The nine piece collective sure knows how to capture words all of us have on the tip of our tongues. A true talent of channeling feelings of listeners into concrete messages connecting us into a one long hem of feelings. Not long since the hip beat of ‘Upuan’ has intoxicated our young hearts, Ben&Ben didn’t falter in changing the beat to a slower ballad with new track ‘Magpahinga‘
“It’s a song that reminds us to check up on ourselves and address our own inner struggles,” lead vocalist and guitarist Paolo Benjamin points out in a statement. “But also, it is a song that aims to accompany the listener, and remind them that in those moments of hardship, they are not alone.” With the comforting guidance of a friend, the band reminds everyone to be kind to themselves. It’s fine to breathe once in a while to collect ourselves, heal; find the inner peace and eventually get back on our feet.
Written by Miguel and Paolo Benjamin, and produced by JP Verona with the band, “Magpahinga” was recorded in the house where the band is currently staying. The remote place has a beautiful baby grand piano, which keyboardist Patricia Lasaten used as an instrument to complement the band’s introspective lyrics.
Percussionist Andrew de Pano takes pride in how everything came together beautifully to convey a sense of cinematic earnestness. “The piano helped give the song a nostalgic texture, magnified further by Pat’s emotional performance. The sound design elements were added in by our lead guitarist Poch, using a unique instrument called a Seaboard. These bass and pad sounds definitely helped widen the soundscape and set it apart from our past ‘stripped-down’ releases.”
Perfect for a well deserved alone time over a book, or coffee. ‘Magpahinga‘ an introspective ballad equipped with compassion, bundled with words of encouragement that surely all of us needs in time of such confusion amidst the pandemic. It’s alright to be not OK.
“We wanted to make sure that above all else, the message of the song stands out,” lead vocalist and guitarist Miguel Benjamin adds. “The piano, violin, and pads are all present to reinforce the melody and support the emotion that the lyrics holds. We hope that the listener feels the song as much as if it were their own experience.”
With pass 500K views on Youtube, the released lyric video not only serenades good compassionate words but also flooded with comments full of encouragement by co-Liwanag fans and netizens offering kind wisdoms to those who will read.
Catch it on repeat on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music.
Also catch their first virtual concert for the year on May 22, details here on this separate article:
