Sam Benwick's HIGHS and lows Made Me Relive Every Crush I've Ever Had

I walked into Sam Benwick's album listening party knowing very little about her. Thirteen days later, I can still remember how some of her songs sound, and I think that says a lot about the kind of songwriter she is. I knew she was a Filipino-British singer-songwriter who had gained popularity through her covers on TikTok, but I wasn't particularly familiar with her original music.

On October 3, 2026, I had the pleasure of attending an intimate listening party at Concept Space MNL in Quezon City, where Sam introduced her 15-track debut album, HIGHS and lows, to members of the media and her supporters, affectionately known as the Samshines. At one point, Sam told her supporters, "You guys have changed my life for the best," and shared that creating this album had been one of the hardest things she'd ever done.

What struck me most about Sam's songwriting was how effortlessly she communicated her emotions. Her songs are simple and easy to understand, and I mean that in the best possible way. I'm at a point in my life where I'm done spending twenty minutes trying to decipher what an artist is trying to say. Sometimes, I just want a song that goes, "Hey, I like you. Do you like me too? Please like me!" And somehow, Sam makes those straightforward emotions feel interesting, meaningful, and incredibly catchy. Her lyrics tickle, twine, and hurt at just the right moments, capturing feelings that might seem small to someone else but feel absolutely enormous when you're the person experiencing them.

Musically, there were moments that reminded me of Tatiana Manaois' "Helplessly" and the bigger, almost operatic emotions I enjoy in Ben&Ben, whom Sam also cited as an inspiration. I especially appreciated how her arrangements helped communicate emotions, whether through a sudden change in tempo or the contrast between sad lyrics and an unexpectedly magical sound. Even the album's title, which Sam shared had simply slipped out, reflects its theme through the uppercase "HIGHS" and lowercase "lows."

Perhaps what made the album resonate with me so much was the fact that I was listening to it from a completely different stage of life. I've been in a loving, healthy relationship for eight years, and while I appreciate the comfort and stability that come with being with someone for that long, I haven't forgotten what it was like to be young, confused, and ridiculously in love with someone who may or may not have liked me back. I've had big crushes, small crushes, embarrassing crushes, and college crushes that had me questioning every interaction.

So, for this album, I allowed myself to revisit those versions of Dara and remember how exciting, stressful, and sometimes painfully dramatic falling in love used to be.

Listening to HIGHS and lows, one song at a time

1. I DON'T DRINK COFFEE

I don't drink coffee, but apparently, for the right crush, teenage Dara would have reconsidered. This song is SO CUTE, and it immediately reminded me of that age when you'd willingly change the smallest things about yourself just to have something in common with someone you liked. Your crush loves coffee? Well, congratulations, you've apparently become a coffee person overnight. I'm not saying it's healthy to change your personality for someone, but can we admit that we've all done something a little silly to get a crush's attention?

What I particularly enjoyed about this track was how the music itself helped tell the story. I loved how the song became faster when the character drank the coffee, almost as if we were experiencing that sudden caffeine rush alongside her. It was such a clever detail that added another layer of playfulness to an already charming song.

2. mr. nonchalant

BRO. If there were an official soundtrack to college Dara's love life, "mr. nonchalant" would absolutely be on it. I used to be so interested in this guy who was practically the definition of nonchalant. The entire emotion of wanting someone to make a move before you finally decide to move away from them was SO REAL because I remember experiencing that exact frustration. I would overanalyze conversations, replay interactions in my head, and convince myself that certain looks or gestures meant something. And the idea that someone's eyes were telling you something?

PLEASE. Were his eyes actually saying something, or was I just delulu? Looking back now, it's hilarious how much time and energy I spent trying to figure out whether a guy liked me. But at the time, those feelings were enormous, and every little interaction seemed like a potential turning point. The song is playful and frustrating at the same time, reminding me how exhausting, but admittedly exciting, having a nonchalant crush could be. Also, it's ridiculously catchy.

3. SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

If "mr. nonchalant" captures the frustration of mixed signals, "SHOULDER TO SHOULDER" feels like what happens when those mixed signals have finally driven you a little crazy. I immediately remembered hanging out with one of my college crushes during a concert. We were standing together, enjoying the music, and all I could think about was what the entire situation meant. Why are we here together? Are we just friends? Is he thinking about the same things I'm thinking about? PLEASE, WHAT ARE WE? We were literally standing shoulder to shoulder, yet somehow I felt like there was an enormous distance between us.

