PLAYERTWO Pivots to Stinkin' Smooth Nostalgic Yearning in 'OTW 2 Stacey'
The alternative hip-hop quintet switches gears from aggressive mix-tape-style rap to some of the smoothest hooks about yearning we've heard all year.
by JV Ordoñez
Published on Sep 28, 2026
There are only a handful of hip-hop groups and even collectives in the Philippines who can pull off records that aren't nauseatingly derivative but versatile enough to stay accessible to most listeners.
PLAYERTWO has been a group that I've been keeping my eye on for quite a bit but, admittedly, only really started digging into when I put together our yearly list of top albums and EPs.
Their direct follow-up to Happy Accidents Vol. 1 came out last year, and it was without a doubt one of the most polished and probably most pedantically produced records that year, with every bar, guitar line, and snare choice hitting hard.
Volume 2 still heavily leaned on this relatively aggressive hip-hop aesthetic that had the smooth R&B lines and hooks playing second fiddle to the quintet's overall sonic signature.
PLAYERTWO's latest EP, OTW 2 Stacey, sees the boys zero in on their romantic tendencies and dial down on the MC hats for the sweeter Brockhampton-esque vocal performances.
'OTW 2 Stacey' Taken Track-by-Track
The EP also throws in a boatload of euphoric and melodic guitar choices that made it clear that this was going to be a very band-focused project.
"OTW," the record's opener, evokes a lot of what Cup of Joe did on Silakbo (which was also on our top albums rundown) and one of the major factors on why it is infectious from the get-go.
It is a very nostalgia-tinged track, even with some 80s yacht rock stylings sprinkled in.
The songwriting here, while it goes for that tried and tested "live fast and die young trope," signals a relaxed and easygoing collection of songs about being in love.
"STACEY," which could be the lead single from this record, revolves around memorable sparkly keyboard progressions and throwback vocal performances that evoke Y2K R&B yearning. This is definitely one of the strongest tracks, and that is so dang catchy.
"LUVSONG," is where they return to their hip-hop roots but with a much sweeter and even "bling-era" type of flow compared to their more abrasive delivery in their last album.
"ALL IN" is the EP's closer that is a dead-ringer for stuff from Dijon's How Do You Feel About Getting Married? or "hunni," more specifically, an underrated record from him. PLAYERTWO knocks it out of the park with a boatload of infectious guitar melodies and soulful vocals from each member.
Esquire PH's resident music scribe, wristwatch disciple, and essayist fluent in niche internet subcultures and Philippine politics.