Cite AV media | date=November 3, 2023 | title=ALAMAT - 'Dagundong' (Official M/V) | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0-vKrfFx9Q | via=YouTube | publisher=Alamat | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240824093135/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0-vKrfFx9Q | archive-date=August 24, 2024 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref name="two2">{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WawK3ooD2j8|title=ALAMAT - 'Dayang' (Official M/V)|date=March 26, 2024|publisher=Alamat|via=YouTube|archive-date=November 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241118060728/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WawK3ooD2j8|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="three2">{{Cite AV media | date=November 21, 2023 | title=ALAMAT - 'Noli' Lyric Video | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YyZCaz-qnw | via=YouTube | publisher=Alamat | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123204030/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YyZCaz-qnw | archive-date=November 23, 2024 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref name="four2">{{Cite AV media | date=December 25, 2023 | title=ALAMAT HANDA 'RAP: 'Manila Dreams' (A Christmas Special) | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFeljgnCn1g | via=YouTube | publisher=Alamat | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240908124934/https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=2e6_iZmhVQQwPhsm&v=DFeljgnCn1g&feature=youtu.be | archive-date=September 8, 2024 | access-date=February 25, 2025 | url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref><ref name="five2">{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgrsWlCu4CA|title=Alamat - 'Day And Night' (Official M/V)|date=June 14, 2023|publisher=Alamat|via=YouTube|access-date=June 14, 2023|archive-date=June 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613224218/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgrsWlCu4CA|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="six2">{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iqLrj9ab6g|title= ALAMAT - 'Multo' Lyric Video|date=December 12, 2023|publisher=Alamat|via=YouTube|archive-date=February 25, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250225004942/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iqLrj9ab6g|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="seven2">{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgrsWlCu4CA|title= ALAMAT - 'Walang Hanggan' (Official M/V)|date=August 11, 2023|publisher=Alamat|via=YouTube|archive-date=February 25, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250225011246/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUhE2L1lddY|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="eight2">{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gchff6btFsU|title=ALAMAT - 'Dong-Dong-Ay' Lyric Video|date=November 26, 2023|publisher=Alamat|via=YouTube|archive-date=November 29, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251129120937/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gchff6btFsU|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=February 25, 2025}}</ref>}}

* Alamat – vocals {{small|(all tracks)}} ** Alas Alvarez – producing {{small|(3)}}, mixing {{small|(3, 8)}}, mastering {{small|(3, 8)}}, musical arranging {{small|(3)}} ** Mo Mitchell – vocal arranging {{small|(3)}} ** R-Ji Lim – producing {{small|(3)}} * Thyro Alfaro – composing {{small|(1, 2, 5)}}, producing {{small|(1, 2, 5)}}, mixing {{small|(1, 2, 7)}}, musical arranging {{small|(2, 5)}}, recording {{small|(1, 2, 5)}} * Blvckroom – composing {{small|(6)}} * Sean Cedro – composing {{small|(2, 7, 8)}}, producing {{small|(1)}}, mixing {{small|(2)}} * Cursebox (Michael Negapatan) – producing {{small|(1, 6)}}, musical arranging {{small|(6)}}, mixing {{small|(6)}}, mastering {{small|(6)}} * Jan Fuertez – mastering {{small|(1, 2, 5, 7)}} * Martin Andrew Guevara – recording {{small|(1, 2, 5)}} * The Kennel AB (Hugo Andersson, Teodor Dahlbom, Johan Gusaffson) – composing {{small|(4)}} ** Teodor Dahlbom – musical arranging {{small|(4)}}, mastering {{small|(4)}} ** Johan Gustaffson – producing {{small|(4)}}, musical arranging {{small|(4)}}, mixing {{small|(4)}}, mastering {{small|(4)}} * Therese Langit – composing {{small|(5)}} * Jason Paul Laxamana – producing {{small|(7, 8)}} * Paulo Protacio – musical arranging {{small|(7, 8)}} * Zebedee Zuñiga – vocal arranging {{small|(4, 5, 6, 7, 8)}}

== Notes == {{Notelist}}

== References ==  {{reflist}}

Category:Alamat (group) albums Category:Viva Records (Philippines) albums Category:2023 debut albums