UMI Guides Human Souls to a “Forest in the City” in Seattle
by Storm Nguyen || photographed on May 28
On May 26, 23-year-old R&B and Neo Soul artist UMI released her official debut album “Forest in the City." However, the city of Seattle is no stranger to UMI’s extensive body of work. With a hauntingly eclectic sound and enchanting voice, the Seattle native’s aura and energy have captivated her fans with honest lyrics and healing sonics. UMI kicked off their Forest in the City Tour at Neumos in the Rainy City on May 28, paying tribute to their upbringing.
The show began with an entrancing set from the UCLA student-upcoming artist Saya Mosaic, who performed her R&B-Neo Soul tracks including “THERAPIST” and “ON + OFF." The youthful and energetic performer brought a hypnotic presence to the Neumos stage, each track equipped with intricate production quality and distinct musicality. Saya’s sound was reminiscent of a hip-hop and soul fusion, drawing imagination from an abstract and conceptual realm of music. Notably, the Japanese-soul twist with a 90’s hip hop influenced production of “ON + OFF” drew in the Seattle crowd. Saya’s incredible ability to sway her audience with a dynamic set list embodied her vibrant artistic essence.
After Saya’s unforgettable set, the show transitioned to UMI, who began their performance by leading the audience in a guided meditation. The practice was a breath of fresh air, consistent with the organic spirit of a “Forest in the City” and keeping true to UMI’s roots as a musician, who has notably led her audience in guided meditations with every show she performs.
The show began with the apologetic lead single “sorry." The lighting setup produced a mellow yet sorrowful atmosphere with light blue, sage green, and purple tones. The mood resonated with me as I watched UMI captivate the crowd with their stunning vocal prowess.
UMI’s set list sported multiple of her hits, including “Down to Earth,” “Remember Me,” and “Love Affair.” Throughout the rest of the night, I couldn’t help but feel at calming peace with the world and more connected to UMI as an individual. It was a magical experience to see the hometown glory seemingly pay homage to their roots. By starting their tour in Seattle, UMI again reflected how thoughtful they orchestrated every aspect of the album and overall experience.
The multi-talented visionary has gone a long way, and it has been an experience watching the hitmaker evolve and allowing her fans to follow her along inside her mind. For we truly got to see what it meant to dream inside UMI’s “Forest in the City.”
Saya Mosaic
