The case for BINI is simple: an encapsulation of the confident, modern Filipina girl, rooted in versatility and independence — just like their namesake, the Tagalog word for “young lady” binibini, suggests. Eight girls from across the Philippines were chosen to represent this ideology, which they’ve successfully showcased in stages and arenas around the world. BINI’s infectious bubblegum pop sensibilities have been a hallmark since their pre-debut, and their latest release, FLAMES, takes this a step further.
Inspired by a nostalgic Filipino game of the same name, the seven-track album explores the concepts of friendship, longing, affection, motivation, endearment, and self-discovery — which, uncoincidentally, spells “flames” — through an intentional, youthful lens. It features a harmonious blend of heartfelt lyrics and lush production, packaged in the group’s now signature pop sound that morphs into different genre blends with each track.
A Laidback Kindling
FLAMES opens with BINI’s terms of endearment, which are expressed through the album’s preceding single “First Luv.” The track eases listeners into a world of candy-colored, pastel pop realm with its mid-tempo groove sprinkled with a dash of R&B and trap beats. Seamlessly transitioning between English and Tagalog, the song is a stroll through kilig, or the butterflies in one’s stomach, at the onset of a consuming crush.
“First Luv” becomes the perfect primer for the equally laidback “Sweet Tooth,” which likens affection to addictive candies, from watermelon gum to candy rocks. It’s a straightforward outlook on young love, which, however sweet it may seem to be, might not always be the healthiest. But just like everyone else trying to move on, the girls ask themselves whether they “Wanna get over it / But do I really, really want to?”
The butterfly theme returns with the next track “Paruparo,” which represents self-discovery. On this track, the music takes a turn toward Jersey club beats. This time, however, the multicolored insect is a stand-in for transformation, with lyrics that loosely translate as “Once gray, now vibrant with hue / These colorful wings that I now bear.”
“Infinity” and “Katabi” slow things down with their balladic expressions of friendship and longing, respectively. The former is a sincere, earnest expression of undying loyalty, while the latter encapsulates the yearning heart that every hopeless romantics is too familiar with. These songs peel back the bubblegum layers of the group to reveal something authentically relatable and oddly vulnerable, cementing the album’s ethos.
Fiery Explosions
Drawing from the self-reflective moments set up in the previous three songs, the members’ lyrics slowly become laced with a confident bite as the album progresses — and “Bikini” proves that with its high-octane production and funky edge. With motivation at its heart, the track is BINI’s attempt at a power pop song. The result echoes nostalgic empowerment anthems like Demi Lovato’s “Confident” and Destiny’s Child’s “Survivor” while borrowing some of hip-hop’s lyrical structures. While it’s filled with anodyne clichés like “I came and ate / I don’t leave no crumbs,” the explosive track never lets that become its pitfall, as the girls’ vocal performance and catchy beat carry through to the album’s finale.
“Shagidi” is unique, as it doesn’t correspond to any of the FLAMES pillars individually. Instead, it’s a celebration of all six, the cherry on top of the journey of self-discovery the band travels on through the record. Taking on the phonk beats that songs such as JENNIE’s “like JENNIE” and KATSEYE’s “M.I.A” recently added to the A-pop girl zeitgeist, “Shagidi” slowly builds through a series of energetic chants inspired by another Filipino children’s game aptly called Shagidi Shapopo.
FLAMES marks a new era for BINI, a time where they are ready to blossom into something transcendental — not just sonically, but also through their authentic explorations of identity as young Filipina girls. Slated to take on the Coachella 2026 stage, they’re ready to show the world exactly how they’re going to soar to new heights, proving yet again that there’s a place for Southeast Asian representation in the global eye.
Enter BINI’s fiery playground by listening to their latest album on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube, and follow the girls’ journey on Instagram, X, TikTok, and their official website!
Looking for a preview of what BINI has to offer on stage? Check out our recap of their first San Francisco concert here!
