Sandwich Explores the Many Faces of Grief in ‘Nasalanta’

“‘Nasalanta’ is about facing the many versions of yourself when going through grief; the questions you might ask, and the self-doubt that comes naturally with any ending.”

This is how lead guitarist Mong Alcaraz describes Sandwich’s newest offering. And it’s a theme that fits naturally for a band that’s spent more than two decades staying versatile yet relevant.

As part of Sandwich, Mong, lead vocalist Raymund Marasigan, guitarist Diego Castillo, bassist Myrene Academia, and drummer Mike Dizon have made a name for themselves through humorous and inclusive songs often inspired by everyday life.

With “Nasalanta,” penned and arranged by Mong, the group continues to connect with their audience through a more introspective story.

In a press release, Mong (who also takes on vocal duties) reveals that the song’s idea first emerged from the line, “‘di ka pa dumidilat, kung kani-kaninong boses na narinig mo, paulit-ulit.” From there, the song unraveled as a narrative of what it means to process an inevitable, bittersweet part of being alive: grief.

Sonically, the track is experimental. 

Inspired by today’s OPM sound, he says he built the song around layers of synths. Initially, he aimed for something “vaporwave-y” — though the guitars naturally made their way back in. The result, he fondly describes, is a “strange Frankenstein of surface-level late-80s references with side-chained synths.” 

“Nasalanta” is a campy, nostalgic homage as much as it is a vulnerable examination of grief.

Asked where it falls in Sandwich’s catalog, he shares: “So this is really par for the course for us in the sense that yes, nine albums in, we now have a guitar divebomb in the repertoire, wink wink.”

Stream Sandwich’s “Nasalanta” below:

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