Utakata

KOHTA will release a new single titled "Utakata" on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. KOHTA personally handled the lyrics, composition, arrangement, mixing, and artwork design for this song, which is a dance-pop track that embodies the spirit of youth and summer.

"Utakata" was inspired by an event that occurred when KOHTA was walking by a schoolyard. He heard someone shouting "1, 2, 3, 4" as part of their warm-up exercises, which gave him a momentary feeling of returning to his youth. He hoped that listening to "Utakata" would always allow people to return to their pure and youthful selves.

The sound of the track is based on a mid-tempo four-on-the-floor beat, with plenty of noise-laden synths and warm, rounded guitar sounds that hum pleasantly thanks to sidechain compression. The interlude and intro feature extensive use of digital sounds and soundscape effects, inviting listeners to time-slip away from the real world.

By June 2023, the chorus of "Utakata" had already taken shape, and in August of the same year, KOHTA posted a short video featuring only the chorus on social media. The video garnered 36,000 views and 1,700 likes on Instagram Reels.