Marikina-based singer-songwriter Ashanti Silonga, better known by their stage name SHANNi, has a gift for reviving the past, weaving the evergreen sparkle of Manila Sound into funk-rock grooves and city-pop’s dreamy shimmer. Her fans know her for slow-burning, intimate cuts like “sa panaginip,” “19,” and “Kdrama,” but her latest single, “SSS (stuck song),” cranks up the tempo, finally giving an old live favorite its proper studio moment. Moreover, SHANNi has a way of bottling teenage infatuation in a world where crushes dissolve faster than they ignite. The lyrical contents of “SSS (stuck song)” aren’t necessarily different from her previous single but the chosen sound palette has widened her horizons in production choices for a good reason.
“SSS (stuck song)” doesn’t just nod to the past, but it practically time-warps into it. After releasing three singles that are similar in its dreamy and lush atmosphere the warmth of “SSS (struck song)” is undeniable, built on sing-along piano hooks, slick guitar work, and SHANNi’s effortless vocal runs and glides. It’s fun, infectious, and tailor-made for replay.
But now here come the cons. For one, it leans so hard into retro aesthetics that it risks feeling like a cover of an era, rather than a fresh take on it. Secondly, the nostalgia might be too on the nose when you realize the song doesn’t quite push beyond homage into something truly new. But the promise is clearly there as SHANNi begins to explore genres that can potentially make her explore other tangents in the future.
With that said, SHANNi’s talent isn’t in question. She knows how to write a pop banger, and “SSS (stuck song)” proves she can inject soft rock with color and energy. The bigger question is whether she’ll use her obvious skill to reinvent the sounds she loves, rather than just resurrect them. For now, though, even if the track plays it safe, this latest single is still a damn good time.
