R&B singer-songwriter UMI announces her new EP talking to the wind out January 19. She also releases the second track off the project, “why dont we go.” Listen to the single HERE and pre-save the EP HERE.

talking to the wind follows UMI’s critically acclaimed debut album Forest in the City (2022). The new 4-track project sees UMI in a confident new light as she fully embraces love and life, but above all, feels okay with being lost in the world. Her first independent release, talking to the wind was written during a transitional period. Ultimately, UMI found wisdom and the creative motivation to write the EP through meditation and getting in touch with the elements by literally speaking with the wind. See the full talking to the wind tracklist below.

UMI’s second offering from the project, “why dont we go,” begins with reverberating vocals before funk-infused guitar and a snapping bass line come into play. It’s the perfect backdrop for an upbeat anthem about throwing caution to the wind and falling in love. The accompanying video is a playful celebration of youth and beauty. UMI and her friends are the epitome of carefree as they dance around a sunlit room.

Watch the “why dont we go” video HERE.

“This song is about enjoying your eternal youth, to be playful, to be free, to not think so much about life. Through the lyrics, I paint a scene of me falling in love with someone I met for the first time, dancing through the night and forgetting my parent’s advice. ‘why don’t we go’ is me inviting myself and the other person to just let go and to live for the sake of living—even if it’s just for one night,” UMI says of the single.

“why dont we go”  channels many of the same themes as UMI’s previous single, “happy im,” released on August 11, existing in the same sonic universe but paired with a more danceable beat.

On November 27, UMI will host two meditation events at Lune Soleil in Downtown Los Angeles. As an extension of the meditations she leads before each of her concerts, UMI and attendees will celebrate that evening’s beaver moon, aka the November full moon. At both the 7 pm PT and 9 pm PT meditations, UMI will lead group breathing and a sound bowl session to infuse the power of the moon into attendees.

On December 2, UMI will join Jhené Aiko at Oakland Arena, where she’ll perform her new singles from talking to the wind as well as hits from Forest in the City. Coco Jones and Tink will also make special appearances as openers. With only a debut album under her belt, UMI has quietly risen to the forefront of R&B.