P-pop boy group 1621 is pressing reset.

On March 14, the group launched their third extended play 1621: BEGIN  in Pasay City, marking what the members describe as both a reintroduction and a fresh chapter for the group as they continue forward as a five-member act composed of JM, JC, Win, Migz, and DJ. 

But beyond the performances and fan interactions, the message behind BEGIN was clear. For 1621, this EP represents a restart, one grounded in rediscovering the sound that first resonated with listeners.

According to member JC, the group intentionally leaned into nostalgia when shaping the project’s musical direction.

“Uso po kasi yung 10 year nostalgic era, so we’re starting a nostalgic type of boy group naman ngayon,” he said during the press conference.

For the group, nostalgia is not just a trend. It is also a return to the sound that helped define their identity early on. The five-track EP draws heavily from the sonic DNA of their breakout track “Bababa.”

“As per request ng mga Guardians (their fandom), ng mga listeners, talaga pong ginawa naming mas “Bababa” na tong EP na ’to,” JC explained. “If na-LSS kayo dun sa “Bababa,” marami na pong ‘Bababa’-type songs yung EP namin.”

Member JM added that the group intentionally aimed for a more cohesive listening experience this time around. 

“Itong BEGIN kasi kapag pinakinggan mo, parang cohesive siya na talagang sound ng 1621,” JM said. “Yun siguro yung learnings namin from previous EPs. Mas dito na sound [kami] mas tinatangkilik.”

While the EP revisits the group’s signature style, the members emphasize that their perspective as artists has evolved. Three years after first forming through a reality show, they say the journey, and the challenges along the way, have made them more confident in who they are as performers.

“Siguro mas mature na kami,” JM shared. “Mas alam na namin kung ano yung sound ng music na bagay sa amin. At this third EP, as a group mas confident na po kami to present our group sa mga audience.”

That sense of growth is also reflected in the themes explored across the EP’s five tracks, which range from first crushes to emotional uncertainty and heartbreak. Songs like “Oh, Ano?” and “Lulaley” capture the familiar highs and lows of young love while keeping the upbeat, nostalgic feel that the group wants to bring back into the P-pop space.

Each member has their own favorite track from the record. JC gravitated toward “Lulaley” for its nostalgic feel, while Migz prefers the laidback vibe of “Orasan.” JM says “Oh, Ano?” immediately stood out to him when he first heard the demo, often replaying it during long trips.

For Win and DJ, the standout is “Ikaw Lang,” a cutesy love song written by the same songwriter behind “Bababa.”

Yet perhaps the biggest story behind BEGIN is not just the music itself, but the circumstances surrounding the group’s restart.

Over the past years, 1621 has gone through lineup changes and industry challenges, something the members openly acknowledge shaped their mindset heading into this new era.

“Siguro yung naging challenges namin na [nabawasan], mas naging reason po yun to start stronger,” JC shared. “We wanna prove them na 1621 is still 1621 with or without anyone of us.”

Rather than dwelling on the changes, the group says they used the experience as motivation to strengthen their bond. Preparing for the EP launch even meant spending months together away from their families to focus on rehearsals and production.

Since January, the members say they have been fully immersed in preparing for their comeback show, determined to deliver something meaningful for their supporters.

In the process, they also discovered something deeper about their identity as a group.

“Mas naging positive yung mindset namin this time,” they said. “Mas naging stronger po yung relationship namin kasi mas kinilala namin kung ano yung gusto namin as a group and as individuals.”

Ultimately, the goal of 1621: BEGIN goes beyond simply releasing new music. For the members, it is about giving listeners a chance to rediscover who they are.

Win summed up the group’s hopes moving forward.

“We’re all manifesting po this time na sana hindi lang yung song yung makilala sa amin,” he said. “Sana bigyan kami ng time ng mga casuals na pakinggan talaga kung ano yung sound ng 1621.”

“Kasi kagaya nga ng sinabi ko, we have grown, we have fallen, and now we begin again as 1621.”

With 1621: BEGIN now available on major streaming platforms, the group is inviting both longtime Guardians and new listeners to witness this restart and perhaps rediscover the nostalgic charm of a classic boy group sound along the way.