02/05/2026

LYFE SATURDAY | MAY 2, 2026

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Clara Benin explores love in brand new EP F ILIPINO singer-songwriter Clara Benin has released her six-track EP Really Got Me Thinking , moving towards o Six musical tracks that focus more on open, optimistic perspective of romance 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.”

delicate soundscapes and pared down arrangements, with Benin focusing on love from a more open and optimistic perspective. “I’ve learnt 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. 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 said. She shared the EP marks her first time writing a record entirely made up of love songs. “Having an EP that’s entirely made

Produced by Benin and The Ringmaster, the record uses that imagery as a foundation for its sound and lyrics. The songs are built around personal reflection, emotional honesty and restrained arrangements that give the words and melodies space. “I tried to let the songs hold both feelings at once, the same way they exist in real life. 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 carries the

The EP draws from the duality of rainy days, capturing feelings that are heavy and comforting.

becoming, for growth and for finally allowing yourself to fly.” The release will be accompanied by an upcoming live show built around the EP’s six tracks, alongside selected earlier works. The performance will include visuals and a setlist designed to reflect the emotional tone of the record.

EP’s central idea of love as grounding and freeing. Through shifts in arrangement and vocal delivery, the song reflects the feeling of being held while being allowed to grow. “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

Benin’s latest EP explores love from a softer and more optimistic perspective.

Notep’s electronic song on corals, self THAI electronic artiste and environmentalist Notep (Note Panayanggool) has released her new single Radio , an ethereal pop track that serves as the first signal from her upcoming EP Pakarang (the Thai word for coral). It is a six-track exploration of the quiet parallels between coral reefs, the ocean and the human body. “ Radio is about finding the frequency that was always there. Not discovering something new, remembering something you already carry. The ocean and the body are made from the same minerals. They follow the same logic. This project started when I understood that the most radical thing I could do was attune, not resist,” Notep explained. Known for utilising her vocals as an instrument, Notep explores the art of weaving electronic practice with natural soundscape and traditional instruments. Through her A/V (audiovisual) performances and hybrid DJ sets, she crafts an immersive, multi-sensory journey that inspires audiences to explore their inner landscape. The accompanying visual, produced by Notep

Indonesian artiste Keljo’s personal invitation into his music, life story

JAKA R TA-BA S ED musician and singer Keljo has released his debut album Kubuka Pintu (I Open the Door) , where the personal 11-track album serves as an invitation for listeners to get to know Keljo more intimately through music, emotions and an honest creative journey documenting his life since 2021. “ Kubuka Pintu serves as a vessel for me to pour out my heart, talent and the full spectrum of my emotions. The album documents my life and musical journey since 2021 through melodies and lyrics – exploring themes of love, loss, self-reflection and growth,” Keljo explained.

More than just a milestone, Kubuka Pintu is not an endgame but a new starting point for Keljo as he moves forwards with a more mature vision and global ambition in the Indonesian music industry. The album features previously released singles under Ostereo – including Gelora Asmara (Hipdut Version) , Satu Hari Tanpa Kita , Cuma Kamu , Selinganmu and Mungkinkah Kembali (all released in 2025) – combined with Keljo’s latest releases Ya Sudahlah, Kenapa Selalu Aku and Siapa Kamu? . The album also introduces three additional tracks, which are Intro: The Spotlight – an opening piece setting the cinematic tone, Kubuka Pintu – the main focus track and album centrepiece and Maafkan Aku Kasih – a stylish emotional highlight. With a total of 11 tracks, Keljo promises a fresh, cinematic listening experience that feels unlike any other Indonesian release – blending retro-modern aesthetics, grand orchestration and personal storytelling. Musically, Kubuka Pintu carries an 80s-inspired R&B sound with strong band grooves, creating warm, nostalgic and effortlessly groovy atmospheres across the album. Keljo draws inspiration from legendary artistes and composers such as Silk Sonic, Bruno Mars, Erwin Gutawa, Glenn Fredly, Westlife and Brian McKnight – all of whom have shaped his musical taste and artistic vision. Through a retro-modern approach, the album blends classic aesthetics with fresh, contemporary production – showcasing Keljo’s evolution as a songwriter, composer and producer fully involved in every aspect of the album’s creation. The album’s title track and focus song Kubuka Pintu embodies the album’s central theme – opening the door to Keljo’s world, inviting listeners to step i nside his musical and emotional landscape. The track serves as a literal and metaphorical gateway, representing Keljo’s willingness to share his most vulnerable moments and personal growth with the world.

Radio is Notep’s first signal for her touchdown in Thailand’s music scene. and digital artist Cyrus James Khan, was filmed on the open ocean – off Koh Tao Island, Thailand. Notep appears on a traditional Thai long-tail boat in a couture dress designed by Eric Tobua, constructed from reclaimed soda can tops. The skirt and hair details were created by Notep herself, woven from ghost nets and abandoned buoys recovered from the ocean. The imagery is a direct expression of Pakarang’s central philosophy – that what moves through the natural world does not disappear. It changes form. The ocean and the body operate by the same principle. Nothing is lost. Everything becomes. The choice of an Earth Day release is not incidental. Pakarang is a project built on the understanding that the self and the natural world are not separate systems. Coral is the skeleton of the ocean. It is made from the same minerals that form the human body. It carries memory, strength and life – and like the body, like the self, it does not grow under force. It grows through attunement. Built on a foundation of ambient textures and ethereal pop, the EP moves away from the pressure of forced growth, instead finding strength in the slow, resilient rhythms of the natural world. It is an invitation to stop fighting the current and start listening to the structure we already carry within us. In a landscape that rewards noise, Pakarang is Notep’s quiet refusal. It is music designed to move like water around a living structure. Radio is the first signal.

Largely inspired by coral reefs, Pakarang is the essence of listening to what we already have.

Keljo’s latest album invites fans to experience his inner world, where he shares his vulnerability.