Ben&Ben's new song 'The Ones We Once Loved' is about the things left unsaid in breakups

Ben&Ben knows exactly what strings to pull to create that emotional, achingly beautiful song.

Their latest international single, "The Ones We Once Loved," not only talks about reminiscing how painful it was to leave or be left behind but also concludes forgiveness and finally letting go.

"It's a song that owns up to one's faults, makes proper apologies, but also expresses hurt, as breakups are often two-way things," Ben&Ben's Paolo Benjamin said during an exclusive media preview on Tuesday.

Following Paolo's statement on the song's inspiration was his admission that it was also based on the band members' personal experiences.

Backed by rich but sparsely layered instrumentation, the chorus of "The Ones We Once Loved" completely captures what some of us are often too afraid or unprepared to say after a difficult breakup.

It also encourages listeners to take responsibility in making amends with themselves and the person on the other end of the grieving process.

Produced by Johnoy Danao, who is one of Ben&Ben's dear mentors, and Jean Paul Verona, the song is a different take on Ben&Ben's instrumentality because unlike their previous hits, which usually start with the drums or the bass, "The Ones We Once Love" begins with a piano.

"He [Johnoy] really helped us give this song a fresh take compared to the usual songs we recorded before," Ben&Ben's Poch Barretto told GMA News Online.

Keeping the song arrangement light on instruments but strong on the vocals, the nine-piece folk-pop band could only hope that their new song would emphasize the themes of letting go and forgiveness.

"Even though the song is like that, nakakaiyak siya, uplifting 'yung vibe in a sense na may hope siya," Poch said.

"The Ones We Once Loved" serves as Ben&Ben's official single in support of their Philippine send-off concert and North America/Canada Tour in 2022.

Previously, Ben&Ben collaborated with Indonesian singer Pamungkas for the English translation of their song "Paninindigan Kita." —JCB, GMA News