Leaves (Reimagined): Ben&Ben Grows Up

Nine years after “Leaves” first came out, Ben&Ben has released a new version of the song. “Leaves (Reimagined)” is out on all digital platforms worldwide through Sony Music Entertainment, with added orchestral elements layered against the band’s original arrangement.

A Different Vantage Point

The original “Leaves” was known for what Speakoutsam called an “unassuming tenderness.” The reimagined version moves from a more mature place, exploring forgiveness, second chances, and what it takes to keep growing alongside the people who matter most.

Nine Years Of Streams, One Live Preview

“Leaves” first came out in 2017 and has drawn hundreds of millions of streams on Spotify since. The song has also caught the attention of international artists, including Young K of South Korean band Day6.

Ahead of the reimagined version’s release, Ben&Ben performed it live at LaLaLa Fest Manila, a recent multi-genre lineup of local and international acts. In a post on X, the band told fans, “We’ve grown older as a band with you, our Liwanag.” They added, in a mix of English and Filipino, that they hope the update mirrors listeners’ own experiences and leads to healing in time.

Orchestral Sound, Lived-In Feeling

Ben&Ben built the new version around orchestral elements layered against the band’s usual arrangement. The band said the goal was to reflect how much more emotionally dynamic life becomes with age, aiming to make quiet moments more nuanced and big moments more emotional, “but in a ‘lived-in’ way.”

Nine Years With Liwanag

The band traced the new lyrics back to its own growth and the growth of its fan community, known as Liwanag, over the nine years since “Leaves” first came out. Ben&Ben said giving someone another chance becomes inevitable in relationships built to last, whether with family, a best friend, or a romantic partner.

A Different Process Than “Lifetime”

Ben&Ben has been here before. “Leaves (Reimagined)” follows “Lifetime (Reimagined),” a previous reimagined release, but the band said revisiting “Leaves” called for a different creative process. Ben&Ben said reworking older material keeps revealing that each song has its own story to tell.

A Big Year, Getting Bigger

The release lands in the middle of a packed year for the band. In June, Ben&Ben was named Duo/Group Artist of the Year at the 17th PMPC Star Awards for Music for its work on “The Traveler Across Dimensions.” The group also received three nominations at the 39th Awit Awards, including Record of the Year, Best Performance by a Group, and Best Pop Recording for “Saranggola.” Ben&Ben heads into “Saranggola: The Concert” at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on October 2.