After five years, OPM’s beloved quartet returns with a song that feels like home, and fans can’t stop crying.
By Dara Clariza Evangelista
In the late 2010s, IV of Spades helped define an era in Filipino music, with the likes of Ben & Ben and Moira sharing their music. As a college student in that age, our playlists were full of their songs. For IVOS, their sharp blend of retro funk, alt-pop, and Manila Sound produced tracks like “Hey Barbara,” “Where Have You Been, My Disco?,” and the immortal “Mundo”, songs that didn’t just dominate the airwaves but shaped a generation.
Then came the split. In 2018, lead vocalist Unique Salonga left the band to pursue a solo career. Two years later, IVOS went on hiatus. Fans were left heartbroken, with no promise of a return, until now.
On July 16, 2025, without a whisper of teaser or press build-up, IV of Spades released “Aura,” a brand-new single, and, to everyone’s shock, it features all four original members: Zild Benitez, Blaster Silonga, Badjao de Castro, and yes, Unique Salonga.
The five-minute track explores themes of longing and unconditional love, its lyrics full of quiet yearning and familiarity. “Kahit minsan’y magulo… yayakapin nang buo,” the chorus goes, a line many fans say mirrors their own feelings about the band’s long-awaited return.
Shot on a hill under a wide blue sky, the accompanying music video shows the four musicians frolicking, laughing, and reconnecting, offering both closure and a new beginning.
While each member built strong solo careers during their break, Zild with Superpower, Blaster with Last Fool Show, Unique with Daisy, and Badjao with the rock supergroup Party Pace, this reunion feels more than nostalgic. “Aura” isn’t just a comeback single; it’s a message. A band that once felt lost to time has chosen to come home.
And judging by the overwhelming fan reactions, they were missed more than they knew.
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