KC turns songwriter in sophomore album By Leah C. Salterio (The Philippine Star)

By this time, there is really no doubt that KC Concepcion can sing. After her debut outing, a.k.a. Cassandra, turned platinum, KC has proven that she is indeed a chip off the old block.

The 24-year-old KC has proven she could really make a name for herself in this business, rather than get her identity hinged on her famous parents — Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion.

Aside from singing, she has the acting genes to boot, with two box-office film credits and drama guesting stints on television. Her next big screen project will pair her for the first time with Jericho Rosales and she gets to pit acting skills with her dad Gabby.

The pressure of having celebrity parents may have been formidable for KC, but she didn’t buckle on the challenge. She faced everything head on until she was able to gain her own niche in local showbiz.

Her second album under Sony Music is eponymously titled, KC. The CD contains 12 original selections, written by noted local and foreign songwriters.

While other established artists opt to tread the tried-and-tested formula of recording revivals, KC takes the risk of coming out with an all-original CD for her sophomore outing. She is brave enough to show her confidence in every track.

Understandably, KC’s recording label extends its full support to one of its current leading artists. The company enlisted top songwriters and producers to work with KC. The list includes Marvin Querido, Jimmy Bondoc, Louie Ocampo, Jimmy Antiporda, Toto Sorioso, Ferdie Marquez and Jingle Buena.

While her recording debut featured varied musical genres, KC chose to stick to a singular pop sound for her second album. Her voice can be easily distinguished in tracks like Di Bale Na, Breathe You, It’s Been A While and After the End.

“This new album is very different than the first one,” insists KC, whose debut recording was a commercial and critical success. “We were more experimental in the first one because we were testing the waters. But with this new one, it’s more personal. I’d like to think I am more confident recording this new CD, although there was still that nervous feeling every time I sang a track inside the studio.”

This time, however, KC proves she does not only sing. The CD also marks her debut as a songwriter, as she penned three tunes — Magandang Umaga, Takip Silim and Worth the Wait — each of which talks about a different phase in a romance.

The lyrics of Takip Silim alone were enough to make her mom Sharon cry, even before the latter could listen to the actual track, according to KC.

“The songs that I wrote are really something that I’m proud of,” KC allows. “I’m so thankful to Sony for giving me the chance to explore my creative nature in songwriting for my second album.”

The carrier single, Not Like the Movies, has been a certified hit and has become a most requested tune on the airlanes. Even the music video has been gaining heavy play on Myx.

The said track was written by international songwriters Jaye Muller and Ben Patton, who visited Manila in time for KC’s recent album launch held at Hard Rock Café.

With Jinno Mina, KC co-produced four tracks — Hulog, Naantig Ako sa ‘Yo, Girl Most Likely To and Tayo Na.

The CD comes in a special collectors’ item packaging, like a journal where the songs chronicle KC’s life. Complementing this new design is KC’s Bohemian-inspired look in her album cover, as well as the photos in the album in-lay.

“We want the album to come out as free-flowing and honest,” KC says. “I helped in conceptualizing the design, packaging, photos and the over-all look. We really wanted to offer something new and different, something that depicts me as a person and an artist.”

KC has embarked on an extensive mall tour to promote her latest Sony Music album.