Benj Pangilinan confronts self-doubt in new single “Alinlangan”

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The soulful ballad examines his internal struggles in the midst of adolescent love

After releasing compellingly sentimental tunes “Love That’s Rare” and “Nandito Na Ako,” a duet with Angela Ken, here’s another OPM release blending intimate lyrics with soothing, well-crafted arrangements.

Benj Pangilinan bares his soul in the latest single, “Alinlangan,” released under Sony Music Entertainment. The heartfelt, piano-driven ballad expresses the Filipino singer-songwriter’s internal struggle and crippling self-doubt, as he questions the validity of his feelings, thinking that he isn’t deserving of such love.

“The inspiration for the song came from the idea of searching for true love and the emotions that come with it,” shares the promising musician. “The title, Alinlangan was suggested by Jungee Marcelo. It explores the experience of self-doubt, a struggle that many people face and can relate to.”

Co-written with veteran composer Kiko Salazar, “Alinlangan” captures the emotional complexities Benj is still learning to navigate. He adds, “I think my journey is just beginning, and I’m excited to see where it takes me. In terms of what this track represents, I’d rather let the work speak for itself and allow the audience to connect with it in their own way.”

While it might be tempting to view self-doubt as merely a flaw, “Alinlangan” offers a deeper perspective. Benj embraces the judgment he faces from others who know nothing about him, recognizing that such challenges are necessary for emotional growth.

Sonically speaking, the song evolves in an unexpected way, transitioning from a minimalist piano arrangement with subtle instrumentation into a soaring pop anthem as it progresses. Benj explains, “The transitions in the song reflect the escalation of emotions, much like how our thoughts build up, especially when love and self-doubt are involved. The goal of this progression was to capture that emotional journey and the internal struggle that comes with it.”

Benj Pangilinan’s “Alinlangan” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

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Filipino singer-songwriter Benj Pangilinan captures the feeling of youthful excitement on new single “Dance Like You”

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Filipino singer-songwriter Benj Pangilinan expresses the joy of living life with a positive mindset on his new single “Dance Like You,” out today via Sony Music Entertainment.

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The upbeat track encourages listeners to dance their worries away and surrender

 to the beat of a fun, vibrant day

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Encapsulating the essence of youthful excitement in a euphoric, four-minute pop song, the talented newcomer grabs his dancing shoes to sing about seizing the moment with a cheerful disposition in life and love.

"Dance Like You is a song for all ages and all people who just want to have fun and dance,” Pangilinan explains. “I wrote this song a couple of years ago, during the pandemic. I remember just playing the guitar when I suddenly came up with an interesting chord progression. Instantly, I picked up my phone and opened the Voice Memos app. From there, I remember getting this feeling that a song was about to be made.”

Giving listeners a well-needed shot of dopamine, Pangilinan’s catchy new song hits like sunlight passing through a glass window first thing in the morning. It’s a bop that offers a hearty dose of fun and optimism.

According to Benj Pangilinan, he penned “Dance Like You” with the intention of not overthinking the lyrics. The promising young artist made the song with a vision to bridge two generations of music that allow listeners of varying generations to let loose, have fun, and dance.

His frequent collaborator, the Grammy-nominated Xerxes Bakker, produced the track with a timeless, contemporary edge, giving Benj the opportunity to express himself authentically and showcase his vibrant personality.

“Dance Like You” will be part of an EP to be released soon under Sony Music Entertainment. In sharing the details about his highly anticipated debut record, Benj shares in a press statement that the EP is just him “experimenting and figuring out who” he is as an artist. “I'm super excited to share this with all of you. My work has always been a reflection of my journey towards self-discovery. I hope that in some way or another, I’ll be able to inspire people with my songs.”

The infectious track serves as the followup to his first single “Love, That’s Rare,” which he wrote to reflect on the conflicting emotions he was experiencing at the time. Watch the music video here.

Benj Pangilinan’s “Dance Like You” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

Follow him on his socials/digital music platforms:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Spotify

Filipino singer-songwriter Benj Pangilinan drops music video for “Love, That’s Rare”

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Filipino singer-songwriter Benj Pangilinan is the newest recording artist this year to be launched under Sony Music Entertainment—home to some of the biggest acts in the country, including P-Pop royalty SB19 and multi-awarded band Ben&Ben.

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The nostalgic MV was conceptualized by Benj himself and his sister, Hannah

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Serving charismatic flair with undeniable vocal chops, the promising star has shown immense promise with the release of “LOVE, THAT’S RARE.” The track serves as his official single under the international record label, and is co-produced by Grammy-nominated Xerxes Bakker (Imagine Dragons, Snoop Dogg).

The release of the electro-pop ballad is accompanied by a music video directed by Filipino filmmaker Gilb Baldoza, who has done important work for fellow recording artists such as Julie Anne San Jose and Rico Blanco. The main idea behind its visuals was conceived by Benj and his sister Hannah.

“We wanted to try our best to tell a story that made people see a different side of Love and all that it brings,” the alt-pop prodigy explains. “Working with Direk Gilb was super fun. His energy is infectious. I learned so much from him on the process of what it takes to create a short film.”

Despite coming from a lineage of well-respected entertainers, Benj Pangilinan wants to be known for bringing his personal stamp to his own art. Not worried about what other people think, the multi-hyphenate artist is keen on redirecting his focus on making music that represents his own vision.

I'm not trying to impress anyone,” he admits. “I guess I just try to focus on being as authentic as possible to shine His light on others.”

The music video of “LOVE, THAT’S RARE” is out on July 7, 2023 (Friday) at 7pm on YouTube via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch it here.