Filipino singer-songwriter Jolianne reunites with chart-topping R&B star Arthur Nery on their collaborative single “Palayo Sa Mundo” released under Sony Music Entertainment. The smooth yet soulful pop track paints a picture of romantic love that is strong enough to make the world wait.
Marking their second collaboration following “Lullaby,” from Arthur Nery’s 2024 album, II: The Second, “Palayo Sa Mundo” finds the two Bisaya artists seamlessly blending their voices in a tender duet that feels both effortlessly captivating and intimate.
“Working with Arthur came so naturally,” Jolianne shares. “For one, we’re both Bisaya, so that was an effortless connection. Musically, we also speak the same language. We share a lot of the same influences, and we’re both deeply rooted in R&B.”
Written during a songwriting camp with producer Luke April (James Reid, Playertwo), the song evolved from an English concept titled “The World Can Wait” into an emotionally arresting Tagalog piece that pays homage to classic OPM romance.
“Arthur is a real poet,” the rising newcomer recalls. “And he wrote the song so quickly. It felt like a masterclass watching him in his element.”
Arthur Nery reveals that the song wasn’t intentionally written as a love song at first. “Joli wanted a track about self-reflection or identity crisis,” he shares. “The direction of the song changed after I wrote the first two lines. While Luke let us listen to his guitar sample and production, I wrote and arranged the lyrics freely and we just let the song take us to where it is now. It was a fun experience.”
For what it is, “Palayo Sa Mundo” reflects on the bittersweet nature of love that persists even when fate intervenes.
“This song is about that bittersweet feeling of loving somebody you know loves you too,” Jolianne explains. “But sometimes fate has its own plans, and things don’t turn out as we hope. Still, love in its purest form is worth offering, because love isn’t about guarantees. It’s, I love you because I do, not because I expect it back.”
The track’s stripped-down but warm arrangements highlight the duo’s vocal chemistry while retaining the melodic pop appeal of the material.
Jolianne adds, “We paid homage to ‘Lullaby’ by going the acoustic pop route. We wanted something that felt intimate and timeless. When Arthur and I sing together, it’s never a sing-off; it’s a duet.”
Jolianne and Arthur Nery’s “Palayo Sa Mundo” is out now on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Entertainment.
