We live in a world of exhausting trends, short-form content, and songs designed to grab you before the chorus even lands. In all the noise, subtle talent can slip through the cracks. But often, the music that stays with us the longest isn’t the loudest; it’s the kind that speaks softly, takes its time, and gradually takes hold of your heart. Maya Unagi is one of those rare artists whose music not only sounds beautiful but also feels healing.

Her latest single Stumbling gently pushes back against the fast-paced music market. Released via Decent Music PR and lifted from her upcoming EP Pieces (due July 2025), the track feels like a message to your past self, the part of you still figuring out how to be gentle and let go.

Following the release of her new single, we caught up with Maya for a brief chat about Stumbling and what’s ahead with Pieces.

I only want to write songs when I have something to say. And I still believe in crafting songs from scratch, which takes time and runs counter to the standard “assembly-line” approach to making records today.

View of the Arts: Stumbling feels personal, almost like an emotional diary entry. What inspired the song, and when did you know it was ready to be shared with the world?

Maya Unagi: Honestly, the song started off with the chords and melody. The word “stumbling” fell out of my mouth as I mumbled and hummed melody ideas.  The first line of the hook, “hey young thing, I see you stumbling,” poured out soon after. I wasn’t really sure what it meant in the moment, if anything. The,n after many months of reflection and writing, it evolved into the love letter to self you’re hearing.  It was really a testament to divine timing and patience—the right idea striking at the right time in the right setting, and the commitment to watering and nurturing it to fruition.

The second question is kind of funny, because in my eyes, a song is *never* ready to be shared with the world. It’s no secret that I take my time with songwriting. But I think that makes me struggle to stop tinkering and refining and just…let go. It almost has to be wrestled out of my hands at times.

VOA: Your sound sits beautifully between R&B, lo-fi indie, and soul-searching pop. What’s your approach to creating a sound that feels unmistakably yours?

MU: I can’t say I have a tried and true method or approach. I don’t think too much about it. I think it’s just a natural amalgam of all of my musical influences – classical, jazz, classic rock, soul, R&B, film scores…my background as an instrumentalist also plays a large role.

VOA: There’s a subtle confidence in how Stumbling sidesteps big drama, focusing instead on emotional aftershocks. Was that sense of subtlety something you aimed for from the beginning?

MU: I suppose so? I tend to favor nuance and understatement in my writing at large. This song was also supposed to be gentle and nourishing, so I wanted the lyricism to embody that as well.

“Pieces” is an introspective and genre-spanning body of work. Musically, there’s quite a spectrum, but it’s still sonically cohesive. Thematically, it continues the journey of self-discovery, exploring new emotional terrain, and grounding into self-love.

VOA: The production on Stumbling is textured yet minimal. What was your collaboration like with Curran Sinha and the rest of the team on this track?

MU: I spontaneously laid this chord progression on the keys when we were just messing around in the studio. And Curran tracked some guitar, soon followed by the drums. Karim graciously offered to play bass, and I am super thankful – he’s a beast. A good while passed as I continued to pen lyrics, and months later, Sara Kawai laid some harp magic, and I composed the string parts (performed by Sara Madani). Though the song unfolded over almost 2.5 years, everything fell into place really organically. It was a dream working with this team – everyone is so talented, it feels surreal to collaborate with them. Especially Curran – he put so much painstaking care into making this record, and I really want to shout that out.

VOA: You’ve said the upcoming Pieces EP is your most wide-ranging work yet. How does it build on what you began with Stumbling?

MU: Pieces is an introspective and genre-spanning body of work. Musically, there’s quite a spectrum, but it’s still sonically cohesive. Thematically, it continues the journey of self-discovery, exploring new emotional terrain, and grounding into self-love. With this project, I also aim to highlight aspects of the human experience outside of romantic love, since there are so many that deserve representation, too.

VOA: Your background spans classical music, jazz, and R&B. How do those influences show up in your songwriting process today?

MU: I infuse my songwriting and composition with motifs from my favorite classical repertoire. As for jazz…I’m not a real jazz musician – I’m just an aficionado, since my parents played a ton of it in the house growing up. But purely by ear, I emulate chord progressions and stylistic elements I enjoy. I’d say vocally, I draw a lot of inspiration from R&B and soul, tone-wise and melodically.

VOA: A lot of today’s music is built for instant impact. Yours seems to invite stillness. Do you feel like that’s a conscious response to today’s fast-paced culture?

MU: I think there’s a pressure to maximise output for the sake of visibility, I only want to write songs when I have something to say. And I still believe in crafting songs from scratch, which takes time and runs counter to the standard “assembly-line” approach to making records today. So I’d definitely say it’s a conscious choice to take the slow route, and hopefully the result invites others to do the same!

VOA: You compose, produce, and play keys on your tracks. What’s your favorite part of the creative process – writing, performing, or producing?

MU: Definitely writing and composing – sitting at the piano and ideating. If I could be a studio rat and just make a living writing songs, I’d die happy.

VOA: What’s your ideal setting for someone to listen to Stumbling – headphones at night, a solo drive, a long walk?

MU: Walks in nature, solo drives, Sunday chores, springtime picnics…those would be my top picks.

VOA: And just for fun: What’s been your go-to comfort food while working on Pieces – and what’s one album you’ve had on repeat lately?

MU: I’d have to say the go-to is Trader Joe’s Sea Salt & Turbinado Sugar Dark Chocolate Almonds. And I’ve found myself bumping “Dummy” by Portishead pretty heavily lately.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of Maya Unagi

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}