Female pop group BINI brings a vibrant and refreshing sound in their diary-inspired extended play (EP) Talaarawan that is set to be released this Friday (March 8), International Women's Day.

Members Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena tackle the youth’s zeitgeist and perspective on friendship, love, and navigating through life in their first all-Tagalog mini-album that features six songs including their new key single “Salamin, Salamin,” “Ang Huling Cha Cha,” “Na Na Nandito Lang,” “Diyan Ka Lang,” and their recent hits “Karera” and “Pantropiko.”

“Very excited kami sa ilalabas namin dahil this will be our first EP. It's called Talaarawan, which means 'diary'. Gusto namin ma-feel ng supporters namin na para nilang kaming diary na puwede nilang pag-share-an about anything kasi gano’n yung bond namin sa Blooms (BINI fandom), namin It’s an open communication,” Jhoanna shared in a sit-down interview with One Music PH.

"Gusto din namin na 'pag marinig nila ang mga songs, mapapaisip sila na parang ganun din ang journey nila," Colet added. "Gusto namin na maging diary din nila ang EP."

"It has six all-Tagalog songs, so talagang gusto naming pagtibayin ang foundation namin dito sa Pinas and ikalat nationwide ang vibes ng songs," Maloi elaborated.

Their biggest pre-"Pantropiko" hit "Na Na Na" and previous 2022 album release Feel Good established the girl group's comfort zone which sonically meant bubblegum catchy-as-hell pop songs with great feels such as "Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi," "Lagi", and "I Feel Good". Image-wise, it meant a pink color-based aesthetic. Subconsciously, the addition of the color or motif of jeans to the pre-established pink aesthetic and the diary theme of the EP may have established more of those very relatable girl-next-door vibes.

"Like what you said na andami naming tinry na different things, different looks, different sounds hanggang sa mahanap namin yung talagang sound ng BINI, said Maloi to One Music PH. "We really are grateful na nahanap na namin ang sound and identity namin as a group, so now we can experiment more and gawan ng ibang flavor so hindi lang siya maging plain na bubblegum pop music, mayroon na kaming confidence na magdagdag ng iba pang ingredients para maging mas masarap siyang pakinggan."

"Nung nag-click ang 'Na Na Na', naging basis na namin siya for our sound moving forward where we can start, then conscious effort na lang na i-try to level up from there," Jhoanna added.

"We also have to people who guide us to thanks," Mikha said. "Our whole team, Star Music, the people who provided and produced songs for us. They really helped us realize what sound is perfect for our voices and for the group. And also to every member in the group, we all have our different colors, but it works because we are all willing to adjust to one another."

The new key track “Salamin, Salamin” produced by Mat Olavides and Bojam of FlipMusic captures the feeling of daydreaming about a brewing crush.

BINI intended to release their highly anticipated EP on International Women’s Day (March 8) to align with their advocacy on women empowerment.

“Our advocacy is also women empowerment. We always want to inspire women, and not just women but we want to make sure that people feel confident in their own skin. That's why I think that March 8 is the perfect date," Mikha shared in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

The group also surprised their fans during the Talaarawan EP media conference held last Wednesday with the announcement of their first solo concert happening on June 28 (Friday) at the New Frontier Theater.

With their bubbly, carefree, and quirky image, the ‘nation’s girl group’ continues to reach new heights as their hit single “Pantropiko” has spawned countless dance videos on TikTok and has earned more than six million streams and has also peaked at #3 on Spotify Philippines Viral Chart and debuted at #38 on Spotify Global Viral Chart. The “Pantropiko” fever has also reached global stars such as Irene of Red Velvet and Ryujin of ITZY who did the dance challenge through a fan’s request in a fan call. They are also on the cover of Spotify’s Viral Hit Philippines which features the most viral tracks in the country.

Grateful and hopeful at the song’s success, Johanna said, “Ni-release namin siya sa month ng November and yung ‘Pantropiko’ pang-summer siya. But we feel like ang perfect nung timing kasi nagto-top siya sa charts while papasok yung summer so hopefully magtuloy-tuloy ito.”

"Hindi namin ine-expect na magiging ganun ka-viral ang 'Pantropiko', Maloi responded to One Music PH's question. "Talagang naging organic ang lahat, ginawa siya ng maraming stars, Tiktokers from around the globe. Anlaki ng effect niya sa BINI and to us individuals. I think one big favorite of ours is yung may lola and apo (Manillenial Lola). And also yung mga parang flash mobs from different schools And of course, the kpop idols...Grabe! And I can't wait what will happe with the other songs."

With the current trajectory that BINI is in, there's no way to go but up for The Nation's Girl Group.

"We are very grateful right now," Mikha said to One Music PH. "Like what Shee said before, naalala ko dati sabi niya mas sanay na kaming hindi nagbu-boom ang songs namin (laughs), we are very surprised right now, that's why we feel so grateful and blessed. That's why we keep reminding ourselves and each othe rto keep our feet on the ground, na hindi lumaki ulo namin, na to always keep humble. And also, we always remind ourselves that we jhave so much to do pa. Like what people say na...

"'Malayo na, pero malayo pa..." the rest of the girls chimed in.

"Wala pa kami sa level na kuntento na kami," Jhoanna added. "And it's a good thing kasi hungry pa kami sa growth..."

"We have just started," Aiah added. "There's still a lot more we can do."

"Andami pa naming gustong ma-achieve, marami pa kaming lugar na gustong mapuntahan, marami ang milestones ang gusto naming makamit and marami pa kaming Blooms na gustong makilala," Maloi said.

"...And more artists to collaborate with." Aiah added.

"Sabi nga nila ang limitations lang namin ay nasa imagination namin. Hangga't nai-imagine siya, kayang maabot," Jhoanna said.

Feel the sweetness of BINI’s EP Talaarawan available on major digital streaming platforms. Get regular updates by following BINI_ph on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok, and subscribing to their official YouTube channel, BINI Official.