“While ‘Oceanic Feeling’ explores ideas of unity and eternity, ‘Ululō’ focuses on the limitations that define us as individuals – things like boundaries and a sense of possession that are necessary to navigate the physical world.”
For his fourth studio album, Ululō, Japanese pianist and composer Koki Nakano channels all the desire and intensity of a howl. Internationally celebrated vocalists Yael Naim, Wayne Snow, and Jordi join Koki Nakano on this journey, resulting in music that truly touches the soul, guaranteed to give you goosebumps. Lost in his music, one has the feeling of being able to pause time for a few moments; the outside world falls silent for a moment as exciting compositional sounds and great vocals demand all your attention, causing swirling thoughts to suddenly disappear into nothingness.
Born in Fukuoka, Japan, Koki Nakano has already performed in places such as the Louvre, Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris), Cadogan Hall (London), and Lincoln Center (New York). In 2016, he released his first album named Lift, followed by Pre-choreographed in 2020 and Oceanic Feeling in 2022. He also has a unique artistic background that includes collaborating with dancers and visual artists, such as for the striking Oceanic Feeling, in which he created a visually powerful piece of art together with choreographers Damien Jalet and Aimilios Arapoglou, and dancer Aimilios Arapoglou.
As I write these lines, I’m listening to the mesmerizing song “Vertical Pool,” a collaboration with the fantastic Nigerian-born, but since 2013 Berlin-based singer and songwriter Wayne Snow – dive into the world of the two artists who harmonize perfectly with each other. We asked both artists about their collaboration on this song, about the limitations that define us as individuals, and the track being a love song for the pursuit of happiness.
Images by Vincent Desailly and press courtesy
In your own words, how would you describe the central theme of Ululō and what inspired the title?
Koki Nakano: The main inspiration for “Ululō” comes from my childhood memory of being on the balcony with my father at night, gazing at the beautiful moon. I would often ask him to bring the moon to me, as it seemed so close. Later on, my father would retell me this story this often, as it would remind him of the famous 18th-century haiku where a child had the same innocent reaction, asking to bring him the moon. Looking back, this memory represents my earliest awareness of the vast distance between myself and certain things – an early realization of the layers of separation and limits in the world. The album title, Ululō, which means “howling” or “crying” in Latin, reflects the theme of struggling with these limitations. For me, it speaks to the deeper existential challenges of being in a physical world constrained by boundaries that are not always within our control.
You’ve collaborated with notable vocalists like Yael Naim, Wayne Snow, and Jordi for this album. How did their contributions shape the overall sound and emotional depth of Ululō?
Koki Nakano: I wanted this album to have a sense of directness, raw emotion, and something very tangible. Collaborating with vocalists provided the perfect opportunity to explore that. For me, the voice is the most powerful way to convey emotion, and working with such unique vocalists helped bring out different shades of feeling in each track. I specifically chose artists from diverse musical backgrounds to highlight the universality of the album’s central theme, showing how these shared emotional struggles connect us all, regardless of where we come from.
“Ululō, meaning ‘howling’ or ‘crying’ in Latin, reflects the struggle with limitations and existential challenges in a world of uncontrollable boundaries.”Koki Nakano
How does Ululō differ from your previous albums in terms of rawness and emotional expression? What prompted this shift in approach?
Koki Nakano: The outbreak of wars right after the pandemic really shifted my perspective. We had just gone through a period that made us realize how precious our connections with others are, yet society has become more divided. This led me to create “Ululō” as a counterpoint to my previous album, “Oceanic Feeling”. While “Oceanic Feeling” explores ideas of unity and eternity, “Ululō” focuses on the limitations that define us as individuals – things like boundaries and a sense of possession that are necessary to navigate the physical world.
Yet, there’s always this longing for unity, which creates a constant struggle within me. I wanted to find a way to transform that tension into something beautiful, to take the energy from this internal friction and use it to create art. I began to see this struggle as a source of drama and emotional depth – the friction, in a way, brings warmth and connection. I had an image of a howling wolf under the sky, overlapping with my childhood self asking my father for the moon. This cartoonish image became a loophole to fantasy or romanticism.
