Sitti shares her unique bossa nova charm through "Contagious"

"Ah bakit Contagious? Gusto namin na people will be infected and then spread [the album]."

That was how Sitti, the "Queen of Bossa Nova," explained the title of her fourth studio album under Warner Music. Lifted from a cut in the 16-track album titled "Promises—A New Day For You," Sitti said the word "contagious" fits what she wants to do: infect listeners with her bossa nova charm.

And why not? Sitti's renditions of 15 contemporary songs by a varying range of artists, including Annie Lennox, Sade, Basia, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and others, are infused with Sitti's signature and unique singing style that takes listeners to a "different plane, different world where only the music exists."

This intimacy with her music earned for Sitti three best-selling albums since her debut in 2006. Café Bossa and My Bossa Nova earned Platinum record awards, while the Christmas record Ngayong Pasko was certified Gold. "Is This Love," the only original song and the carrier single of the fourth album, meanwhile, is doing well in terms of radio airplay.

Sitti, however, said her favorite cut in Contagious is "Adia," popularized by by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan.

"Top of mind ko 'Adia,' e. It's a song of friendship. Friendship na sometimes you fail each other but yet you still believe in the best in the other," Sitti explained.

The song, a haunting and apologetic song about a failed relationship, was also one of the tracks she had a hard time re-imagining.

"Yung mga songs na nagkaroon talaga ako ng second thoughts yung "Do You Really Want To Hurt Me" (Culture Club). 'Adia' rin. Niyu-Youtube kasi namin yung mga kanta habang pinipili namin tapos sabi ko, kaya ko ba ‘yan?" Sitti recalled.

Sitti said she only pulled off the song after forcing herself to feel really sad, and reflecting in a favorite quiet place.

"Nagpakalungkot ako ng todo. Most of the songs that we did parang pang heartbroken, malungkot, there is a certain sadness. Nung mga time nanire-record namin ‘yan nagpupunta ako ng Batangas... nagbi-beach kami," Sitti explained.

But her efforts paid off because "Adia" became the favorite of the album's early buyers, enough for it to become the second single.

Contagious is now available in major record bars nationwide.

TRACK LISTING.

1. Your Love is King
2. How Insensitive
3. Is This Love
4. Adia
5. Chega de Saudade
6. A Certain Sadness
7. So Em Teus Bracos
8. Dindi
9. La La Means I Love You
10. Do You Really Want to Hurt Me
11. No More I Love You's
12. Let Me In
13. Promises—A New Day For You
14. One on One
15. Till There Was You
16. Bossa Nova Baby