Rivermaya’s new song “Casino” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. It is the Filipino alternative rock band’s first single since “#SBN”, which was released in 2018.

Formed in 1994, Rivermaya currently has three members namely Nathan Azarcon, 47, Mark Escueta, 46, and Mike Elgar, 45. Escueta is the lead vocalist and drummer while both Azarcon and Elgar are vocalists and guitarists.

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Blending post-punk and alternative rock influences with 1980s dance grooves, “Casino” is an upbeat number that deals with a love affair that instantly blossomed into a serendipitous, all-in romance. According to Escueta, it is the first Rivermaya track with a four-on-the-floor feel all throughout.

According to Escueta, the chorus, lyrics and melody of “Casino” were written before the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The song was recently reworked when he saw the file in his Google Docs.

“It was just a matter of looking for chords that fit the melody,” Escueta shared. “Once I had a rough arrangement down, with just drums, keys and chorus vocals, I started writing the verses around the story.”

Escueta mixed and co-produced “Casino” with musician-friend Paulo Zarate on Studio Z in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. Elgar recorded his guitar tracks at home while Azarcon went back and forth with the remaining elements of the song. 

Born through online collaboration and never jammed in one space, “Casino” sets the tone for what is to come on Rivermaya’s future music-making endeavors. The iconic band is targeting to finish an album’s worth of songs.

“It’s been 5 years so we really miss putting out new music,” Escueta shared. “It looks like we are gonna be able to do this a lot more often this year.” 

The release of “Casino” comes with a music video that features two strangers who met and connected in a speakeasy bar and danced the night away like it was their last. Watch it here: