YARA steps into R&B/hip-hop territory with sultry banger “Sabi Ko Na”

YARA steps boldly into a new era with a new sound that fuses Y2K nostalgia with modern hip-hop and R&B flavor. This time, the Filipino girl group leans into urban music with an unmistakably Pinoy flair, as evident in “Sabi Ko Na,” composed by JRoa and produced by Yung Bawal.

Characterized by lush melodies, hook-laden beats, and Darkchild-style atmospherics, the song finds YARA at their most confident—delivering attitude and sonic sophistication in equal measure.

Reintroducing themselves as a force in the Filipino R&B/hip-hop realm, YARA trades polished pop for a more sultry, expressive sound.

“This song was heavily inspired by 2000s R&B, expressing raw emotions as they are—no deep words, no hidden meanings, just pure feeling,” the group shares. “We also wanted to highlight the unpleasant emotions, as they, too, are a part of us and shape who we are.”

For this new sonic revamp, YARA enlisted the expertise of award-winning producer, songwriter, and recording artist JRoa, who crafted an effortlessly smooth, soul-infused anthem about love, deception, and the unnecessary baggage that comes with it. Although YARA wasn’t directly involved in the songwriting process, their synergy with JRoa was spot on. “One of the most memorable moments during recording was the pep talk he gave that day,” recalls the four-member act. ‘It really showed his passion and, of course, inspired us to keep pushing for what we love. Every time he demonstrated how to sing a line, we couldn't help but be in awe. We were fangirling the entire time, but we had to snap back to reality and focus on channeling that energy into a performance. 

The result is a captivating mix of past and present—a song that honors classic R&B elements while redefining YARA’s musical identity. With Yung Bawal’s moody, after-hours production setting the stage, “Sabi Ko Na” succeeds in reclaiming the Filipino girl group’s space where they can truly shine. 

“It’s not always easy to admit to yourself that someone special has fooled you, so we hope this song serves as both a reminder and a source of comfort—because, let’s be real, it’s a canon event,” the charismatic quartet reflects. “Kidding aside, we just want to be part of someone’s moving-on journey, and hopefully, this song helps them heal in the end.”

Earlier this week, YARA sparked intrigue with a social media blackout, signaling a pivot in their influence style not just for this particular release, but also for their overall sound and artist positioning moving forward. This move set the stage for the launch of “Sabi Ko Na,” a track that reintroduces the group as the next movers and shakers in the local R&B/hip-hop scene. Taking creative direction into their own hands, YARA delivers a bold and infectious banger that is rife with so much promise. “You can definitely expect more of this sound,” the group explains. “We had the best time creating Sabi Ko Na, and we can’t wait for you to enjoy it as much as we did.”

YARA’s “Sabi Ko Na” is now available on digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch out for the track’s lyric video, which will be released today at 6 pm on their official YouTube channel. 

The music video will also premiere on April 11 at 6 pm via the group’s official YouTube channel