(L-R) Janine Danielle, EJ De Perio and Sam&Steff headline WATERWALK RECORDS' new releases for the first quarter of 2022 with "Why Do You Love Me", "Buntong Hininga", and "Oh, Your Goodness!" (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/WATERWALK RECORDS) |
WATERWALK RECORDS, a label under Sony Music, focused on bringing fresh Christian music to a new, streaming generation, features faith-based entertainment acts from the Philippines and across the Asian region. Crossing genre and denominational lines with songs that promote spiritual maturity and journey, the Christian record label announces its new music releases for the first quarter of the year.
Sam&Steff, a pop duo composed of Sam and Steff Evangelista, kicks off the trilogy of contemporary worship tunes. The newly formed music act recently wrote the praise anthem ‘Oh, Your Goodness!,’ which expresses “how overwhelmingly sweet it can be to experience what God’s goodness really means.” According to the 19-year-old twins, the track serves as a “battle cry for people who are facing life’s uncertainty, chaos, and confusion, but still managed to hold on to the truth that God is here to stay and won’t ever let us go.” Sam&Steff shares, “It’s a song sung to remind ourselves He holds all things together and He can take what was meant to harm us and turn it for our good.”
Up-and-coming artist Janine Danielle takes music to a more meaningful worship experience in ‘Why Do You Love Me.’ The inspirational ballad was written and composed specifically for her by Spotify Philippines’ most streamed female artist, Moira Dela Torre, and Moira’s husband, award-winning musician Jason Hernandez. “Why Do You Love Me is a song about God’s unconditional love and pursuit,” adds Danielle. “It’s about a kind of love that you could never earn no matter how good you are and a love that you could never lose no matter how messed up you are; A love that constantly pursues and a love that will never leave you restless; A love that’s reassuring. It’ll be always there.” The lyrics were inspired by a conversation between Moira and Danielle about the similarities in their life story. “We both grew up in a broken family and were both raised by strong single moms,” explains Danielle. “Growing up, I had fear of abandonment and rejection. I was trapped in my insecurity of not being good enough. But it was when I encountered God’s love that made me feel safe and secure. I found my identity in Him. He redefined what love meant— a love that is not conditional depending on my performance but a love that will stay through my worst and best.”
Last but certainly not the least, EJ De Perio, releases an ethereal sonic treat that provides an interesting take on a conversation between De Perio and God, the creation and the Creator. Known for his work as a promising singer-songwriter with mellow folk and pop sensibilities, EJ De Perio wrote ‘Buntong Hininga’ based on his own dream. “Nanaginip ako (I have dreamed) where I felt like falling and falling,” says De Perio. “Takot ako sa dilim (I’m afraid of the dark). Tas hindi ako makagalaw (I can’t even move). But then, I rested and surrendered to my dreams, and I saw stars and heard voices singing in harmony. I woke up crying and wrote everything I felt. It’s like a conversation between God and me. He was just waiting for me to surrender everything or to give up everything and then He took over.”
WATERWALK RECORDS A&R and acclaimed producer Jungee Marcelo takes pride in the latest batch of releases from the music label, as it conveys each singer’s spiritual insights via their respective artistry. Marcelo points out that it has always been the desire of WATERWALK to hone the uniqueness of each artist’s style. “With much consideration to their preferences as music ministers, we welcome all inputs and collaborations to synthesize a gift that we could offer to God as our means of humble service,” shares Marcelo. “As written in 1 Peter 4:10, ‘each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’ We aim to give our very best production masters for the Master.”