Experimental rock outfit Precal Dropouts are back. On July 24, the Davao City-based quartet will release their new EP, The Escapist, marking their first offering since their critically acclaimed debut album, Eagles Shall Prosper—a record that earned a spot on Billboard Philippines’ Best Albums of 2024 and ranked No. 12 on The Flying Lugaw’s Best Releases of 2024.
Comprised of Joshua Gavin Azupardo, Jan “Ian” Mark Gestuveo, Ben Jabez Necosia, and Don Ambross Austria, Precal Dropouts have built a formidable reputation in their hometown’s independent music scene for their adventurous songwriting and wildly unpredictable live performances, where improvisation, intensity, and irreverent humor collide. Onstage, the band thrives on chaos, delivering explosive, immersive sets that blur the line between meticulous musicianship and beautiful noise. Known for pushing the boundaries of noise, shoegaze, and improvisation, the group now turns their restless energy inward with The Escapist, an EP that expands their sonic palette while diving into deeply personal territory.
Blending art rock, post-punk, and alternative rock with influences ranging from Radiohead and Pixies to contemporary experimental acts like black midi and Squid, The Escapist unfolds across three interconnected tracks: “Crestfall / Orkest,” “Latchkey Kid,” and the title track. Together, they explore survival, childhood trauma, self-destruction, and the aching longing for genuine human connection. The journey begins with the desperate hope and bit-crushed textures of “Crestfall / Orkest,” moves through the eerie yet danceable post-punk groove of “Latchkey Kid,” and culminates in the digital disillusionment of “Escapist.” Throughout the record, the band asks why we run from our past, what we leave behind, and what it takes to find our way home.
Recorded at Prekwarto in Davao City and entirely self-produced by the band, the EP is a testament to their collaborative creative process. Azupardo handles vocals, guitars, mandolin, and string arrangements alongside mixing and mastering duties, while Gestuveo contributes guitars, bass, percussion, and samples. Necosia adds bass, guitars, and vocals, with Austria anchoring the project behind the drum kit.
To celebrate the release, Precal Dropouts will headline an EP Release Party on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Suazo Bar in Davao City, joined by fellow local artists Alexandra, Tears Before Bedtime, and Chud Festejo, a night that promises to showcase the vibrant spirit of Davao’s independent music scene. Fans in Northern Mindanao will also get an exclusive first listen during an advance listening party hosted by Indie CDO on Friday, July 24, 2026, at 9:00 PM at Apartment 1 Cafe in Cagayan de Oro City, offering an intimate preview of The Escapist while strengthening the growing connection between the independent music communities of Davao and Cagayan de Oro.
With The Escapist, Precal Dropouts deliver a poignant, sonically adventurous statement that cements their place as one of the most compelling voices in the Philippine underground—and leaves listeners wondering what kind of beautiful chaos they’ll conjure next.
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