Ben&Ben has never failed to surprise and amaze their audience. After releasing the music video of a remarkable withstanding flexible love track ‘Nakikinnig Ka Ba Sa Akin,’ and releasing singles that no fan or easy listeners can pass to add on their playlist; Ben&Ben has done it again.
It’s official: Ben&Ben have finally released “Upuan,” the first single off their upcoming sophomore album to be released under Sony Music.
“The palpable romantic tension that arises from friendships that are formed by sitting next to each other, and the adventurous conversations that ensue.” Written in Dumaguete in 2019, Ben&Ben attempted and truly succeeded in bringing out their vision of a young, nostalgic love.
The band points out, “we incorporated a more visual style in the song, painting a picture for the listener and transporting them to that familiar place, of falling in love with someone they just met, whether that is in a classroom, by the beach, at a restaurant.” In its words, Upuan, draws an image in the listeners head a relatable feeling of the first feelings of love back in elementary days.
It helps that they’re painting a picture in the listener’s head with ethereal arrangements and soaring choruses that swirl beautifully against a backdrop of naturalist setting: samples of birds singing, the swoosh of the waves, and even the conversation of the trees. There is magic in the way Ben&Ben fuse all these elements together to create a cinematic landscape punctuated by poetry and inventiveness. It’s effortlessly picturesque, while employing a level of commitment to make the audience feel like they’re part of the experience, as if tapping into something personal and is of utmost importance to their being.
The cinematography of the music video not only shares the nostalgic imagery forming in hand with song, but also gives off that 90’s vibe when most of the school notebook covers sold were celebrities with vibrant tie-dye colors in the background. A perfect fit for the blue school arm chair that all of us has used in grade school. It surely is a blast in the past with all this nostalgic tunes perfect for a night listening vibe.
The band shared that the music of “Upuan” was conceived during a random jamming session with no prior agenda as to how it would sound. “But to our surprise, that first jamming brought about the soul of how Upuan sounds now. The earthy, ethereal soundscapes, and that sense of sonic adventure came from the fact that we just moved in together, and being in a new place surrounded with summer vibes and nature elements, helped shape our expression of our new song. We feel very blessed to be close to nature in this season and it’s almost like a tribute to their beauty that we included them in the song.”
Written and produced by Ben&Ben, co-produced/mixed by Jean Paul Verona, and mastered by Leon Zervos, “Upuan” was recorded in the band’s home studio. Verona and sound engineer Sam Marquez helped in the recording process, giving the song its final touches.
The acclaimed hitmakers are also currently working on their second album. “Since the production of this song, we’re continuously working on all the other songs that will complete it. We’re really pushing forward in terms of experimentation and diversity of sound in the songs.”
Ben&Ben’s “ Upuan ” is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music.
THIS JUST IN:
Listen to their newly released single, ‘Magpahinga‘ on Spotify and Youtube!
