Seven years ago, dream pop artist Megumi Acorda quietly released her debut EP, Unexpectedly, on Bandcamp. Produced and recorded with RJ Mabilin at Redverb Studios, the four-track EP arrived in March 2018 like a soft, intimate, and achingly beautiful whisper. What started as a low-key release soon became a game-changer, earning both domestic and international acclaim for its emotional depth and atmospheric brilliance.
While the genre often feels like gazing through a hazy fog, Acorda’s haunting vocal presence cuts through, adding a dreamy clarity that’s impossible to ignore. Her live performances, backed by her full band, have taken the EP’s ethereal sound to new heights, with tours across East Asia, including Mongolia, Hong Kong, China, and Japan.
Acorda, who has made waves as a multi-instrumentalist for bands like The Axel Pinpin Propaganda Machine and The Strange Creatures, stepped into the spotlight with Unexpectedly. Her solo debut at Mow’s in December 2017, alongside acts like The Buildings, Joee & I, and pcastlesss, hinted at the magic to come. When the EP finally dropped, it helped define the sound of dream pop in the local Filipino context.
Unexpectedly is a masterclass in this genre, weaving together lush soundscapes and introspective lyrics. The EP’s four tracks: “Unexpectedly,” “Ghost,” “Aftershow,” and “I’ll Get By” are a seamless journey through longing, memory, and resilience. Acorda’s voice floats effortlessly over shimmering guitars, epic fuzzed-out bass lines, and reverb-drenched keys, creating a sound that’s both ethereal and grounded.
In the post-lockdown Philippine music scene, Unexpectedly became a touchstone for a new wave of dream pop acts: There’s Dumaguete’s UJU and their delay pedal-heavy pop,Bacolod’s &ND and their slow-dance anthems, Cagayan De Oro’s KRNA with their graceful indie rock ballads combining the bright-sounding guitar riffages. Since then, many female-fronted dream pop bands have formed proving that Acorda and her band’s influence is undeniable.
Online fans have turned Unexpectedly into an anthem for yearning. One user on Facebook celebrated the EP’s anniversary with a heartfelt post: “Happy anniversary sa isa sa mga EP na tinuruan ako maging batak sa pag-ye-yearn.” Another person echoed the sentiment, quoting the EP’s closing track: “Happy 7th anniversary, baby! I’ll get by but it wouldn’t be a beautiful life without you.”
The EP’s impact goes beyond its sound. Its cover art has been immortalized on merch, and its songs have inspired countless memes, parodies, and tributes. But what makes Unexpectedly truly timeless is its ability to evoke raw emotion. Making this collection of songs that capture a feeling, a memory, a moment frozen in time.
