Renowned for her melancholic, light and playful sound, Qrion's acclaimed discography ranges from supple, exploratory works to driving house and soul-sampling groovers. Whether she's putting out reflective productions or remixing for the likes of Booka Shade, Röyksopp, and Everyone You Know - her evocative productions have drawn praise across publications and dance floors globally.
This time, the Austin-based Japanese producer is back with her sophomore album entitled We Are Always Under The Same Sky on Anjunadeep. This new record signifies a rebirth of of sorts Qrion, representing the next phase of her personal and professional journey. Dealing with her struggles with addiction and recovery after her father's passing, Qrion imbues her latest LP with a profound sense of poignancy and resilience.
Beyond that, the Sapporo-born artist also celebrates female and non-binary Asian talent on We Are Always Under The Same Sky through collaborations with British-Hong Kongese singer-songwriter Josie Man alongside South Korean producer and vocalist Didi Han, while the record's gorgeous accompanying artwork was crafted by talented American-Chinese animator and designer Zee Yorke.
We caught up with Qrion to learn more about the creative process and vision behind the extraordinary new album.
'Lean into Light' ft. Pinkpirate
"This song represents the moment I found light in the darkness. When I was at my desk working on this track, I was feeling quite sad. At the time, I was overwhelmed with regret for all the years I felt I had wasted on substance abuse. But as I expressed my emotions through playing the MIDI piano, I felt a small, warm light in my mind. It was like being trapped inside a desk lamp or a tunnel and finally seeing the exit. That realization shifted my mindset. I began to focus on forgiving myself and overcoming my struggles.
Pinkpirate the singer, truly understood what I was trying to convey and wrote such beautiful lyrics. One of my favorite lines is "Memory stays.""
'Miyanosawa'
"This happened back in the spring of this year. I was on my way to visit my friend's new baby in my hometown Sapporo. I took the subway to her place and realized it was the same line I used to take when I was in high school. The final stop was Miyanosawa Station.
As I zoned out, waiting to reach the final stop, the subway moved from front to back, and I remembered how they always switch the rail before Miyanosawa. Feeling that familiar vibration brought back so many good memories from my school days. It also reminded me of how much better I’m doing mentally now.
I hope you can feel the warmth in the piano I played nspired by that moment."
'Keep on Moving Up'
"Challenging myself and stepping out of my old, unhealthy comfort zone was a huge step for me after leaving rehab. I'm still dealing with the aftereffects of substance abuse, it can make my days fluctuate between highs and lows. But all I can do is keep climbing the big mountain, one step at a time.
It’s a bit like Super Mario 64, the ultimate goal is to rescue Princess Peach, but along the way, you have to reach smaller milestones to achieve the big ending. While working on this track, I felt like I was collecting stars—each one representing a tiny achievement.
I absolutely love the artwork Zee York created for this single; it perfectly captures what I was trying to express."
'Ice Palace'
"This track takes me back to a specific moment from my childhood. Being at the snow festival with my family. Every February in Sapporo, they create massive snow sculptures, and I especially loved playing on the slides with my sister. The festival was always busy with tourists.
I vividly remember holding my dad's hand during one of those visits. Even through his gloves, I could feel the warmth of his hand. He passed away about 13 years ago, but that memory remains so clear in my mind."
'Goa'
"I was touring in India in April 2024, and I absolutely love visiting and performing there. While I was in Goa for some shows, I had a dream of playing melodies on the piano. As soon as I woke up, I tried to recreate it on MIDI.
Last year, I visited a beach called Anjuna, which is the namesake of the label Anjunadeep. India holds a special place in my heart, and I can’t wait to visit again in 2025."
'Pushing Up'
"This is a collaborative track with Australian artist Blake.08. I became a big fan of his work after discovering his Anjunadeep release, 'Happy Family ft. Soschi'.
By coincidence, we were both in London in July 2024, so I asked if we could hang out in the studio. It turned out to be one of the most fun sessions I’ve ever had with another artist. We both love breakbeats, and our relaxed, similar personalities made the ideas flow naturally. I’m really happy with how the track turned out! It’s definitely the most club-focused song on the album."
'Wayside' ft. Josie Man
"I created the rough idea for this specifically as a vocal track, and Josie absolutely nailed the lyrics. I was so happy to finally work on a vocal track, and when she sent me the vocal stems I got goosebumps.
Polishing the song with Joseph Ashworth took it to another level and really elevated the track. I can’t wait to play it in the club and cry!"
'Hush My Heart' ft. Josie Man
"I'm absolutely in love with Josie's voice. Although we exchanged stems remotely rather than having an in-person studio session, her verse turned out amazing. I love arpeggios and breakbeats, and this song feels like I put everything I love into one track.
I played it towards the end of ABGT600 in Mexico, and all my friends and Anjuna artists came up on stage, jumping and dancing behind me as the song played. It made me so genuinely happy and reminded me that I’m not alone. This track is truly special to me, and I adore it every day."
'I Like You A Lot'
"Being in a romantic relationship feels a bit scary to me now that I’m sober. I used to think I had deep love and connections with my partners, but alcohol and drugs were always part of the equation. I’m not saying those past relationships were fake or meaningless, far from it.
However when I met someone I started liking romantically, it felt very different. That experience inspired me to create this happy, warm track."
'Sad Song' ft. Didi Han
"This is the final track of the album, and it’s completely beatless. This album represents a significant awakening for me, as you might gather from the album artwork. While I’ve found a way to overcome my struggles and forgive my past, there’s still a lingering sadness connected to it all. And honestly, I’m okay with that. I’ve decided to face my issues and embrace self-acceptance for the rest of my life.
Those 10 years of substance abuse and the regret of losing my dad have become invaluable learning experiences. It’s okay to feel sad, it’s just one of the many expressions of being human.
Working on this album felt like revisiting the journey of my life, with all its ups and downs. I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to be honest and share these feelings through my music."
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