another dawn

The journey that began with "eternal lands" -my first attempt at writing both music and lyrics -continued through "cloud and twilight"and "morning fog" Now, with "another dawn", it reaches its fourth chapter.

Each time, I start by composing the music, then decide who will sing it. And yet, for the fourth time in a row, I found myself drawn once again to the voice of Sakoo-the remarkable singer Sakurako Takagi.
The spark for this song came when a teacher friend asked if I could write a song to be performed at a middle school graduation. That request became the seed of Another Dawn.

In Japanese, there's a word "kadode" -meaning a new departure, or the start of one's journey. In my own work, surrounded every day by young and brilliant talents, I often sense their blend of anxiety and curiosity toward the future -an earnest determination that feels both fragile and powerful.
As adults, when we witness these recurring "departures" that seem almost part of nature's rhythm, all we can truly do is send them off with a smile. There's nothing else we can -or should -do.

The cover photo was taken on my flight home from Shanghai, during a composing trip. The sunrise seen from the plane became a symbol of this song. For them, this "departure" is their new dawn -a connection to other worlds. I hope this song becomes an anthem of encouragement for all those stepping bravely into the unknown.

Composer
Hiroki Takayanagi
https://hiroki.st/profile-en/