Layout by: Edward Tabig
Published by: Shaina Pajarillo
Date Published: November 3, 2025
Time Published: 10:57 AM
Looking for a new playlist to sing your heart out? Maki got the most colorful album just for you.
One of the rising OPM artists, Ralph William Datoon, otherwise known as Maki, took inspiration from the colors of the sky, the grass, and even the sun, as he released his new album named Kolorcoaster, a combination of the words Colors and Rollercoaster.
With 10 songs, including 4 pre-released ones, and a playtime of 30 minutes, the singer took us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions with each song titled after a different color, portraying different depths of feelings through his amazing writing skills and rhythm build-ups. The newly released songs in the album quickly appealed to the masses, garnering the album massive attention and streams on different music platforms.
As Maki prepares his brushes and palette, prepare your ears and playlists as we explore the six newly-released songs in the album, so sit back and relax—and lock in your belts—as we go through the rainbow-filled music ride together.
TURNING GREEN
“Oh, no, I'm turnin' green when I'm missin' you (on my way home).”
First stop, Turning Green. This song is dedicated to the yearners out there. Unexpectedly, this is the complete opposite of what we expect from the color green, which is growth. The song conveys the lingering feelings of what was left behind in a broken relationship—the echoing memories, the burning feelings, and the haunting regrets. This song is a person’s realization that they had mistakes and the person they’re missing is their true forever. It points out the view of a person feeling imprisoned over their own feelings, their hearts that cannot break free of the person who once became their home.
While this song expresses the feeling of entrapment, the next one, in a cooler shade, shows the building up of feelings and anxiety in love, going through uncertainties, and longing.
INDIGO (WITH U)
“I’d trade every moment just to be with you. In this, in this, in this indigo.”
Uncertainty. Mystery. Longing. These are the prominent feelings portrayed in the story of our second stop, Indigo (with u). The song is a love story without labels—a somewhat common situation these days—but a story filled with silences that speaks of tension and thoughts of the other liking you back. This song is a story of someone changing their habits and preferences for that certain person with no clear cause at all; just letting fate take them wherever. This song speaks about a person’s anxiety of being hurt in love, battling against their arising feelings for a certain lover whom they would trade any moment just to be with.
Feeling blue about the meaning behind Indigo (with u)? The next shade may bring comfort—or rather, hurt you more—as it expresses the thought that loving someone is about letting them go to where they feel happier.
NANGUNGULILA
“Nangungulila, ikaw bahala. Wala akong magagawa.”
While the other tracks speak of love holding on, this color-coded song speaks otherwise. Purple, symbolizing high cost, is the color highlighted in this track. This story outlines a person’s deep contemplation on whether to hold on to the love they have built with their lover, or let go of the memories to proceed with their futures alone. Despite the desire to hold on to the intimacy with each other, the cost must be paid; one must let go of their desires and silently accept that love may sometimes be all about letting go.
Moreover, in an interview, Maki explained that this track is all about growth and described love just like a flower—a periwinkle to be specific. Love is just as tender as a flower and when you’re not ready to take care of such tenderness, do not pick it up and allow it to grow alone, even if it means being taken care of by other people. This farewell also becomes a personal growth allowing yourself to outgrow those lingering memories and moving forward with your life.
Vibes getting too heavy? Looks like the clouds are getting darker as we let go of our desires in this track and listen to the next one.
ITIM NA ULAP
“Sana, oh, sana 'di na lang pumuti ang buhok ko. Kung mawawala naman itim na ulap ko.”
Unlike other songs that speak of levels of love, Itim na Ulap highlights the fear of time and the changes it brings to our lives. Black clouds often signal the change from a sunny day to a rainy day is exactly what is being symbolized in this track—the change and loss we have to endure in our lives. Amidst the fear reigning over the vibe of the song, the singer vowed to remain faithful and hold on to these moments like a treasure till the end of time.
Maki also said that he took his cat as the main inspiration for this song. Because there is a lack of songs dedicated to pets, he decided to make one that narrates the lives of pets being short and how saddening that fact can be.
Amidst the fear and loyalty reigning in this song, there’s always a rainbow after the rain. Amidst the fear and longing building up over the past tracks, the next one brings light as it speaks calmly of passion and hope in love.
ABELYANA
"Pasulyap-sulyap mong mata. Ano nga ba tayo talaga?"
Just like its earthy-colored title, Abelyana plants passion and hope to have another glimpse and maybe, a chance with another person. The song tells a story of the singer being caught in glances, tension, and thrill with their lover, hoping that in every moment they have together blooms into something clear, feelings being reciprocated and cleared out, described in the degree of a lens being lower for the view to be clearer. Unlike the other songs in the album, this track approaches the listener by being calmer and hopeful despite the frustration and kilig feelings observed in the lyrics.
The individual tracks are done, and the last one remains. Maki has already led us to the ride of individual colors radiating different feeling and rhythm and now, it is the time to end this album with a colorful bang.
ROYGBIV
“R-O-Y-G-B-I-V. Is this love?”
ROYGBIV. The last track in the Kolorcoaster album tells the story of a true love experienced through a single person. The song expresses the feeling of the full spectrum of emotions in one person—a complex, yet colorful one. With every color discussed in the earlier tracks, the ROYGBIV, summarizes all of that feeling as a journey of someone to their true love; like a puzzle finding its one last piece.
Maki also expressed that the meaning of this particular track is unconditional, allowing its listeners to openly interpret what the song means by themselves. The singer also dedicated his stand on the LGBTQIA+ stating that there is nothing wrong with what they feel as this song is love in its purest form—calm, peaceful, free of judgment, and colorful.
Kolorcoaster is indeed an emotional ride through the highs and lows of love, with each track serving as a stop that expresses its mood in harmony with its colored title. From regrets, longing, and growth, to finally encompassing it all in “ROYGBIV,” the album presents the full spectrum of human emotion—how complex, messy, yet undeniably beautiful it can be. Maki’s heartfelt lyricism and soulful soundscape make each song feel personal, pulling listeners into a rollercoaster of feelings that are all too familiar.
Maki’s debut album has just dropped, and he’s only getting started with Kolorcoaster. With every color highlighted and every feeling described so vividly, listeners can’t help but feel seen, heard, and understood. As we take on this colorful journey through each new track, which one resonated with you the most? Haven’t made up your mind yet? Hit replay, dive deeper, and let Maki guide you once more through this emotional, colorful ride that captures the art of love in its truest form.
REFERENCES:
[1] Alibin, S. J. (2025, October 5). Song diaries: Isang Sakay Sa Bahagharing Pag-ibig ni maki. Explained PH. https://explained.ph/song-diaries-isang-sakay-sa-bahagharing-pag-ibig-ni-maki/
[2] Go, M. (2025, October 3). Maki’s “Kolorcoaster” – an exclusive track-by-track guide. Billboard Philippines - Music Charts, News, Photos & Video. https://billboardphilippines.com/music/features/maki-kolorcoaster-album-track-by-track-guide-meaning-2025/
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