Nicole Laurel's 'Kiss Me Now' set for September 15 release

A first kiss is rarely ever planned. In a paradisiacal time and place, when emotions are ripe, it just happens.

Multi-talented and multi-awarded artist Nicole Laurel Asensio is all set to unveil her latest single "Kiss Me Now", an original composition that will be available on all digital platforms. 

"I’m usually not the type to let things just happen but perhaps I was missing the thrill of the unknown and I needed a change of environment," Nicole says. "So I hopped on a 3am bus alone to Baguio and booked myself an afternoon session in Openheaven recording studios for the first time. Producer Gabe Dandan, who I had co written with for my previous releases 'Bawal' and 'What Matters Most' was tapering off a Baguio series of gigs and met me at the studio to join in the collaboration. Initially I had planned to work on a different song, award-winning producer Shadiel Chan welcomed us into his studio and introduced me to his band." 

Gabe Dandan shares: “Tobi (Drums) and Brad (Keys) and I begun jamming chords and rhythm as a soundcheck to test the levels and Nicole immediately caught the vibe and extemporaneous lyrics and melodies began to flow from her lips… together the synergy was instant and we decided to make a song out of the free-jam in no time.” 

“’Let’s record it!’ I remember saying,” Nicole says. “I got a couple curious looks at first but insisted on recording. We were done with the entire song structure, lyrics, arrangement and melody in a couple hours. The song unfolded in Shadiel’s patient hands. I laid in some vocals the next day and after a fulfilling evening, boarded the bus home the next day brimming with ideas for more songs." 

"Most our songs usually stem from improv jams but usually just between the two of us, this time it was nice to do improv with an entire band of talented Baguio based musicians," Gabe says. 

Upon returning to Manila, Nicole sent the track to Krina Cayabyab who arranged the beautiful backup vocals performed by premiere jazz group Baihana with additional vocals from Nicole’s mom, Iwi Laurel, and Gabe. 

“I was stunned that this vocal section was comprised of such an all-star cast and that they were willing to join in the extemporaneous fun,” Nicole said. “Michael Guevarra and Gabe recorded a synchronised guitar-sax solo from home. The track was mastered by multi-awarded recording engineer Angee Rozul and Mastered in Abbey Road UK by Alex Gordon.” 

The music video, which was conceptualized by Nicole and Directed by Dominic Dimagmaliw, was shot in the largest mixed media art museum in the country, Art in Island, which features endless opportunities for exploration and discovery across its 15 zones. 

Still from the "Kiss Me Now" music video.

“I didn’t feel like I was shooting a music video, I just allowed myself to freely wander through the otherworldly experience of projections of flora, cityscapes, dreamscapes, seascapes, celestial expanses and much more. The best part is that we could stay freely from opening to closing time and experience art on a different level all while shooting.” 

“Kiss Me Now” mirrors the unscripted nature of a first kiss—the slow, syrupy soulful song describes the urgency of finally giving in to feelings that cannot be held back any more. Nicole’s velvet vocals glide over scales with power, range and stirring sensibilities. The instruments and backup vocal lines play within the textures of gospel and soul influences and showcase flavourful chord choices and rich deep tones—tastefully sealing the song, as the saying goes, with a kiss.