#kingo halla

[jacobwren]

Kingo Halla - Reflections (Official Audio)

[yamabra-extra]

KINGO HALLA / Empty Hands

今年はまだやっと３月末なのですが、すでに「今年のベスト」って書いちゃったアルバムがごっちゃりあって、「またか」といわれるのは重々覚悟しています。でもこれは今年のベストだと、またもやいわせていただきます。それぐらい素晴らしいんです。Kingo Hallaはニューヨーク生まれの日系アメリカ人。現在はトロントを拠点としているシンガー・ソングライター／プロデューサー／multi-instrumentalistです。Henry Nozukaが本名？らしい。歌が素晴らしい。ソウルフルでいて柔らかく儚いハイトーンの繊細な美しさ。そしてスウィートで切な〜〜い旋律は、共作もありますが全てオリジナル。そしてヴィンテージ楽器／アナログ機器／テープマシンに造詣が深いという彼の作り出すサウンドは、温かく柔らかなヴィンテージ感に溢れています。基本的にソウル／R&Bなのですが、微睡の中にあるような、この上ない心地よさをもたらしてくれます。この音楽を創造したのが日系のアメリカ人というのも嬉しいですね。だって言ってみれば音楽版ヌートバーみたいなもんでしょ（違う？）。

[abductionradiation]

Toronto, Ontario -- Kingo Halla, the project of Henry Nozuka, will be releasing his upcoming debut LP Empty Hands on February 24. Last week, Kingo Halla shared the newest single from the record “Mirage”. The melodic track spans 2,5 minutes long and it’s the perfect dose of Nozuka’s falsetto vocals and gentle R&B. There’s a delicate balance to the instrumental layers on the track that give the song a fluttery lightness. From the soft piano to the tight rhythm section, “Mirage” sounds like a dreamy cloud lifting you into the warmth of Kingo Halla’s sonic world.

On the track, Kingo Halla shares “I wrote this song and co-produced it with my good friend Felix Fox (now touring and recording with BadBadNotGood) at my studio “Shijō Studios” in Toronto. ‘Mirage’ is about the longing I experienced with my partner during our 7 years of being overseas long distance. The difficulty of dealing with our distance was heightened during covid as we were separated for six months on two separate occasions. ‘Mirage’ is about the emotional turmoil I experienced after we continually were separated over the span of our relationship, and the difficulties of being in love with someone so far away. It was a challenging time but also somewhat motivating, as it would inspire me to go deeper into the creative process. Over the years, music and writing songs have helped me process difficult emotions and I think this is a good example of that. Felix played most of the instruments on this song, while I played the classical guitars, cello, and viola, and added some psychedelic textures, and vocals. Our good friend Ben Maclean (K’naan) is playing electric guitar on this song as well. Musically, we wanted the song to sound like it had elements of 70’s Psychedelic Soul while still maintaining a fresh Alt R&B/Soul edge.”

Connect with Kingo Halla:

Official Site | Instagram