Ben&Ben wades through a bad breakup on angsty rock anthem “Langyang Pag-ibig”

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The song articulates one’s feelings of being betrayed in all its aching messiness and honesty

Ben&Ben chronicles the inevitable disintegration of a romantic relationship on “Langyang Pag-ibig,” their latest single under Sony Music Philippines.

Witnessing how a burning love ultimately ends up in a disaster, the nine-piece Filipino collective writes a song that wades through a bad breakup with the stinging anger of someone struggling to put their life back on track.

Arranged with classic rock bigness and percussive elements, the song packs a devastating punch with a chorus that articulates one’s feelings of being betrayed.

“It's the song where we flexed our musicality the most,” says the acclaimed band. “It's three songs in one song, but it still sounds like one song.”

“Langyang Pag-ibig” is recorded at Spryta Studios, the same place where Ben&Ben recorded the entirety of their multi-platinum debut album, Limasawa Street. It was produced by Ben&Ben and Jean Paul Verona, mixed by Sam Marquez and Verona, and mastered by Leon Zervos.

“We’ve always wanted to make a song with this vibe, and we think the songwriting in itself begged for it,” shares the chart-topping folk-pop group in a statement. “It helped that Jean Paul and Sam were very familiar with the vibe we were going for and that helped create the general mood and sound we wanted for Langyang Pag-ibig.”

According to the band, “Langyang Pag-ibig” was approached in the familiar way their songs were recorded. They jammed it first a couple of times, and arranged it together slowly as if building a house of cards. “We also balanced elements and see how high we could take the themes,” adds the band.

Ben&Ben’s “Langyang Pag-ibig” is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines.

Sponge Cola reveals the inconvenient truth about regret on new single “Laman Ng Panaginip”

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The new single is inspired by the power ballads of the ‘80s and ‘90s

Filipino alternative rock outfit Sponge Cola addresses the truth about regret and longing on their heart-wrenching single “Laman Ng Panaginip”—released via Sony Music Philippines.

Redefining love songs with reckless abandon, the Filipino quartet expresses the complexity of impossible choices in a world that is grounded in the familiar and often neglected reality of prioritizing practicality first before anything else, including love.

“This idea is mentioned concretely in the song almost as blunt exposition,” lead vocalist and guitarist Yael Yuzon stresses. “I really wanted the listener to feel that slab of reality to the face as opposed to something vague and symbolic. No figures of speech here; just feel it and let it all out. It’s the type of material that deserves to be sung out loud in the videoke over drinks with our friends and family for some kind of release.”

According to Yuzon, the song is about a love that never was. “The courage and reckless abandon that goes with singing a power ballad oftentimes come from a place of regret.”

In terms of sonic approach and arrangement, “Laman Ng Panaginip” is inspired by the power ballad movement of the ‘80s and early ‘90s. With guidance from producer Joey Santos of Love One Another Studios, the track delivers another high point in the band’s career with indelible catchiness and impressive musical chops to back it up.

“It's a direct reference to a specific genre and time period that had a very influential impact in our formative years,” guitarist Armo Armovit shares in a statement. “It was recorded in Love One Another with producer Joey Santos making sure each layer of production had meaning and told the story.”

The song’s release is accompanied by an arresting visual helmed by filmmaker Ken Tan. Referencing Armovit, the MV director “did an excellent job in conveying the dream vs reality theme with the most minimal of elements.” The Sponge Cola’s resident guitarist adds, “The dancer, Ysabel Lava, delivered a captivating and emotionally charged performance with every move she choreographed herself.”

“Laman Ng Panaginip” is the fifth single released off their upcoming new album, CLASSIC—to be released sometime this year. The new record will serve as the band’s eighth full-length album, following a string of multiplatinum and critically acclaimed hits that span for more than two decades.

Sponge Cola’s “Laman Ng Panaginip” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Watch the music video here.

Ace Banzuelo conquers the insurmountable with trap-infused pop single “Mayari”

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Manila-based singer-songwriter/producer Ace Banzuelo has captivated music listeners from all over the world with his introspective fusion of electronic, hip-hop, indie, and pop music. His earlier singles “Himala” and “Malayo,” both released in 2020, have amassed a combined 4 million streams on Spotify alone, making him one of the most exciting new solo acts in recent memory.