I particularly liked how the sound seemed to grow more desperate, especially with the almost howling quality that came through. Imagine spending an entire concert worrying about whether the person beside you likes you instead of simply enjoying the music. Damn, I really don't miss that part of having a crush, but I do love remembering it.

4. just friends

I really liked how "just friends" was structured, and I thought the lyrics were strong, but musically, it wasn't one of my personal favorites. I've reached a point where I don't particularly like the idea of women believing that a man is the missing piece that will make their lives complete. HOWEVER, I completely understand that emotion because high school Dara was definitely not as emotionally mature as she'd like to believe. When you're young and experiencing intense romantic feelings for the first time, everything feels monumental. I appreciate that Sam's music gave me room to acknowledge how much my perspective on relationships has changed.

5. OUT OF THE DARKNESS

This song caught me off guard because it brought me back to the early days of my current relationship. When my boyfriend and I were just starting to get to know each other romantically, I was coming out of a particularly dark chapter in my life, but I was slowly beginning to feel ready to let someone in again. The funny thing was, I was ready to be in a relationship, but he wasn't quite there yet.

Looking back after eight years, it's strange to remember that we didn't always have the certainty and stability we have today. Listening to "OUT OF THE DARKNESS" reminded me of those early emotions and the courage it sometimes takes to allow yourself to love again after going through something difficult. This was one of the moments when I realized how much I appreciated Sam's songwriting. Her lyrics brought back memories I hadn't necessarily forgotten, but hadn't thought about in years.

6. miss out

"miss out" made me sad for an entirely different reason because it reminded me of how many experiences children, teenagers, and even adults lost during the pandemic. Imagine never getting to experience your prom the way you pictured it, never having the chance to become prom queen, or never seeing your school crush again because everything suddenly moved online. It's heartbreaking when you really think about it. Those spontaneous hangouts, school events, graduations, and ordinary interactions are the memories you'll laugh about with your friends years later.

While I could laugh about most of my old crushes while listening to this album, this song made me appreciate how lucky I was to have those experiences in the first place. Even the awkward and embarrassing moments are memories I wouldn't want to lose.

7. FINALLY

Remember those parties in Poblacion or Makati where it seemed like EVERYONE you knew was there? There was this one place in Makati where I swear practically every DLSU student would show up, and every night felt like a mini-reunion. You'd walk in and immediately see classmates, friends, mutual friends, people you hadn't spoken to in months, and of course, a crush or two. IT WAS SO FUN. "FINALLY" brought me right back to those nights, particularly the excitement of going out with friends while secretly hoping you'd bump into a certain person.

And once you actually saw them, you'd try to act completely normal, as if you hadn't spent the entire night wondering whether they were going to show up. Listening to this song reminded me how exciting those years were, and while I'm incredibly happy with where I am in life now, I can still appreciate how much fun it was to experience that kind of kilig.

8. told ya so

I think we've all had a situationship where we weren't entirely sure what was happening, and "told ya so" immediately reminded me of how frustrating those experiences could be. You're talking, spending time together, and seemingly enjoying each other's company, but nobody is actually defining anything. There's clearly something happening, or at least you THINK there's something happening, and somehow you're the one who seems more interested.

It's annoying, isn't it? I remember how exhausting it was to constantly wonder whether someone liked me as much as I liked them, especially when I felt like I was putting in more effort. I think this song captures that particular frustration of wanting someone to recognize what's happening before it's too late. The older I get, the more I realize that confusion shouldn't be mistaken for romance, but I understand how easy it is to romanticize uncertainty when you're young and excited about someone.

9. SUNFLOWERS

I LOVE THIS SONG. It's one of my absolute favorites on the album, partly because I naturally gravitate toward music that makes me feel happy. "SUNFLOWERS" feels like sunshine, and there's something incredibly refreshing about listening to a song that celebrates warmth, happiness, and the kind of person who makes life feel a little brighter.

The song also reminded me of Taylor Swift's "Long Live," not necessarily because they tell the same story, but because they both evoke that wonderful feeling of celebrating people and memories that matter to you. "SUNFLOWERS" simply feels even sunnier to me. During the listening party, Sam also shared how important sunflowers are as symbols in her life, which made the song feel even more personal. I particularly appreciate that the album makes room for this kind of joy alongside its many stories of romantic uncertainty and heartbreak.

