Why MONDO the Band’s Nostalgia-Tinted EP Scratches the ’90s Filipino Rock Itch

I admittedly went in blind listening to Filipino rock stalwart Mondo Castro's new project, which is usually the headspace you need to be at to fully appreciate a new band you didn't really grow up with or got into.

But color me a sucker for overdriven guitars and introspective songwriters who aren't afraid to heavily lean into moodiness and musicians who have an awareness of how grandiose their thesis points can be.

MONDO, the band's self-titled EP, is a pretty rare occurrence creatively for new releases in the local music industry that seems to be leaning into a lot of electronic "indie" pop sheens that a lot of times turn into handicaps on depth and actual appeal to discerning music listeners.

The alt-rock outfit, which is composed of instrumentalists whose cups are overflowing with technical competence and noses for improvisation, wears its influence on its sleeve proudly with influences from the pivotal rock bands such as the Pixies, a lot of sonic stylings from the Foo Fighters, and even the moodiness of bands like Vertical Horizon, the Goo Goo Dolls, and a lot of the seminal hardcore punk bands.

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"Basagin Ang Dilim" fades in into a punk-style intro that immediately tells you all you need to know about Mondo's philosophy about musicianship: soaring guitar lines, tight drum fills, and expansive vocal performances about universal themes about love and bulldozing your way out of the void of hoplessness.

The band channels the mercurial charm of bands like Joy Division and the Clash with other songs like "Stay A Little Longer" and the arpeggiated guitar showcase from LC De Leon on "Larga."

"Breath in The Dark" may be one of the flat-out bangers throughout the whole record. The explosive, Foo Fighters-esque instrumentation coupled with enough negative space in between to let the songwriting unironically "breath" shows that they know a thing or two about pacing and just melting faces off when they need to.

"Kung Kilala" is another exhibition of De Leon's shredding prowess that is an injection of euphoria into your bloodstream.

"I Always End Up Losing You" is one of the more lucid moments on the EP, with the evidently more stripped-back production with just Castro and some synth lines and lightly processed rhythm guitar with enough beefiness to fill in the spaces.

"Stay A Little Longer" is another high point on the record, as the band wears a more 80s new wave hat with the jangly guitars and synths and a track that could definitely be the most radio-friendly or streaming platform repeat-worthy mention.

Being the elder statesman in the music industry, Castro turns in a marvelous effort to bring back a sound unapologetically without turning it into a derivative caricature of that era.

Stream Mondo's latest EP on all major streaming platforms.

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