Following her string of introspective releases, acclaimed singer-songwriter syd hartha is back with her latest single, “ako naman muna,” out today via Sony Music Entertainment. 
With bossa nova, Manila Sound, and alternative pop influences, the sweet, softly grooving pop track captures the push and pull dynamics of young romance that ultimately leads to letting go. Beneath its breezy, nostalgic arrangements lies a bittersweet realization that choosing yourself is the truest form of love.
“I wrote ‘ako naman muna’ after my first time experiencing a situationship,” syd shares. “As a lover girl at heart, I kept on giving so much of myself to someone who made me believe we wanted the same thing—to truly love each other. It took me a while to realize that wasn’t the case. It broke me, but it also inspired me to make it up to myself, to put myself first again and give the same kind of love I kept giving away back to me instead.”
Produced with a light, rhythmic touch that evokes the easy charm of 1970s Filipino pop, the track’s delicate percussions, subtle wind textures, and warm keys create an atmosphere that is both soothing and liberating. While its lyrics speak of pain and disillusionment, its sonic treatment tells a story of freedom: a sonic sigh of relief after heartbreak.
“The lyrics are already quite emotional and dramatic, so I didn’t want the song to sound or feel that way,” syd explains. “I wanted the production to sound the exact opposite: light, easy, and most especially, fun to listen to, because there’s joy and freedom in finally waking up, realizing your worth, and leaving a situation you don’t deserve to be in.”
“ako naman muna” also reflects syd’s new direction as an artist, one who continues to balance confessional vulnerability with sonic sophistication. Known for her compelling and personal lyrics and captivating storytelling, syd has found a way to infuse her personhood with playfulness, turning lessons in love and life into music that uplifts as much as it moves.
“This song shows how much I deal with pain now,” she adds. “Instead of letting shame and heartbreak weigh me down, I try to see things as lessons, not punishments. It’s about doing the right thing for yourself, and how freeing that can feel.”
syd hartha’s “ako naman muna” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
