Filipino artist Jolianne collaborates with Korean producer Ziv on “Kuryente,” a pop soul track that explores the heart-melting feeling of infatuation in its early stages. Co-written by Miguel Benjamin of Ben&Ben as a love letter to his wife, the song was inspired by their intimate anecdotes of static electricity when their hands touch. The track is brought to life through Ziv’s playful production and Jolianne’s glistening interpretation.
“That inspired me to make and produce this playful song about how infatuation and early romance feel,” shares Ziv. “I really wanted to hit the right balance of expressing myself through my musical background. Being Korean yet born here in the Philippines, I wanted to find the right balance of putting both influences into the production, which I feel makes it unique.”
For Jolianne, embracing that feeling meant channeling innocence, excitement, and the thrill of being lit up by someone’s presence. To prepare for the vocal take, Jolianne envisioned herself as the lead in a teleserye, where every glance and touch is charged with meaning. She wanted to interpret the material with the right mix of sweetness, playfulness, and kilig—a uniquely Filipino word that captures the fluttering joy of being overwhelmed by romance.
“Vocally, this was one of the more challenging songs I’ve put out because it pushed me to access my voice differently,” the “Plain Girl” songstress adds. “From a technical standpoint, I experimented extensively with dynamics and registers. And of course, singing in Tagalog also shaped how I sounded here, adding another layer of character to the performance.”
Blending funky pop groove with heart-stopping charisma, “Kuryente” pulls off its tricks by pairing Jolianne’s silky, infectious vocals with Ziv’s soulful and Korean R&B-style production.
Ziv explains, “There’s a blend of ease and tension that I always want to include in my productions. And so the groove, blended with the romantic feel, was what I went for in this arrangement. It was also inspired by many artists and music I’ve been listening to recently.”
Jolianne and Ziv’s “Kuryente” is now available worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment on all digital music platforms.
