UMI has been quickly cementing herself as a visionary in the R&B space. The American-Japanese artist has cultivated a unique neo-soul sound that’s at once vibrant and comforting. She also made her mark as one of Hypebeast’s Best Rising Artists of Fall 2023.
Following the release of “happy im,” the singer has returned to announce a new EP entitled talking to the wind, set to debut early next year. In tandem with the announcement, she also shared the second track from the project, “why don’t we go.”
“This song is about enjoying your eternal youth, to be playful, to be free, to not think so much about life,” UMI said of the track. “Through the lyrics I paint a scene of me falling in love with someone I met for the first time, dancing through the night and forgetting my parents advice.”
“”why don’t we go” is me inviting myself and the other person to just let go and to live for the sake of living—even if it’s just for one night.”
talking to the wind follows UMI’s 2022 album Forest in the City, as well as 2021’s Introspection Reimagined. Her last EP was released in 2021 as a precursor to the later album, called Introspection.
Watch the music video for UMI’s “why don’t we go” and stream the song everywhere now. talking to the wind is out on January 19.
In other music news, Sundance DXB returns for the fourth installment of its global festival.
