Filipino-Australian singer-actor James Reid has officially released “Traffic,” his first single of 2026 under Careless Philippines and Sony Music Entertainment.
“Traffic”
Accompanied by a music video directed by Jonathan Tal Placido of Toothless and creatively directed by Issa Pressman, the visual captures Reid navigating Metro Manila, Philippies’ notorious gridlock. The concept highlights the daily frustrations endured by local commuters and drivers while offering a message of patience as Reid finds calm amidst the city’s standstill roads.
The single serves as Reid’s follow-up to his 2025 track “You Deserve It,” which was featured in Penshoppe’s All Together Now campaign.
Co-written by Reid alongside Luke April and Nhiko Sabiano, the upbeat pop track blends Reid’s international influences with a distinctly local perspective.
“At the time, I wanted to write a song that’s relatable to Filipinos in terms of concept and sound,” Reid explained. “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.”
The track represents a deliberate shift in Reid’s artistic direction, aiming to connect deeply with his home audience while retaining high-level production standards.
“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,” Reid added.
“Traffic” is now available across all major digital streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. The official music video premiered on Reid’s official YouTube channel on March 6, 2026.
James Reid
Reid has built a diverse musical portfolio spanning pop and R&B. His catalog includes two studio albums, multiple extended plays, soundtrack records, a mixtape, and over thirty singles.
In 2011, Reid made his musical debut with the collaborative extended play “We Are Whatever” alongside Bret Jackson following his win on “Pinoy Big Brother”. The former released his self-titled solo EP in 2013, followed by the Gold-certified EP “Reid Alert” in 2015, which yielded hit singles such as “Huwag Ka Nang Humirit” and “Hanap-Hanap”, and gained widespread mainstream musical recognition through soundtrack releases for blockbuster projects like “Diary ng Panget” (“No Erase”) and “On the Wings of Love”.
In 2017, Reid transitioned toward an R&B-focused sound with his debut studio album Palm Dreams, released under Careless. He expanded his international presence with his second studio album “lovescene:” in 2022 and the album “jgh” from 2024 to 2025. Alongside major collaborations with domestic and international artists—such as B.I, JAY B, and Marcus Davis—Reid continues to release standalone singles like “Traffic,” solidifying his position as a prominent figure in contemporary Philippine pop music.
CONAN Daily 