Yumi Ito invites us to her personal island: to herself, to her music, and to ourselves.

With 'Lonely Island,' Swiss-Polish-Japanese musician Yumi Ito releases her first solo album - and simultaneously her most personal work to date. Reduced to voice and piano, two instruments that have accompanied her since childhood, the result is an intimate sonic portrait. Improvisation is at the heart of both instruments.

As a classically trained pianist who grew up with the Suzuki method, Yumi Ito draws on a lifetime of aural learning. Ten pieces that have accompanied Ito over the years, and that she would take with her to a desert island, appear in a new light on 'Lonely Island' - songs like 'What Seems To Be,' 'Old Redwood Tree,' and 'Stardust Crystals,' condensed and reduced to their essentials. What remains is pure essence: music full of warmth, depth, and honesty. 'I wanted to make an album that felt like a house concert.' It's as if you were sitting in the room with me - honest, vulnerable, pure.' Yumi Ito The voice is more mature and nuanced than ever, meeting a narrative piano playing that doesn't accompany, but rather contributes to the overall composition. 'Old Redwood Tree' plays with meditative 13/8 ostinatos and impressionistic chords, while 'Tiki Taka' introduces Brazilian elements. In the new version of 'What Seems to Be,' Ito also takes on the solo role of the former saxophone, or, on other pieces, transforms earlier harp and guitar parts into new soundscapes via the piano. A playful and virtuoso change of perspective. At times, the sound sounds like Debussy or Ravel, then it's reminiscent of Norah Jones, Fiona Apple, or Tori Amos. The music shimmers, shimmers, whispers. And it makes you forget that everything was recorded live by a single person. Almost exclusively F(L)INTA people were involved in the artistic process, from music production to design.

The solo record is thus also a symbol of visibility and solidarity. 'Lonely Island' is both a retreat and an opening towards new paths and new voices.

Track Listing

• What Seems to be
• Little Things
• Is It You
• Rebirth
• Stardust Crystals
• After The End
• Old Redwood Tree
• Seagull
• Love Is Here To Stay
• Tiki Taka

Additional Details

Label: Enja records

Genre: Adult Contemporary/MOR

Language: English

Run Time: 42:09 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 12/12/25

UPC: 767522784626