You have a unique background that includes collaborating with dancers and visual artists. How did these experiences inform your work on Ululō, especially in terms of embodying human desire?
Koki Nakano: I believe that any form of creation ultimately serves as a reflection of the era we live in. It’s always inspiring to share how others are trying to break free from the limitations we’re stuck in, exploring what materialities can potentially liberate us and provide new ways of finding balance. Sharing these ideas greatly helps me discover new shapes and directions in my music.
“I believe that any form of creation ultimately serves as a reflection of the era we live in.” Koki Nakano
You’re well know for your collaborations with Issey Miyake – could you please tell more about why you have chosen to collaborate with this designer?
Koki Nakano: Two years ago, Issey Miyake’s head designer, Mr. Satoshi Kondo, told me he had been listening to my albums while designing clothes. When we finally met, we discovered many shared interests and a mutual search for similar textures.
For me, both fashion and music are “wearable” – they have always accompanied me. They help me tune into the moment.
“It felt more like a movement than just a song—I could vividly picture dancers moving to it. It wasn’t just about singing anymore; it was about embodying the rhythm and energy of the track.”Wayne Snow
Wayne, can you describe the collaborative process between you two on this track? How did you each contribute to its overall sound and feel?
Wayne Snow: Our collaboration was a beautiful journey of mutual respect and creativity. I focused on writing the lyrics and expressing the emotions behind them, while Koki brought those words to life with his incredible instrumentation. We spent a lot of time sharing ideas and inspirations, ensuring that both the lyrics and the music complemented each other perfectly. Koki’s musical landscape provided the perfect backdrop for my vocals, and together, we crafted a sound that feels authentic to both of us.
Were there any specific moments or breakthroughs during your collaboration that particularly influenced the final version of the track?
Wayne Snow: Yes, there was a powerful moment when I first heard the song. The music spoke to my body in such a way that I immediately knew what I had to do. It felt more like a movement than just a song—I could vividly picture dancers moving to it. That vision shaped the way I approached the lyrics and my performance. It wasn’t just about singing anymore; it was about embodying the rhythm and energy of the track, which added another layer of depth to the final version.
“I’ve always believed that the pursuit of freedom—be it emotional, spiritual, or physical—is one of the most profound endeavors we can undertake.” Wayne Snow
How did you approach your vocal performance in relation to the instrumentation? What emotions did you aim to convey through your voice?
Wayne Snow: I approached my vocal performance with a deep sense of introspection. I wanted to convey the yearning and passion that comes with the pursuit of freedom. Knowing the powerful instrumentation Koki provided, I aimed for my voice to be both vulnerable and strong, capturing the essence of the lyrics. My goal was to make listeners feel every word and emotion as genuinely as possible.
You described the track as a love song for those pursuing freedom. What personal experiences or philosophies inspired this theme?
Wayne Snow: The theme was inspired by my own journey towards self-discovery and liberation. I’ve always believed that the pursuit of freedom—be it emotional, spiritual, or physical—is one of the most profound endeavors we can undertake. Personal experiences of breaking free from limitations and embracing my true self fueled the lyrics. I wanted to create a song that speaks to anyone on a similar path, offering them hope and solidarity.
Looking ahead, how do you envision your musical partnership evolving after this project? Are there other themes or concepts you’d like to explore together?
Wayne Snow: I’m incredibly excited about the future of our collaboration. Working with Koki has opened up new creative avenues, and we both share a desire to explore deeper themes like resilience, love, and the human condition. We plan to continue blending our strengths to create music that not only resonates with listeners but also inspires them on their own journeys. What’s even more exciting is that Koki and I will be performing the music live, which we feel will bring a whole new energy and connection to the songs. We’re looking forward to sharing that experience with our audiences and seeing how the music evolves in a live setting.
To catch them live in Berlin in November, get your ticket here.
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