Wake Up City – Area Five

As a taste maker, I listen to hundreds of songs a day. You may think that it’s the greatest job in the world, but it’s not. This is because you are going to have to listen to a plethora of genres and styles, and it could get overwhelming. This is why I came up with a “Ten – Sixty Rule” (yup, you read it here first) to filter music easier. So if a song can cradle my ears for the first ten seconds and make it till sixty, then that song is a keeper. Writing a song is not an easy task, as you have to cram your own art in less than 4 or 5 minutes. So if a song can capture my attention in 10 seconds, a minute, and until it ends, then that song is worth listening to and is a definite playlist highlight. I found that song this week, and it’s called “Wake up city” by an Indie band called “Area Five”.

I am a fan of subtle intros and verses, hooky choruses, and a good climax to a perfect ending. This is my own standard to a good story-telling, and inevitably good music. “Wake up city” fits the criteria of good music very well. The moment the chorus-powered guitars come in with the smooth vocals singing the first verse, you will be glued until the end. I find the arrangement of the song is a breath of fresh air, since it breaks through the norm of songwriting. The first verse is divided into two parts by an instrumental, then moves to a pre-chorus before heading to the chorus. Verse 2 is similar to the first verse, but shorter by 2 bars before the pre and main chorus comes in. A four-bar bridge comes next, then a guitar solo, then a chorus tuned up by half a step to end it all. It’s crazy, unorthodox, but it amazingly works!

The song has a lot of layers, and is not only limited to how it was written. The vibe, the musicality, and the message glues it all together. A whole page isn’t enough to describe the song, so you’ll have to listen to it to find out what I am rambling about. Musical styles can be subjective, but I can assure you that this song is worth listening to no matter what genre you are in to!

Area Five is a 4-piece Indie band from the Philippines. Four childhood friends expressing all sorts of experiences through their music. Give them some love and follow them on their socials!

You can learn more about Area Five here:

About the Curator - Nik Abat

Nik is an Engineer, an Indie Artist, and a Music Producer from the Philippines. He fell in love with Music when he learned how to play the guitar and started to write songs when he was 11. He sings and plays all the instruments on all the tracks he produces. His music revolves around the Alternative Rock genre (slightly favoring a more "movie soundtrack" vibe, with the occasional ambient sounds, synths, and screams/growls on the side), mixed with new elements as he loves to experiment with sound.

He wears a mask and never shows his face to his audience, as he believes that you need not a face to make a difference. He is an advocate of Indie Music, and constantly promotes Indie Artists in the Philippines. He is always down to collaborate, and can be reached via Spotify, Instagram, and Facebook.

https://linktr.ee/nikabatmusic