Twenty-two-year-old Jakob Ogawa has been releasing singles since 2016, which he first compiled as a proper EP the following year with his part-jangle-pop, part-alt-R&B collection Bedroom Tapes. Along with a significant guest spot from Clairo, the record introduced the Norwegian songwriter as an heir to the lo-fi pop throne previously inhabited by the likes of Mac DeMarco and Ariel Pink.
His brand new April EP expands upon the sounds he’s been experimenting with for years, accompanying the previously released nu-disco of “You and I” with the woozy instrumentation and warped vocals of “Atari Acid” and the orchestral avant garde of the title track. Stream all three tracks below and read along with what Ogawa had in mind for each song.
1. “You and I”
I made “You and I” while I was in a sort of happy/nostalgic state. I was in the beginning of a relationship and all these emotions and feelings I’d never felt before came to life, and I guess I was compelled to express this.
2. “Atari Acid”
“Atari Acid” is, in a way, the beginning of it all. I feel this is something most people can relate to. You know in the beginning of a relationship, when you’re unsure of what it all means? When you’re not searching for a relationship, but it’s suddenly there out of nowhere? Sometimes you just fall so hard in love that you lose yourself.
3. “April”
I wrote “April” while in some kind of a search mode—I felt lost. “April” reflects that feeling, but also that there’s still hope. You know you have to get through, but you don’t know how. You have to love yourself before you can love someone else.
