Nextone’s ‘Nagkulang’ turns relationship overthinking into an upbeat track

Rising Filipino pop-rock band NEXTONE has turned the familiar feeling of questioning oneself after a failed relationship into an upbeat new single, “Nagkulang.”

Released under Sony Music Entertainment, the song explores self-doubt and overthinking after a romantic fallout, while taking a more energetic approach to heartbreak through lively rhythms.

For bassist and songwriter Elijah del Rosario, the song’s concept was not something the band had planned from the beginning.

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“Ang funny kasi yung ‘Nagkulang,’ yung latest single namin, isn’t something talaga na napag-isipan namin,” he told reporters during the song’s official launch at a bar in Marikina City.

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Del Rosario explained that the band often starts songs by mumbling words along with melodies. Once they came up with the word “Nagkulang,” they built the song’s story around it.

“Mostly it’s about ‘yung self-doubt sa relationship na nagtapos,” he added. “Parang sinasabotage mo ‘yung sarili mo na ikaw ‘yung may kasalanan kahit wala naman talaga.”

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The band described the song as a tendency to look back on a failed relationship and ask, “May ginawa ba akong mali?”—an experience that can lead to overthinking.

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They said they intentionally made the word “Nagkulang” feel as though it keeps playing inside the listener’s head, with the catchy melody contrasting with the heavy subject matter.

NEXTONE is composed of Elijah, drummer Alean Soto, guitarist Anton Laron, and vocalist Ezekiel del Rosario. Elijah and Ezekiel are brothers. The siblings alongside Laron are music production majors at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde.

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The brothers grew up listening to music from the 1970s through the 1990s, influenced in part by their father, who is a member of retro cover band Kudos Love ‘80s. Their musical references range from Elvis Presley and Apo Hiking Society to the Eraserheads and Itchyworms.

The band has released six singles, including two this year. Its cover of the Smokey Mountain classic “Kailan” reached No. 1 on Magic 89.9’s weekly The Magic Pop 30 chart, while “Sa Iyo” peaked at No. 2. Their “Taft Avenue” also recently entered the chart’s Top 10.

As they establish themselves in the OPM scene, the band hopes to contribute music that speaks to younger listeners.

“Gusto namin talaga ‘yung sound namin makakontribute para sa youth,” Elijah said. “Nothing too serious, pero it’s like having fun.”

The singer-songwriter added the band wants its songs to give young listeners a sense that they are not alone in whatever they may be experiencing.

Despite that, NEXTONE is also open to tackling more socially and politically inclined themes in its music. Elijah revealed that the group has already recorded a demo of a politically-focused song, although it has yet to be released.

Meanwhile, among the band’s dream collaborators are fellow OPM acts Ben&Ben, Zack Tabudlo, and Juan Karlos Labajo.

The group also hopes to perform at major local music events and venues, including Cozy Cove in Baguio, Aurora Fest in Clark, Pampanga, UP Fair and Maskipaps in UP Diliman, and Paskuhan at the University of Santo Tomas.

They said a solo concert is also a goal for the future. “We know our place right now sa industry (starting palang),” Elijah said. “Alam namin na nag-grow pa kami, but hopefully a solo concert in the future.”

For now, the band hopes to release another song before the end of the year—one that will offer a contrast to “Nagkulang” and provide a different sound to close out their 2026 releases.

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NEXTONE’s “Nagkulang” is available on digital music platforms worldwide. /edv