It’s been quite a while (four years, to be exact) since we last witnessed The Ransom Collective light up the local music scene with their vibrant indie-folk sound. But no matter how much time may pass, the six-member band will always find a way to create art that speaks to them—a message that they aren’t afraid to uphold in their new single, “Tongue Tied.”
Photo: The Ransom Collective
The feel-good, bossa nova-infused track marks The Ransom Collective’s latest release since “3 AM” in 2022.
The band, made up of vocalist Kian Ransom, keyboardist Lily Gonzales, violinist Muriel Gonzales, bassist Lea Halili, drummer Redd Claudio, and percussionist Jermaine “Jerms” Choa Peck, takes pride in the song’s key theme of embracing your lovestruck emotions despite their intensity and messiness.
Most fans might dub “Tongue Tied” as a comeback song—a refreshing addition to The Ransom Collective’s discography that had been over four years in the making. But this isn’t just a much-awaited return for the band. It’s a homecoming that single-handedly brought them back to their shared passion for storytelling that never fully left to begin with.
There are many ways in which “Tongue Tied” symbolizes the love we experience extensively through our everyday conversations. If there’s one thing The Ransom Collective wants us to learn through this sentimental single, it’s that there’s no harm in being human, especially towards the creative outlets that make life worth living.
How “Tongue Tied” Came to Be
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“Tongue Tied” has been brewing in The Ransom Collective’s chamber of projects for years before they put it out to the world on March 6, 2026. Even throughout their four-year hiatus, they never lost sight of the song’s progress, which gave them something to come home to as soon as they reunited.
“We were initially unsure of where the song would go. It’s a pretty different style, more jazzy and bossa nova-esque, but we still found a way to pull it into our indie-folk sound,” Kian shared at the media roundtable for “Tongue Tied.” The band seldom sings about love, crushes, and admiration, but they were more than happy to explore the topics when they performed their new single at a wedding and a prom night before its release.
Though the pandemic and other unfavorable circumstances posed obstacles for The Ransom Collective’s artistic journey, they’ve always had faith in their labors of love, and “Tongue Tied” is no exception.
“We just enjoy making music that we all like. Even though years have passed, our honesty still reflects in our creative process,” Muriel explained. “After taking on various individual ventures, then coming back as a group, we’ve fostered a safe space to be ourselves. We haven’t been actively writing as much as a band yet, but whenever we get together, we pick things up from where we left off.”
Support has been the foundation of The Ransom Collective’s latest endeavors as a band. It stems from the kind words and gestures that radiated from the members as they explored different artistic avenues over their break. They’ve poured the same positivity into “Tongue Tied,” creating a “snapshot” of their memories together that they’ll always hold close to their hearts.
“Our mindsets as artists will continue to evolve. Nothing is set in stone,” Lily said, appreciative of the valuable insights she has gained with her bandmates since they began making music in 2014. “We’re not full-time musicians anymore, so we have more freedom now. There’s less pressure towards what we write, too.”
A Love Letter to Fans, Old and New
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Besides their personal perspectives, The Ransom Collective wrote and recorded “Tongue Tied” with their long-time fans in mind. It’s safe to say they’ve gained many more with the single’s truthful notions on love.
It doesn’t take much for listeners to understand “Tongue Tied” at its core, which is why Kian wanted to connect with fans through its message. “The song is simple, but full of intrigue and longing towards whoever you associate it with. We want fans to explore these feelings—on crushes, first loves, and long-term relationships—the same way the song has always resonated with us.”
Original Pilipino Music (OPM) has remarkably shifted since The Ransom Collective’s humble beginnings over a decade ago. While numerous new faces and genres have emerged in the industry, the band’s nostalgia has fondly remained, holding the door open for fans of all ages to appreciate their uplifting signature sound.
Words of Wisdom For Emerging OPM Artists
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The Ransom Collective isn’t in a rush to jump to their next milestone. There haven’t been any talks of an upcoming album yet, but the band looks forward to witnessing how “Tongue Tied” will pan out in the months to come. They’ve also been taking time to process all the love for their new song, especially in the dynamic new market for Filipino music.
Finding your footing in the OPM industry, especially for singer-songwriters on the rise, requires tons of dedication, discipline, and familiarity with your craft. Still, The Ransom Collective firmly believes that you can accomplish all of this and more with the right support system by your side.
“Don’t be afraid to make friends at local gigs,” the band advised, emphasizing the vital role of community in creatives’ careers. “Once you find the right balance between work and play, you’ll find your tribe in no time.”
There’s no telling when or where The Ransom Collective will sing their hearts out next. But if “Tongue Tied” is any indicator, we’d like to think we still have many exciting stories to tune in to from the band about love, life, and everything in between.
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What do you think of The Ransom Collective’s latest single, “Tongue Tied?” Let us know in the comments below!
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