A great album has the power to immerse you in a theme, transport you to a specific moment in time, and even shift your perspective—it can also create space for healing if you let it.
On For You, Yukimi—vocalist and co-founder of the Grammy-nominated band Little Dragon—holds up a mirror to personal narratives, hidden strength, and explores heartbreak, identity, and the uncertainty of moving forward, even when the path feels muddier than expected. These are fitting themes for her solo debut.
As the title suggests, For You is just that. As she confidently states in the opening track, “Prelude For You,” “Even though it’s about me, it’s equally about you.” This sets the tone for the journey ahead, reminding us that music is meant to be perceived and applied to our own lives, however we see fit. The opening track is playful and philosophical, setting the stage for the undertones of the record.
Next up, “Make Me Whole” showcases Yukimi’s reverberating vocals—smooth and delicate, like butter melting under a hot knife. Lyrically, it circles around the topic of control, unfolding like a neo-soul ballad where Yukimi pleads to feel whole again, grappling with an emptiness she’s been battling. The song is raw and vulnerable, leaving her exposed, longing to be understood—or better yet, heard.
“Break Me Down” opens with a beat that recalls many Little Dragon tracks, setting the stage for Yukimi to lyrically affirm to both herself and her listeners, "Nothing’s gonna break me down."
The song serves as a bold declaration of independence, showcasing her refusal to be confined to any box. It’s an empowering track that could easily become a female anthem. The static-like synth creates the sensation that Yukimi is breaking free, pushing through barriers with strength and conviction.
Fast forward to “Stream of Consciousness” (Feat. Lianne La Havas), which opens with breathy harmonies, accompanied by rhythmic guitar strumming and a steady kick drum, setting a dreamy, contemplative atmosphere. A likely collaboration by two beautiful soulful singers, they complement each other perfectly, both lyrically and musically. As the name suggests, the track lives up to its title, flowing with ease and intention.
“Rules of School” is beautifully jazzy and old-school, evoking the feeling of listening to a soul singer from back in the day. It has a nostalgic quality that transports you, like oldies do—making you feel held, understood, and not alone.
“Sad Make-Up” feels like an effortless release for Yukimi as she sings about the strength found in sadness and the act of smiling through it.
“Peace Reign” is about not giving up on the dream that this world can be a peaceful place, and believing in hope for a brighter future for generations to come.
As Yukimi says, “Peace Reign is about not giving up on the dream that this world can be a peaceful place. Believing in hope and a brighter future for the generations to come.” The song begins with a sweet message from Yukimi’s son: “You have to believe it for it to come true; it’s right in front of you.”
“No Prince” feels like a much-needed wake-up call. With lines like “Only I can save myself from drowning in the deep end” and “Brainwashed thinking that I need it,” this track serves as a reminder of our own power. “Made of earth, yes I am.”
“Winter is Dead” features staccato-like instrumentation, with strings faintly lamenting in the background as Yukimi sings, "protect me from falling in love." Even the harmonies carry a staccato quality, giving the entire song a sense of caution, as if it's a warning.
Named after her son, “Jaxon” (Feat. Pos from De La Soul) is beautifully soulful and serves as a perfectly endearing love song for him, offering moments of reflection with Pos’ poignant line, “A kid falling out like yolk and getting fried in between two adults colliding.”
Ending with “Feels Good To Cry” (Feat. Yasuke Nagano) feels like a fitting conclusion, aligning with the album’s motif of strength in vulnerability. Crying is healthy, normal—it has no assigned gender—and it doesn’t make you weaker. The song closes with a voice note from Yukimi’s father, Yasuke Nagano, talking about crying in his old age and how it’s foolish not to cry. It’s a beautiful final track that encapsulates the album’s theme.
In its entirety, For You is a stunning depiction of strength in vulnerability. It demonstrates that embracing life's scary, gut-wrenching moments is a deeply human experience, and being human means being connected. Yukimi handles this subject effortlessly as an extraordinary, expressive vocalist and artist made to create. The fact that this is her solo debut, and that she shares her emotions so humbly and unabashedly, suggests there will always be no limits to her creative potential.
Photo Credit: Fredrik Egerstrand
