The Bicol-born artist explores anger and vulnerability in alt-rock anthem
Following the commercial acclaim of “Sampung Mga Daliri,” her collaborative single with SB19’s Justin, Filipino singer-songwriter dwta returns to the spotlight with her new single “Nasusunog (Pants On Fire)”—released under Sony Music Entertainment.
Marking a striking departure from her signature folk-pop sound, “Nasusunog” delivers an anthem that effortlessly weaves confessional introspection with alt-rock instrumentation. Written by Jhasmine Villanueva (dwta) with Tiana Kocher, Ashley Mehta, and Martin Estrada during the Sony x Monostereo Groove songwriting session earlier this year, the track pulsates with dynamic, in-your-face arrangements, urgent rhythms, and simmering rage. This is her Jagged Little Pill era, but with her voice still grounded in sincerity.
The Bicol-born artist describes “Nasusunog (Pants OnFire)” as an exploration of what she calls a graceful wrath, the act of expressing anger in a way that remains vulnerable and composed. “It’s not screaming or exploding; it’s just simply burning, quietly and beautifully.”
The song’s conceptual genesis came from a simple but loaded childhood phrase, “Liar, liar, pants on fire,” which also serves as the song’s alternative title. What began as a playful idiom quickly revealed deeper implications. “We realized it could symbolize how deceit burns through trust,” she adds. “It became the foundation for a song about reclaiming power and releasing long-suppressed emotions.”
Recorded with Martin Estrada at the helm of production and Brian Lotho as co-producer, “Nasusunog (Pants OnFire)” retains essential elements of dwta’s sound—percussion, acoustic textures, and ornamental strings—while venturing into darker, brooding sonic terrain. The electric guitar work, in particular, lends an edge that mirrors the song’s emotional weight.
Citing Lizzy McAlpine’s “Erase Me” as a reference point, dwta embraced a moodier palette and created a track that speaks not only to her personal journey, but also to shared experiences of betrayal and resilience, especially among women.
“It wasn’t just about me, though. It was like a collective emotion from all of us in the room,” the Santigwar artist shares. “We talked about people who lie, manipulate, and make you feel small, and how we were all done with that. So the song became this emotional release, like a shared fire we all needed to let out.”
With “Nasusunog (Pants On Fire),” dwta continues to evolve as one of the most reliable singer-songwriters of her generation, one who is unafraid to confront her fears with authenticity and grace. The new track reinforces her commitment to honest storytelling while unfolding a new dimension to her journey as an artist.
dwta’s “Nasusunog (Pants On Fire)” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
Source: Nyou