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Filipino singer-songwriter Clara Benin explores the “inner weather of love” in really got me thinking—her latest EP under Sony Music Entertainment.
Pivoting towards delicate soundscapes and lush arrangements, the 6-track release embraces a quieter form of introspection: the sonic treatment, pared down and intimate, leaning towards newfound openness in both sound and storytelling.
“I’ve learned to sit with simplicity and to trust that not every space needs to be filled, that silence and restraint can carry just as much meaning as sound,” Benin explains. “Because of that, I allowed the words and melodies to breathe more, and I think it creates a more intimate listening experience, like you’re just sitting in the moment with me.”
Benin adds that it’s her first time writing a record entirely dedicated to love from a more optimistic perspective. “Having an EP that’s entirely made up of love songs is something new for me. It feels like a different kind of openness and a big part of my growth as a songwriter.”
According to the Parallel Universe act, the EP draws from the duality of rainy days—both simultaneously heavy and comforting—offering solace and refuge amidst the chaos. Produced by Clara Benin and The Ringmaster, the imagery informs the sonic and lyrical foundations of the record, resulting in a heartwarming collection of tunes that doubles as bedroom confessions.
In terms of songwriting, really got me thinking unravels distinctly as an honest reflection of personal growth and creative ingenuousness. Her emotional honesty is matched by intricate sound design, one whose deliberate restraint invites listeners into a shared space of stillness, where words and melodies are given room to breathe.
“I tried to let the songs hold both feelings at once, the same way they exist in real life,” Clara admits. “Some moments feel warm and grounded, while others carry a bit more tension or movement. I didn’t feel the need to resolve that contrast and just to let it exist honestly, because love rarely feels like just one thing.”
The focus track, “wings” encapsulates the recurring theme of the EP, where love is considered both grounding and liberating. Through dynamic shifts in arrangement and vocal delivery, the song evokes the feelings of being simultaneously held and set free: a study in contrast, but one that coexists in peace. “It’s about finding someone who makes you feel safe enough to dream bigger, someone who reminds you of who you can become. So wings became a metaphor for that—for becoming, for growth, and for finally allowing yourself to fly.”
Accompanying the release is an upcoming live show that aims to translate the introspective essence of the EP into an immersive experience. Designed to reflect the record’s emotional landscape, the performance will feature warm, dreamlike visuals and a carefully curated setlist centered on the EP’s six tracks, interwoven with select earlier works.
Clara adds, “We’re expanding them just enough to fill the room without losing their intimacy. My live performances are usually more backing track-heavy, but for this show we’re stripping things down and leaning into more live instrumentation—adding piano, bass, and live backing vocals to keep everything feeling organic. It still feels very personal, just with a bit more warmth and presence.”
Tracklist:
- hmmm
- the one to blame
- tahanan
- cinnamon coffee
- wings (Focus Track)
- you around
Clara Benin’s new EP, ‘really got me thinking’ is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
Catch the ‘really got me thinking’ EP live show, happening on May 16, 2026, at Teatrino, Greenhills with special guests The Ridleys. Tickets are available via Ticketmelon.
