Darren is the first studio album by Filipino-Canadian singer Darren Espanto. It was released on December 10, 2014, under MCA Music Inc.[1] It is the most expensive studio album by a Filipino artist.

Darren
Studio album by
ReleasedDecember 10, 2014 (Philippines)
Recorded2014
GenreTeen pop, electropop, R&B, OPM
Length33:17
LabelMCA Music Inc.
ProducerRicky R. Ilacad (exec.) , Keith Martin, Francis Guevarra, Vehnee Saturno, Lucas Rezza and Adrian Rezza
Darren Espanto chronology
Darren
(2014)
Be with Me
(2016)
Singles from Darren
  1. "In Love Ako Sayo"
    Released: November 14, 2014
  2. "Stuck"
    Released: May 11, 2015
  3. "Makin' Moves"
    Released: December 25, 2015

Espanto had a press conference on February 17, 2015, to officially launch his debut album. The album, immediately upon release in the Philippines, debuted at number-one on the Apple's iTunes store and Astro Chart, making Darren the youngest artist in the Philippines to reach the top spot on the chart solo.[2][3] As of August 2015, the album has sold 15,000+ units and is now a certified Platinum.[4]

Recording

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For Darren, Espanto worked with local and international producers and most respected composers. The album features the carrier single “In Love Ako sa ’Yo,” (I'm in Love with You) a Vehnee Saturno composition. The latter contributed three more selections to the album – “My Girl,” “Ewan Ko,” (I Don't Know) and “Ah! Basta Gusto Kita.” (Whatever! That's Why I Like You)

Another local composer Kennard Faraon wrote “Stuck” for the album. The rest of the tracks in “Darren” were penned by foreign composers – Keith Martin and Deon Hairston for “You Are the Only One,” Adrian Rezza, Lucas Rezza and Carvin Winans for “I Believe in Me,” and Fil-Am Brad Go for “Makin’ Moves.” A bonus track in the album is the studio version of Jessie J's “Domino”, which Darren performed during The Voice Kids Philippines’ blind audition

Promotion

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Before the release of the album, Darren had a concert tour in the Philippines and abroad where he performed, "In Love Ako Sayo"(I'm In Love with you). He also performed Stuck and Ewan ko (I don't know) from his self-titled album during his album mall tour in Fisher Mall.[5] A Grand Fans Day has been scheduled on December 21, 2014, at Robinsons Forum where the album will also be promoted. On February 17, 2015, Espanto had a press conference to officially launch his debut album.

Singles

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  • "In Love Ako Sayo" (I'm in Love with You) is the carrier single of the album and premiered on radio stations nationwide on November 14, 2014.[6] It was written by Vehnee Saturno

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."In Love Ako Sa 'Yo"Vehnee SaturnoVehnee Saturno3:53
2."Stuck"Kennard FaraonFrancis Guevarra4:43
3."My Girl"Vehnee SaturnoVehnee Saturno3:36
4."You Are the Only One"Keith Martin, Deon HairstonKeith Martin, Francis Guevarra3:32
5."Ewan Ko"Vehnee SaturnoVehnee Saturno3:34
6."Makin' Moves"Brad GoFrancis Guevarra4:03
7."Ah! Basta Gusto Kita"Vehnee SaturnoVehnee Saturno3:35
8."I Believe In Me"Lucas And Adrian Rezza, Carvin WinansLucas And Adrian Rezza4:25
Total length:31:21
Bonus tracks (deluxe edition)
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
9."Domino" (Original artist: Jessie J)Claude Kelly, Henry Walter, Jessica Cornish, Lukasz Gottwald, Max MartinFrancis Guevarra, Jr.3:58
10."I Believe" (Original artist: Fantasia)Louis Biancaniello, Tamyra Gray, Sam WattersFrancis Guevarra, Jr.5:34
11."Stuck (Remix)"Kennard FaraonFrancis Guevarra; Remixed by Bimbo Yance4:22
Total length:45:10

Certifications

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Country Provider Certification Sales
Philippines PARI Double Platinum[7] (30,000+ copies)

Release history

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Country Date Label Formats
Worldwide December 6, 2014 MCA Music Inc. digital download
Philippines December 10, 2014 CD

References

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  1. ^ "The Voice Kid Runner-up Darren Espanto Gears up for Debut Album | THE DIGITAL SPY". 16 September 2014.
  2. ^ "UMUSIC Philippines on Facebook". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-04-27.[user-generated source]
  3. ^ "Darren's First Solo Album TOPS the Astro Chart! @mjfelipe Year End Artist Darren Espanto | Veooz 360". Archived from the original on 2015-01-26. Retrieved 2015-01-26.
  4. ^ "PARI: Articles".
  5. ^ "Darren Espanto of The Voice Kids Launches His Solo Album "Darren" | Wazzup.PH". www.wazzup.ph. Archived from the original on 2014-12-14.
  6. ^ "- YouTube". YouTube.
  7. ^ "PARI: Articles". www.pari.com.ph. Retrieved 2015-09-13.