Filipino-Australian singer-actor James Reid has officially dropped “Traffic,” his first release of 2026 under Careless Philippines and Sony Music Entertainment.
Co-written by Reid alongside Luke April and Nhiko Sabiano, the upbeat pop track blends international pop influences with a uniquely local perspective.
“Traffic“
With creative direction by Issa Pressman, Jonathan Tal Placido of Toothless directed the accompanying music video. It portrays Reid stuck in the notorious gridlock of Metro Manila, the national capital region of the Philippines. Capturing the daily frustration shared by local drivers and commuters, the visual ultimately offers a message of patience as Reid finds a sense of calm amid the standstill traffic.
The track marks a deliberate shift in Reid’s artistic approach, aiming to connect deeply with his home audience while keeping production standards high. He explained, “At the time, I wanted to write a song that’s relatable to Filipinos in terms of concept and sound.”
“It just so happened that we all experienced traffic that day, and it felt like the song wrote itself after we locked in on that idea,” Reid continued. “We aimed to create a classic upbeat OPM track with a fresh twist—nostalgic at its core, but layered with unique sounds and ear candy to give it a distinct edge.”
Serving as the follow-up to Reid’s 2025 single “You Deserve It” (featured in Penshoppe’s All Together Now campaign), “Traffic” is available across all major digital streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. The official music video premiered on his YouTube channel on March 6, 2026.
James Reid
James Reid has established a versatile career spanning pop and R&B. His discography includes two studio albums, several extended plays, soundtrack projects, a mixtape, and over 30 singles.
Following Reid’s win on “Pinoy Big Brother”, he first entered the music scene in 2011 with the collaborative EP “We Are Whatever” alongside Bret Jackson. Reid released his self-titled solo debut EP in 2013, followed by the Gold-certified EP “Reid Alert” in 2015, which spawned hit singles like “Huwag Ka Nang Humirit” and “Hanap-Hanap.” His mainstream music breakout was further propelled by soundtrack hits for blockbuster films and series, including “No Erase” (Diary ng Panget) and the theme for “On the Wings of Love”.
In 2017, Reid shifted toward a more R&B-influenced sound with his debut studio album “Palm Dreams”, released under Careless. He expanded his global reach with his second studio album “lovescene:” in 2022 and “jgh” from 2024 to 2025. With collaborations alongside international and local artists such as B.I, JAY B, and Marcus Davis, Reid continues to solidify his role as a leading voice in contemporary Filipino music with singles like “Traffic”.
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