Maya Unagi ‘Stumbling’ - Subtle, Soulful, and Stirring

Maya Unagi’s latest single “Stumbling” is a masterclass in restraint, a softly-lit meditation that trades spectacle for soul. Drawing from her rich heritage as a South Asian-American artist and her eclectic musical grounding in jazz, R&B, and classical traditions, Unagi crafts a sound that feels deeply lived-in yet forward-facing. This is music made with intention—and on “Stumbling,” every note lands like a quiet truth.

There’s a tactile warmth to the production, guided with care by Curran Sinha (Noname, Common), and elevated by the contributions of Karim Hutton’s plush bass and Sara Kawai’s evocative harp work. Unagi, who composed and produced the track herself, lays down soft piano lines and breathes life into the melody with her characteristically delicate vocal tone. The result is a track that unfurls slowly, like light spilling into a dim room.

But “Stumbling” isn’t simply pretty—it’s purposeful. Lyrically, Unagi leans into vulnerability with remarkable control, sketching out the messiness of self-forgiveness and transformation without ever slipping into cliché. It’s the sort of song that feels like a conversation between versions of yourself, past and present, held together by a fragile thread of hope.

While much of the industry remains consumed with immediacy and image, Unagi walks a different path—one defined by patience and precision. “Stumbling” is the antithesis of clickbait pop: it doesn't beg for attention, it earns it over time. You don’t just hear it—you inhabit it.

As a prelude to her forthcoming EP Pieces, due in July, “Stumbling” suggests that Maya Unagi is quietly assembling a body of work that refuses to be rushed. And in doing so, she may just be carving out one of the most emotionally rich sonic spaces of 2025.

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