Clara Benin on Why It's Harder to Write Happy

Local indie-folk darling Clara Benin has been synonymous with melancholic heart-wrenching acoustic music for the hopeless romantics and those afflicted with the curse of unfortunate timing.

Our first brush with the singer's propensity for peaceful tearjerkers came in the form of "Closure" from he debut album Human Eyes, and eventually culminating in arguably her most emotionally-conflicting single "Wine."

The singer isn't in that place in her life anymore where she can just tap into these weighted feelings that engulf you and that you carry around like a metaphorical backpack of sorrow.

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"wings" off Clara Benin's latest EP

Her latest EP really got me thinking is a departure from the cathartic loneliness she has a knack for expressing as the indie musician gets up close and personal with where she is emotionally in the big 2026, and it may be her biggest creative challenge yet.

"The best love songs have already been written. So the pressure is high. That's why I took a very personal approach — I think that's the best way to write a love song," Benin reflected during a media roundtable at Sony Music Entertainment's office in Ortigas.

"I've been writing all these sad songs for so many years. I wanted to challenge myself."

In her past few records like befriending my tears (2024) and singles like "Parallel Universe" (2019), the singer leaned into more of the devasting parts of yearning for someone and falling victim to the cruel character of timing and inverse serendipity.

Benin embraces a more Roman candle-type of affection resulting in an entire EP dedicated to honest-to-goodness love songs.

The EP also saw production credits from Fran "theRingmaster" Lorenzo and Nick Lazaro to fully flesh out sonic palettes that are made up of open-tuned guitars, dreamy vocal layers, and lush atmospheric embellishments, reminiscent of global folk acts such as Lizzy McAlpine and Bon Iver. We aren't getting anything overproduced or too overbearing here with the instrumentation. It's just a pure openness to being at peace with being a slightly better person than yesterday.

The singer-songwriter is no stranger to writing these kicking your feet type of songs from her usual wallowing in regret-coded cuts. "affable dork" from her latest full-length album is a prime example of Benin gushing over realizing that you have your ideal partner.

really got me thinking also sees her tapping into other fun ways of shaking off heartbreak with the track "muscle memory."

"I wanted to write a fun, sad, heartbreak song. Even when you broke up with someone, they're kind of embedded in your brain and you're just trying so hard to forget them," she said, commenting on the track's conceptualization.

Across the EP, she admitted that the most personal track is the feel good closer "you around."

"My love language is quality time. I wanted to write a song about how being with someone is another way of saying I love you — like, I like having you around," according to Benin.

"You don't have to necessarily be in love or be in a romantic relationship to enjoy a love song. I really want them to feel good."

In case you want to hear this earnest EP in concert, Benin will be holding a live show on May 16 at Teatrino, Greenhills, with special guest The Ridleys. You can nab your tickets here.

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