Born in Kashima, a coastal town in Japan, OjiAji aka Ryotaro Noshiro grew up surrounded by the wisdom and resilience of the women in his family. Having carved out his space within the scene as a deft jazz/soul guitarist and songwriter in the raw RnB three piece Izy, OjiAji is also an in demand session musician having worked with Joey Badass, Tiana Khasi and Kee’Ahn among others. Today he shares the second single ‘Be Like A Cloud’ from his debut solo album ‘Love & Company’, a leftfield jazzy, soulful tune featuring wonky slide guitar, warm and roomy drums and whimsical flute. Like the song title suggests, the sentiment encourages others to be a gentle, supportive presence amidst someone’s storm of emotions. Be Like A Cloud is released on Thursday 22nd May, with the debut album out Friday 27th June via Hopestreet Recordings.

Be Like A Cloud is centred around a cyclical jazz informed chord movement with a hummable melody that follows. A filtered effect on the vocals and kooky left-of-centre slide guitar solo draws some musical comparisons with New Zealand artist Connan Mockasin and LA based Hether. Relaxed lo-fi drums by The Pro-Teens’ Hudson Whitlock carry the tune forward in the most subtle way, and Naarm/Melbourne multi-instrumentalist Nikodimos provides gentle, whimsical flute pads which support the floatiness of the song's nature and title. “Be Like A Cloud is a tribute to the power of empathy and the transformative effect of compassionate support. I want to invite you to practice these principles, offering a map for how to be there for others and help them find their smile again.” OjiAji adds. 

Now based in Naarm/Melbourne, OjiAji finds his creative voice through music and writing, reflecting on his powerful journey as a Japanese man living life in Australia. His debut solo album is a tribute to the art of being present for others, honoring the legacy of his mother’s nurturing spirit, and fostering a more empathetic world. The album features some of Melbourne’s finest instrumental practitioners with vocal appearances from SO.Crates and Kee’ahn, and showcases OjiAji’s natural instinct for writing understated yet intricate jazz/soul compositions.

OjiAji - Be Like a Cloud

[Verse 1]
It's just a late night rendezvous
It's just another one-night stand
It's just another pick-me-up
To keep me from falling down

[Verse 2]
And it's just a way to waste the night
And it's just a way to waste the day
And it's just another excuse
To let my life pass away

[Chorus]
But it's not just any girl
No
It's not just any girl
She'll change the way I see the world
Yeah
It's not just any girl

[Verse 3]
She might be the one to fall in love with
For the very first time
She might be the one to fall in love with
For the very first time

[Verse 4]
And it's just another waste of time
And it's just another pretty face
And it's just another heartache
And it's just another mistake

[Verse 5]
But it's not just any girl
No
It's not just any girl
She'll change the way I see the world
Yeah
It's not just any girl

It's not just any girl

The Collaborations II

Voyage (feat. JJ Sansaverino)

JUNIO 13

On The Way

No Beasts, No Peace

The bible story

Hymns of Grace

Ascendant Dreamscape Flow (Original Mix)

extras/individual reposts. clearing out the SD cards

C0000011

G.O.O.M.M.

Don’t Know What to Say is a soulful baritone ballad that tells the story of being overwhelmed by love yet certain of its truth. The song begins with a spoken baritone line that sets an intimate mood before opening into a warm and rich vocal delivery. Every lyric carries both passion and tenderness, showing devotion so strong it shakes the world and leaves words behind. The groove is smooth and steady, blending classic soul warmth with orchestral depth to create a timeless sound. Strings, horns, bass, and Rhodes surround the voice with a lush arrangement that feels cinematic yet close to the heart. This is music built on honesty and connection, where every note mirrors the emotion of holding someone you cannot lose. The lyrics speak of craving love, holding tight, and finding security in a bond that promises it will never fade away. The cover artwork reflects this moment, a couple in golden light, their closeness capturing the same timeless devotion. Listeners who crave real soul and R&B will hear both tenderness and power in the song’s confident, heartfelt delivery. Above all, Don’t Know What to Say is about love’s ability to overwhelm, to comfort, and to last forever.

Listen and share on all platforms:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2qzn8X3AOQUokEPJlIHsY8?si=NJDzjK9TRwi7Of1D6hSWMw
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/keith-jones-281413858
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KeithJones-xs1jr
Push.fm: https://push.fm/fl/ugzbhjwo
PayPal: https://paypal.me/KeithJonesTorquayQLD

Lyrics
Don't Know What To Say

Don’t know, no don’t know what to say
You are here right in front of me, you are (mmmmm)
I stand here, shaking my head, what you do to me (yeah you)
Always in a spin, this love you are giving me (oooh yeah, oooh)

Is this the way, it’s gonna be, don’t know what to say
Don’t know, what to say, these feelings that I have (all because of you)
The lovin your givin, can’t be real, even though it is
When you’re in my arms, the love I see in your eyes (what you do to me)

I feel so greedy, just want more and more of you (it’s true)
While you’re near my heart just pounds, beating out love for you
So I, don’t know, don’t know, no I don’t know what to say
What you do to me, a love so true, will never be blue
(I know I love you) I do

I can see it in your blue eyes, that this love will never pass us by (it will stay)
These feelings I have for you, just keep growing and growing
This love for you is overflowing, so I don’t know what to say (I don’t)
So all I can say to you, that is true, is that I love you (ooooh yeah babe you)

I feel so greedy, just want more and more of you (it’s true)
While you’re near my heart just pounds, beating out love for you
So I, don’t know, don’t know, no I don’t know what to say
What you do to me, a love so true, will never be blue
(I know I love you) I do

(I don’t know, ooooh yes I do, I don’t know what to say to you)
I love you

I love you, ooooh

Keywords
soulful baritone ballad, overwhelmed by love, certain of its truth, spoken baritone line, intimate mood, warm vocal delivery, passion and tenderness, timeless sound, orchestral depth, lush arrangement, honesty and connection, craving love, golden light, timeless devotion, heartfelt delivery

#rnb #soul #newmusic #music #hiphop #soulmusic #musiclover #rnbmusic #soulful #slowjam #vocal #vocalmusic #vocals #artist #artistlife

Don't Know What To Say

Don’t Know What to Say – A Soulful Baritone Love Song of Devotion and Overwhelming Emotion

Buy all our vinyl direct from www.hopestreetrecordings.com 
OR https://hopestreetrecordings.bandcamp.com/follow_me

Hopestreet Recordings is an artist-run record label based in Brunswick since 2009. From the humblest of DIY beginnings, this community of musicians, producers and writers has carved out a global niche for their old-school inspired crusty analogue creations. Hopestreet represents the diversity, quality of musicianship and originality of Melbourne’s inner Northern music community, and keeps developing their distinct sound, production approach year to year, and audiences all over are responding.

OjiAji - Be Like a Cloud

Hopestreet Recordings

Recent comments

Th3NightOff

Related tracks