BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Kiana V, the Filipina R&B songstress, returns with her latest single, “Sana”, a soulful track that pays homage to her musical roots. Sampling the classic ballad “Sana Maulit Muli”, a hit by her father, Filipino-Puerto Rican music icon Gary Valenciano, the song is a heartfelt ode to love and second chances.

Written by her father and mother, Angeli Pangilinan, “Sana” blends the universal theme of longing with Kiana’s signature style, seamlessly weaving Tagalog and English into a lush, R&B-driven soundscape. Released on her mother’s birthday, and announced on her father’s birthday, this personal connection adds layers of depth and emotion to the song, making it a powerful testament to family, love, and reconciliation.

Critics have been quick to praise Kiana’s latest work. NME lauded the track’s “multi-tracked vocal harmonies” that soar above the production, while Complex UK highlighted the “snappy production” paired with her “dreamy vocals,” calling it a “seductive jam” that is both laid-back and infectious.

Lyrical Lemonade described Kiana’s unique ability to blend “electronic, funk, and R&B into a mesmerizing mix,” while Ones To Watch emphasized her “enthralling vocal prowess,” comparing the listening experience to an “almost celestial high.” The track is a perfect blend of soul and subtle electronic pop, according to HYPEBAE, with Kiana’s raw talent shining through in every note.

“Sana” offers more than just a beautifully crafted sound; it delivers a message of self-love and empowerment. MTV referred to it as “an empowering heartbreak anthem” for the new generation, while SPIN praised its “delicate, ethereal melodies” that thread together a profound message of self-worth.

Paper Magazine captured the essence of the track as “an open love letter,” with Kiana vulnerably expressing the complexities of moving through heartbreak and hopefulness.

The emotional depth of the song is reflected in its lyrics, with Kiana singing, “So I’ma dip / Shoulda known / You could stay / I’ma go / We’ve been doing it your way for too long.” The rawness of these lines underscores the conflicting emotions of letting go and longing for what once was.

Kiana explained, “Sana is a song for and about all the ones that got away. It’s about acknowledging that while you wouldn’t change the past, you can’t take this person with you into the future.” 

As Kiana continues to carve out her place in the global R&B scene, she is working on a full-length project set to release in early 2025. Drawing comparisons to the immediacy of Tinashe and the melodic prowess of Aaliyah, Kiana V has emerged as a powerhouse in her own right, with a quiet intensity that strikes deep into the hearts of her listeners.

As American Songwriter noted, Kiana is part of a new wave of Filipino creators who are sharing their music and culture through innovative, genre-bending lenses, and with “Sana”, she proves once again that she is an artist on the rise.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Careless Music