Seattle neo-soul artist UMI, in high spirits, is disregarding worry and allowing love to come into her life on her latest single, “why dont we go.” The 24-year-old singer has primarily operated in her own dreamy realm of neo-soul since she started racking up millions of streams in the late 2010s. Recently, she came into her own on the 2022 album Forest in the City, an example of R&B’s continued dominance in the hands of female artists.
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As the second single off the upcoming 4-track EP, talking to the wind, out Jan. 19, “why dont we go” follows the one-with-nature feel of the previous single “happy im” and takes the listener through the splendors of love. Before the EP’s release, she will be hosting two meditation events at Lune Souleil in Downtown LA on Nov. 27 and open for Jhené Aiko at Oakland Arena on Dec. 2.
True to her name, meaning ocean in Japanese, UMI speaks of falling in love as if journeying through a magical forest with indescribable sights comparable to a fairy tale. Unlike “happy im,” “why dont we go” aims to get you up on your feet through its funky bass and dance groove, something captured in the song’s visualizer where UMI and others freely dance.
That’s not to diminish the songwriting, which elevates the single from being another neo-soul jam into a more sensual and endearingly carefree space. “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,” said UMI.
Judging by the titles of projects such as Forest in the City and talking in the wind, UMI’s visceral love for nature inspires a tranquil existence, evidenced by her meditation events in person and online. It’s also incorporated into every aspect of her music, with “why dont we go” being no different.
“This song is about enjoying your eternal youth, to be playful, to be free, to not think so much about life,” said UMI. The same can be said for her career thus far, which is marked by a steady supply of staggering sunny R&B that serves as an oasis in a constantly changing world.
Words: David Sosa
“why dont we go” by UMI is out on all streaming services. For more on her EP and upcoming shows, including her opening spot for Jhené Aiko at Oakland Arena on Dec. 2, follow her on Instagram and TikTok.
