The Good In The Unknown: Clara Benin On Her Upcoming EP And Letting Love Lead Her

More often than not, there is beauty to be found in the unexpected. Just ask Clara Benin.

In shaping her two latest singles, “muscle memory” and “the one to blame,” the Filipino singer-songwriter found herself embracing the unfamiliar, having opened up to new collaborative experiences for the former and letting the life-changing effects of love naturally lead her for the latter. And in the face of what she never thought possible, both musically and personally, came two new compositions that speak to who Clara is now as an artist: still true to herself but so much more evolved.

And with a brand new EP on the horizon, Clara is ready to showcase this more different side to her musicality — one where she finds herself fully diving into the best parts of her artistry unlike ever before. This, while holding onto the eternal hope that each song she puts out can make others feel more seen and less alone.

And so, with this, Billboard Philippines caught up with Clara Benin to discuss the creation of both “muscle memory” and “the one to blame,” what makes her upcoming EP different but the same, being cheesy and in love, the greatest lesson she’s learned in the past ten years of professionally pursuing music, and more.

Billboard Philippines: 2025 was another major year in your music career. On top of gigs and collaboration songs, you not only released your second album, befriending my tears, on vinyl but also celebrated the tenth anniversaries of your debut album Human Eyes and debut EP Riverchild with a special two-night concert in October.

So, to start, how does 2026 feel like for you so far, especially after such a special year you had in 2025?

Clara Benin: ​​2025 was really special for me. It was like really one for the books. I think, during the preparation of my concert, the tenth year anniversary concert with the orchestra, I felt really inspired to write. Like, I was writing so much new music. So, yeah, I’ve finished recording all of the songs that I’d written from that time and I’m excited to put them out one by one this year.

“the one to blame” was actually one of the songs that I finished writing during that time.

Speaking of new music, you kicked off the year on a strong note by releasing two new singles in the span of two weeks. The first of these was “muscle memory” — a song you’ve had in the drafts since 2024.

What was it like bringing the song to life, especially since it was made in Sydney and with producers you’ve never met before?

Ang saya (So fun)! I kind of wrote “muscle memory” just for fun. It was kind of like a random concept I had in mind and I was playing with my guitar and then, I kind of liked how I wrote the chorus. So, I recorded it on my phone. That’s kind of just how it started. I was just like, “Oh, this is a fun chord progression.” And I really liked the melody. So, that’s kind of how it started. And I didn’t really take it seriously. It was just for fun. 

And then I think it was a year after or like, I think a couple of months after, I went to Sydney and then I had this opportunity to write with producers there. And I was just really nervous. I didn’t want to go into the studio empty-handed. And I kind of know myself when I’m in a new environment, I kind of get too shy and shut down. And I didn’t want that to happen, of course (chuckles). So, I wanted to come into the studio prepared. So, in the studio, I had that voice memo that I found and I presented it to them. I was like, “Hey, I have this unfinished song. Why don’t we finish it here?” And that’s kind of how it started. So, yeah, it was fun because I just wanted to write a fun pop song with them. Nothing too serious.

I’ve done so many collaborations in the past ten years with different kinds of people and different genres. That’s something that was never in my to-do list but It would just happen and it would always turn out to be a really fun and pleasant surprise for me.

The second of the singles you put out was “the one to blame.” You released it just in time for Valentine’s Day this year, making it a perfect song to celebrate love.

Tell us what led to the creation of the track, especially since you mentioned yourself that it differs from many of your other songs that are often inspired by “heartbreak, longing, or overthinking everything.” 

Well, I think I just wanted to write something light naman (for a change). I think love songs are the hardest to write, for me. Because, you know, I’m so used to writing sad songs. I think sadness is just easier to, like, dissect and turn into poetry. And with love songs, I feel like everything about love has already been said. And every metaphor has already been used. Every time I would try to write a love song, it would feel too redundant or cheesy for me. And, I think, one day I just realized that I have to write about my personal experience about love. I didn’t want to write a generic love song. So, “the one to blame” is unique. It’s very personal to me. It’s based on my personal experiences and how falling in love and staying in love has affected me.

I think it’s kind of like me making fun of myself (chuckles). Like, “Haha, you’re in love. You’re clingy and cheesy.” I think that’s something I never expected from myself. I’m also not the touchy, cheesy type of person. But yeah, you know, love can change that. Yuck (laughs).

Following these two singles, you’re also set to come out with a brand new EP sometime later this year.

With that, what is something new or different about this EP that excites you the most that you can’t wait for the rest of the world to finally hear?

What can I say? I think this EP feels a lot softer and more intimate than anything I’ve done before. It’s a lot more stripped back and very vulnerable. I think it shows a different side of me. Like, that’s always been there, but I feel like I’m fully leaning into it right now, which I haven’t done in the past. 

Over the years, you’ve incorporated uniquely different sounds in your music and have explored various introspective and emotive themes in your lyrics.

So, in the present, how does this upcoming EP best represent who you are now as an artist? 

Again, I think this EP is a lot more intimate and softer. I guess it also shows how much I’ve evolved while staying true to my sound, if that makes sense. I think I’ve always had a very intimate sound, but now, I feel like I’m fully leaning into it more.

On a related note, what sort of first impression do you hope it leaves behind on those who listen to the songs for the first time?

I feel like I always say this with everything I release. But I always hope that the people feel seen and that they feel heard in the lyrics. I hope that it helps them. So, I hope that they feel seen and heard in the new songs that I’m putting out. Because writing these songs have made me feel seen and heard. I hope that they feel the way I felt when I was writing the songs and making them.

On the topic of growth, you’ve been doing music professionally for over ten years now and it’s not uncommon to hear people say that you and your songs have inspired them creatively in one way or another.

During those past ten years, what is the most important lesson you’ve learned that you believe aspiring artists of today should know? 

That’s a good question. I think, just stay true to yourself, to your sound, and also to your instincts and your intuition. Just stay true to your sound and just trust that it will bring you to where you’re supposed to be.

Listen to Clara Benin’s “muscle memory” and “the one to blame” below: