Ryoka Hagiwara makes music that sits in that rare and enviable space between worlds. Her music sidesteps the volume and velocity so beloved of pop and rock, yet it also keeps a respectful distance from the more formal sounds of the usual classical traditions. But, where the gentle accessibility of the former meets the grace and discipline of the latter, that’s where you’ll find Hagiwara—crafting beautifully understated piano pieces that speak softly but linger long.
In a Haze is precisely that, a spacious and unhurried piece, one that wanders lovely dynamic rises and falls, a series of deft keystrokes and elegant chordal movements that feel as though they are being discovered rather than composed, channelled rather than deliberate.
The beauty is that this feels like music made in the moment, shaped by instinct and intuition, inspired by an image, a memory, a place, or simply a fleeting emotion captured before it has time to fade. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth, but that is the deftness with which she delivers the music. (Although improvisational music has been a feature of her creativity, so you never know!)
Of course, there are no lyrics to point the way, no narrative signposts—just a simple title and an open invitation for the listener to find their own meaning within it.
The piece unfolds is a flow of grace and calm, built on subtle ebbs and flows, one motif gently washing into the next. There’s just enough movement to keep the music breathing and evolving, but never so much that it disturbs the tranquil spell it casts. It’s immersive without being demanding, expressive without being intrusive.
And that, ultimately, is the quiet magic of her music. The artist’s vision is only one possible interpretation, allowing space for something else, perhaps deeply personal to the listener to take root instead. This is how you speak to everyone at once: by talking not in absolutes (as lyrics must do), but emotionally and directly to the heart, and trusting each listener to translate that message in a way that fits their life.
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