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

The Collaborations II

Voyage (feat. JJ Sansaverino)

(lyrics)

Ain’t nothin’ wrong with me
So don’t you try to play that game
This ain’t on you
No point in goin’ back and forth
It’s just the same
Same old move

I ain’t never felt that kind of love
You know, the kind that takes your air
The kind that lingers in your chest
Like you can’t breathe, but you don’t care
If it don’t hit that deep
Then I’m just not there
And if you ain’t him
Then it’s never gonna flare

They say I’m askin’ too much
Like I should just take what I can get
But I don’t do just enough
I need the real, no regrets
I know he’s somewhere out there
Dreamin’ of me too
That love exists
Yeah, I know it’s true

I ain’t never felt that kind of love
You know, the kind that takes your air
The kind that shakes you when it’s gone
Still lingers everywhere
If it don’t feel that strong
Then I just don’t care
And if you ain’t him
Then it’s never gonna flare

You can’t fake that fire
If it ain’t real
It’s never gonna rise

I ain’t never felt that kind of love
You know, the kind that hits you slow
That stays with you through every storm
And never lets you go
If it don’t burn like that
Then I won’t pretend
And if you ain’t him
Then it’s never gonna begin

In the Song

SoulTune

Related tracks