STREAM TRACK HERE
July 10, 2025 — Filipino indie-folk bard Hattus (the musical persona of Setheo Laguerta) releases the final chapter of his three-song EP with “but as a shadow” — a stirring, melancholic ballad that feels like a Renaissance painting come to life.
Following the mythic journeys of “One with Orange Leaves” and “Sounds of Splashing Stones,” this final song brings a quiet yet devastating conclusion to the EP’s narrative arc. “but as a shadow” unfolds with delicate lyricism and hushed instrumentation, painting the portrait of a shadow forever reaching for a warmth it cannot touch — an aching metaphor for love fading into myth, for hope that slips beyond our grasp.
Carrying the intimate, storybook signature of Hattus, the track echoes centuries-old
laments while remaining rooted in a contemporary folk sensibility. It invites listeners to reflect on their own unreachable dreams, their own stories of loss and longing, through the hush of a single voice wrapped in gentle strings.
With this release, Hattus strengthens his growing world — a place where raw emotion, whimsical storytelling, and tender melodies weave together seamlessly.
Setheo Laguerta’s musical world continues to grow, with over 2 million streams on fan-favorite “So Are We Platonic?” and a loyal community of 1.3 million TikTok followers drawn to his heartfelt, fantastical storytelling.
“but as a shadow” is available on all streaming platforms.