Gracenote’s first single, Babaeng Torpe, under their new home, UMG Philippines, strikes a chord with its relatable tale of unspoken affection and fear of losing a close friend. It tells the story of a shy girl who falls in love with someone whom she has a close bond with, but hesitates to openly express her feelings. What complicates matters is that she is sensing mutual affection, but is afraid that confessing might change their dynamic. Now, in the crossroads between timidity and torment, all that the girl can do is to confess her feelings and her next steps through this song.
In an exclusive with One Music PH, frontwoman Eunice Jorge says that, "Ang inspiration behind 'Babaeng Torpe' ia about a girl na nahihirapan i-express ang feelings niya towards someone na nagugustuhan niya. It could be someone who is important to her, puwedeng malapit na kaibigan. Na-inspire akong isulat ang kanta from a female perspective kasi madalas siyang nagagamit sa mga males, so I had an idea to do it mula sa perspective ng babae. Sa panahon kasi ngayon andaming nagbe-break ng norm ng gender. Hindi na weird na babae na ang nanliligaw. Musically I was inspired by The Beatles, I was listening to my Beatles vinyl collection especially yung 'Across the Universe' and mga classic songs. Mayroon akong gustong i-share na kuwento na hindi ko pa nakukuwento before, parang gusto ko lang siyang ikuwento ngayon, I was able to finish the song a few days after a fan of ours passed away. It kind of felt like a divine intervention in a way na from scratch natapos ko agad siya and we wereready to record it agad in less than an hour."
On the music being a return to their pop-rockj roots after dubbling with electro-and synth-informed approach on their most recent releases, bassist Jazz Jorge said that, "Wala naman kaming specific genre na nafi-fixate kami, ginagawa lang namin kung ano yung natural na dumadating sa 'min. Ginagawa namin yung hinahanap ng kanta."
"It's always a new chapter when we release a new song," Eunice added. "Most especially tjjis is a big deal for us as it's our first single under UMG Philippines and EMI Records. Panibagong kuwento, panibagong milestne sa Gracenote. We just want to be unpredictable, gusto namin kahit sarili namin ma-surprise at ma-excite sa ginagawa and kine-create namin. Kaya siguro hindi kami natatakot na mag-risk and mag-isip masyado kung ano ang sound namin."
Drummer EJ Pichay says, "Gusto talaga namin kasama mga listeners namin sa journey namin, that's why we try new flavors. We always do our best in a way."
The band’s lead singer, Eunice Jorge, delivers a heartfelt performance, pouring emotions into her composition. Supported by Jazz Jorge on bass, Tatsi Jamnague on guitars, and EJ Pichay on drums, Gracenote transports you to that time when unspoken love had to prevail. The track's mellow arrangement, a combination of jazz, and rock, with elements of pop, emphasizes the emotion, as well as invites the listener to be more introspective.
"Babaeng Torpe" transcends physical attraction, highlighting the deeper pull of being attracted to one’s presence and personality. This relatable theme makes the track a potential karaoke favorite, either for yourself or dedicated to the one you are longing for.
Comfort or confession? One thing is for sure—Gracenote will not shy away from singing the truth of our hearts.