dwta’s ‘Di Naman’ is a Confessional Ode to Unrequited Love

On her lushly arranged alt-pop track, the Albay native expresses her frustrations with someone who may not reciprocate the same infatuated feelings as hers.

As dwta describes it, “’Di Naman is a song about the playful but frustrating side of unrequited love. Back when I first started writing it, it felt like I was just venting about my crushes and my fear of rejection. But as time passed and I experienced more, I realized the song wasn’t just about being scared to make the first move but also about accepting that sometimes things don’t go your way in love.”

Co-produced with frequent collaborator Brian Lotho, “’Di Naman” reimagines chamber pop and jazz music influences through her own contemporary lens. This marks a subtle shift from her folk-y beginnings to a more mature and sonically intricate direction, while remaining true to her personal brand as a singer-songwriter.

Everything about the song is flowy and gentle, but not quite a sleeper: the arrangements soar in its delicate but ethereal way, never getting in the way of dwta’s affecting vocal delivery. The ascending strings and expressive piano lines contribute to the track’s masterful musicality. But it’s through her subdued singing that gives the torch ballad its much needed introspection and soul, striking a balance between old and new, and never feeling heavy on both ends of the spectrum.

“Our goal was to create a pop sound with an upbeat, quirky vibe,” explains the Santigwar hitmaker. “For the arrangement, we went through many revisions of the lyrics and melody. We added verses, changed some lyrics and melodies, and removed certain parts of the song. These adjustments made it easier to listen to compared to the original arrangement. We wanted to ensure that the song flowed smoothly and captured the right mood, making listeners to easily connect with the emotions.”

According to dwta, the song was inspired by some of her musical heroes, including Emily King, Lawrence, and Laufey.

As a Filipino recording artist born and raised in Bicol, dwta has shown immense promise in music—thanks to her artistic flair and charismatic folk/pop songwriting. With music that is deeply rooted in Bicolano heritage, the award-winning artist “crafts a musical journey that not only embraces the vibrant traditions of her country and the region, but also touches the hearts of a listener.” To date, she has amassed more than 30 million streams on Spotify alone and has performed in packed venues across the country. One of her biggest hits includes “Padaba Taka,” which won her the award for Best Regional Recording at the Awit Awards in 2023. Dwta is also part of this year’s roster of Spotify RADAR, an annual program for rising artists.

Dwta’s “‘Di Naman” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.