Maya Akechi & Nagisa Murakami’s ‘Gentle Connection’

Note: for track titles, this article will use both the Japanese titles and the official English translations which may not be direct translations from Japanese.

Nagisa Murakami’s voice is moving all on its own. There’s a beauty and warmth just in the way that she sings. Whether it’s her stunning patrons at coffee shops early in her career with just her voice and her guitar, or more recent, built-out sound, there’s a power in each song she creates. Her 2025 EP No Reason is completely captivating, and ranges from solo acoustic tracks to “裏庭” (Uraniwa / Backyard), an upbeat folk track with pedal steel underscoring everything. It’s even got this wonderful gem of a title track. There’s so much great stuff in her catalog and really worth checking out.

Maya Akechi is one half of the creative duo that makes up The Tiva. They’re a band that defies classification. On their 2022 record On This Planet, they play an infectious folk-inspired stomper “Mother Bear” into a spacey groove that includes a laser gun solo. What’s undeniable about their sound is its power. Emotionally driven tracks like “Through The Dark” and “Go Back Our Home” show the raw power of Akechi’s voice, even when singing songs she didn’t write (the latter was written by Tiva drummer Sachi).

In August, Murakami and and Akechi released a collaborative record (and book – read further for more info on that) , 柔らかい縁 (Gentle Connection). Two incredible voices become one on the record, and it happens right from the moment it starts. “縁” (Connection) features Murakami humming and singing wordlessly as Akechi whistles along. “こんにちは”(Hello) continues the record’s warm welcome, with some gorgeous acoustic guitar, Murakami and Akechi exchange vocal leads, even swapping the song’s chorus throughout. It’s just a wonderful introduction to the voices of both songwriters.

The next track ,”すべての夜と朝に” (Each Night and Every Morning) is a Murakami track, with some gently fingerpicked guitar and her voice effortlessly floating above. “うさぎ” (Rabbit) is a beautifully haunting track with both Akechi and Murakami singing together. If there were a standout track, this would be it.

Up next is the Akechi track, “考え方” (The Way of Thinking). Like her work with The Tiva, Akechi sings in English, and it’s a powerful shift on the record. It’s a song about being open minded, and realizing a true version of one’s self. It’s followed up by “涙を小瓶に” (My Tears in a Tiny Bottle) which features Murakami on lead, and Akechi providing harmonies. Then there’s the upbeat “あせらないあせらない” (Don’t Rush, Don’t Rush). Breaking things up is the spoken word “私は私を諦めない” (I Will Never Give Up On Myself) featuring both Akechi and Murakami speaking simultaneously.

Then there’s “溝” (The Rift) which was paired with “うさぎ” as a single released early on. This track features some nice light drum work and may be Akechi’s strongest vocal performance on the record. I really love the guitar on this track, too, and especially when Akechi joins in on banjo at the end. Lyrically, it’s powerful, about honesty, vulnerability, and life.

“違和感” (Discomfort), despite its name has an upbeat guitar part to it. And that’s really the theme of Gentle Connection as a whole. Two friends, with complete trust in each other, musically, and in general. To help each other work through the tougher times. The music is actually only part of what Murakami and Akechi have created as Gentle Connection. The album is a companion to a book of the same name. It’s a diary that is a collection of poems and stories from both songwriters as they navigate struggle, difficulties, everyday life, and try to find support. In an Instagram post, Murakami describes it as “Memories of childhood, daily discomfort, working ways, wounds and care, dealing with anger, and sadness, issues of gender and discrimination.” And that’s echoed on “わたしの友達” (Friends of Mine).

“While I Am Dancing” is the only track on the record with an English title, and the lyrics, sung by Akechi are as well. It’s a relatable track, about working through pain, sleepless nights, and the scars of a relationship.

While I am dancing I see you there behind
You stealing and hiding and lying to me
One day I’ll be free from the way you deny me
Then I’ll forgive you but my scars won’t be healed

The record ends similarly to how it started, with just Akechi and Murakami’s voices in a brief, and gorgeous “こつこつ” (Bit By Bit). I wish my Japanese skills were good enough to really understand more of this record, especially its ending. Musically, it’s gorgeous, and the few English translations paired with the English songs do give quite a bit of context about how personal and tender of a record this is. It truly is a record of two artists sharing a beautiful, gentle connection, one of trust, and the ability to work through the darkness, the hard moments, and trauma together.

I try to shy away from comparing artists to other artists on here, but I can’t help but feel these songs fit alongside so many songs I love – like “Triple Seven” by Japanese Breakfast, or the entire Tender Warriors Club EP by Lady Lamb. Music to get you through the hard stuff, to feel like someone’s in your corner. A Gentle Connection.

(Note: I hope one day to get my hands on the book that this CD complements. I’d also love to revisit this after having that context. But with the current situation of getting things from Japan to the US, it’s a difficult situation)

Listen to Gentle Connection
Buy Gentle Connection (book)

Connect with Nagisa Murakami: insta / lit.link / shop

Connect with Maya Akechi: insta / solo music / The Tiva insta / Maya & The Elephant in the Room