10. muscle pain

My boyfriend and I have had our fair share of disagreements, both big and small, and "muscle pain" reminded me of those heavier moments in a relationship. Even when you're with someone you love, there are times when things aren't particularly easy, and you have to work through difficult emotions together. What I found especially interesting was the contrast between the lyrics and the sound.

The words felt so down, yet the music had this almost magical quality to it. Isn't that such an interesting combination? Listening to the song now, I could recognize those emotions without feeling consumed by them again. I think there's something beautiful about reaching a stage in life where you can remember a difficult period and appreciate how much you've grown since then.

11. KAIBIGAN

K-A-I-B-I-G-A-N! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS SONG. If there's one track on this album that I can immediately imagine being used in a Filipino romantic comedy, it's "KAIBIGAN." It's fun, playful, and ridiculously catchy, and the whole "I hate you, pero gusto kita" energy is SO REAL. We've all experienced that confusing situation where someone annoys you so much, yet you somehow find yourself attracted to them anyway.

I also love how naturally the Filipino lyrics work here; the song feels conversational and familiar. During the listening party, Sam shared that her older sister helped her write the Tagalog song, which made me appreciate it even more. I can already imagine it playing during a cute romantic montage in a Filipino movie or series, and honestly, I'd love to see that happen.

12. l.y.w.n.i.m.p.

I liked the sentiment behind "l.y.w.n.i.m.p.," particularly the idea that losing someone was never part of the plan. There's something heartbreaking about entering a relationship with so much hope, only to realize that love doesn't guarantee the ending you imagined. The question of whether love and loss inevitably go hand in hand is interesting, although I'll admit this wasn't one of the tracks I connected with as strongly as the others.

I appreciated the lyrics, but musically, it didn't leave the same impression on me as my favorite tracks.

13. STEP BY STEP

By the time we reached "STEP BY STEP," I was already thinking about how differently I experience love now compared to when I was younger. Back then, I wanted answers, reassurance, labels, and the certainty that someone liked me just as much as I liked them. But eight years into a relationship, I've learned that some of the most meaningful parts of love happen gradually.

You learn someone's habits, understand how they communicate, and figure out how to navigate the things that make you different. You don't build that kind of connection overnight, and perhaps that's why the idea of taking things step by step feels so much more romantic to me now than it would have years ago.

14. froyo

OH, I LIKED THIS ONE. "froyo" gave me Olivia Rodrigo vibes, particularly that feeling of finally learning your lesson after investing so much in someone who wasn't necessarily good for you. After so many songs about wanting someone, waiting for someone, and trying to understand their intentions, I found myself thinking, OMG, SHE FINALLY LEARNED HER LESSON.

Sometimes you'll ignore warning signs or convince yourself things will change even when nothing suggests they will. And then one day, you look back and wonder why you were so invested in the first place. That's what this song reminded me of: not bitterness, but the satisfaction of finally recognizing what an experience taught you. Heartbreak doesn't always end in sadness; sometimes, it ends with simply knowing better.

15. HAPPILY EVER AFTER

The album closes with "HAPPILY EVER AFTER," a spoken-word poetry piece that felt like an interesting way to end the listening experience. Spoken-word poetry isn't usually my cup of tea, and this wasn't my favorite moment of the album, but I appreciated the intention behind it.

After fourteen tracks exploring everything from first crushes and situationships to heartbreak and healing, ending with reflection rather than another pop song felt fitting. Growing older means realizing that not every experience needs the ending you imagined. Sometimes the lesson is the ending, and I liked that Sam left us with something to think about.

Coming in curious, going out a fan

When I think about HIGHS and lows, I don't just remember Sam's songs; I remember high school Dara crushing way too hard, college Dara reading into every glance, and those nights in Makati when seeing one particular person could make my entire evening. Eight years into a loving relationship, I can laugh at how dramatic I was while appreciating that those awkward, exciting, and sometimes painful experiences helped shape who I am today.

At Concept Space MNL, hearing Sam share her stories through music that somehow made room for mine, I had that feeling you get when you're watching a star before her rise. I arrived curious and left with songs I could still remember thirteen days later, and I'm convinced Sam Benwick is going places.

HIGHS and lows is independently produced, with distribution support from ONErpm, and is available on major digital music platforms beginning October 16, 2026.