To add up to his roster of achievements, Ace Banzuelo was also handpicked as part of Spotify Radar’s global emerging artist program for the second year in a row—an impressive feat that allows his music to reach more people outside of the country. “I can't deny the amazing feeling I get when I heard about this,” the 20-year-old artist said. 

“I know this is just the beginning for me as a young musician, but I truly value everyone who supports the music and the Asian scene. With this recognition, I stay committed to my dreams and improving my craft.”

Now heading toward brighter horizons, Ace Banzuelo is ready to conquer the insurmountable with the release of his new single “Mayari” under Sony Music Philippines. According to Banzuelo, the trap-infused synth pop tune was inspired by the goddesses and characters from the Filipino mythology, using it as a metaphorical springboard to essay his personal take on romance, toxic masculinity, and privilege. “The song's approach to the myth discusses how wrong arrogance and privilege is when used as a leverage to attracting someone,” the young hyphenate shares in a statement. “The song questions toxic masculinity in a relationship as it is inspired from the war between the God of the sun, and the Goddess of the moon. In the song, the girl finds interest in one guy, and comfort to another. The main reason for their conflict is miscommunication.”

Written and produced by the artist himself, the song attests to his openness to discuss personal issues from a socially aware lens, cutting out the posturing for a message that is universally relatable and morally responsible. Banzuelo points out, “I'm proud that the combination of my way of storytelling and deep involvement with my art gives my audience a full different experience. I'm continuously growing as an artist, and I'm very, very specific with what I want to create and how it should be presented.”

On a production level, “Mayari” sparkles to life with its amalgam of chillwave textures, ‘80s-sounding synths, hip-hop/R&B verses, and modern trap beats, concocting a version of bedroom pop music that yields ecstatic returns. “Mayari has a very diverse arrangement since it starts with a slow verse, an engaging chorus followed by rap verses and a synth solo,” Banzuelo adds. “I produced the song by using digital vintage synthesizers with modern minimal trap beats on top. I think what makes it contemporary sounding is my way of using consistent modern sonic textures in my songs: a cross between the past and the present, just like how I made the concept of the song's story.”

“Mayari” is the last song off Ace Banzuelo’s thematic streak of melancholic pop tracks—a prologue of some sorts that aims to introduce his work to the general public. When asked about his upcoming plans, the talented young musician is determined to elevate his artistry to an entirely new level on his next era. “I'm very certain that my next project is entirely different, I'm focusing on working on my strengths as an artist and become the instrument instead.”

Ace Banzuelo’s “Mayari” is out now on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines.

We Got tackles romantic relationships gone astray on reggae tune “LDR”

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Eight-piece reggae outfit We Got has finally dropped their new single just in time for summer.

Released under Sony Music Philippines, “LDR” is an easygoing tropical tune that shows how cruel a long-distance affair could be most of the time.

Punctuated by offbeat rhythms, syncopated bass lines, and punchy horns, the song cuts through the emotional core with its realistic take on relationships gone astray.

In a collective statement, We Got shares how “LDR” managed to tackle themes that center on trust, temptation, and eventually, lost love. “We have observed that this situation keeps happening over and over. We made this song not to raise more hurt feelings, but to help them realize that there’s more to life than dwelling on lost relationships.”

“LDR” was produced by Raymund Marasigan, who has worked with the crossover act on numerous occasions, particularly on their previously released tunes “Ligaya,” a cover of The Eraserheads’ beloved ‘90s hit, and “Lihim Na Pagtingin,” an original which has amassed more than a hundred thousand streams on Spotify alone.

The band considers working with the acclaimed rock icon as one of the best things that happened to them individually, and as a band. “From his years of experience in the music industry, he was able to share his techniques to make our songs more unique.”

“LDR” was recorded at Kodama Studios with Shinji Tanaka at the helm of mixing and mastering duties, and Hazel Pascua serving as the track’s sound engineer. It will be part of an upcoming record to be released soon via Sony Music Philippines and Soupstar Music.

We Got’s latest single “LDR” is out now on all digital platforms worldwide.