James Reid’s latest single “Traffic” does exactly what its title suggests — it sits with the frustration of being stuck, then finds a way through it. Released under Careless Philippines and Sony Music Entertainment, the track and its accompanying music video draw directly from the shared misery of Manila’s notoriously gridlocked streets.
The music video, directed by Jonathan Tal Placido of production house Toothless and creative-directed by Issa Pressman, follows James driving through a Metro Manila standstill — visibly drained, but holding on to the idea that the moment will pass.
The song was co-written by James alongside Luke April and Nhiko Sabiano. “It just so happened that we all experienced traffic that day, and it felt like the song wrote itself after we locked in on that idea,” James said.
“Traffic” is his first official single of 2026, following last year’s “You Deserve It,” which appeared in Penshoppe’s All Together Now campaign. The track reflects his ongoing effort to bridge his Western influences with a more grounded, Filipino sound. “We aimed to create a classic upbeat OPM track with a fresh twist — nostalgic at its core, but layered with unique sounds and ear candy to give it a distinct edge,” he added.
“Traffic” is out now on all major streaming platforms. The official music video is available on James Reid’s YouTube channel.
