His latest track blends dream pop elements with electronic and R&B edge

Filipino singer-songwriter and producer Ace Banzuelo marks the beginning of a new era with the release of “minsan,” a melancholic track that merges R&B with dream pop influences.

Inspired by personal and common experiences with friends, “minsan” expresses his bouts with betrayal and heartbreak. But this time around, Ace treats confessional woundedness as a form of therapy, a way to protect the remaining dignity that he has in his heart, and a commitment to keep the walls in place, hoping there’s room for restoration in the future.

“Talking about it with friends really helped me heal from what I went through,” shares the Muli hitmaker. “I think the music can speak for itself.”

While the song represents a recurring theme in Ace’s songwriting playbook, the aching ballad resonates with Ace on a more intimate level, delivering a snapshot of a recent event in his life that proved to be a learning experience for him.

“A lot of the lyrics are based on a real-life encounter,” Ace reveals. “A wonderful chunk of my work somehow shares the same DNA as this song. But what makes minsan standout is how it hits the poignant center with a sense of immediacy. I think people who have experienced being cheated on and manipulated by their partners will understand where the pain comes from, lyrically speaking.”

Furnished with subdued, impressionistic details and dreamy vocals, “minsan” reveals that from the emotional ruins emerges a chance to find peace and rebuild one’s sense of self-love.

The song serves as his first single since 2023’s “Pag-ibig (Merun Ba)” and documents his newfound love for dream pop as a genre and musical inspiration. The release of the track highlights a new pivot in Ace’s musical direction as an artist, taking consideration his affinity for non-conventional experimental soundscapes and production style, while retaining a pop-oriented approach towards songwriting.

“Lately, I find myself experimenting with a lot of hazy textures and dream pop elements,” the young recording artist explains. “I remember we pushed for a dream pop/shoegaze gig in my hometown so I can try doing this live and achieve the balance that I want for my sound. It’s new, but at the same time, it’s something that is familiar to what I’m used to doing.”

Ace Banzuelo’s “minsan” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.