Keep On Moving Up
By Qrion
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Today, the widely acclaimed Austin-based producer Qrion (real name Momiji Tsukada) has shared a new single from her recently announced second album We Are Always Under The Same Sky, set for release on January 17th via Anjunadeep. The single, titled “Keep On Moving Up,” is a powerful, raw house track infused with poignant lyrics that reflect her journey through sobriety. Speaking about the song, Qrion explains, "It is about hitting rock bottom and challenging myself to conquer small goals, gradually working my way up to larger ones. The lyric 'Don’t Know Where I’m Going' reflects the uncertainty of my first year of sobriety after rehab, capturing the struggle and growth of finding my path forward."
The artwork accompanying the single reflects the hills of San Francisco and Sapporo, depicting Qrion reaching for a star at the top—a nod to her determination and joy in making progress, reminiscent of the star-collecting journey in Super Mario 64. Each star represents resilience and the pursuit of something greater, embodying a step toward an ultimate goal. By openly addressing her struggles with addiction and recovery after her father's passing, Qrion imbues the theme of rebirth in We Are Always Under The Same Sky with profound poignancy and resilience. This album follows her 2021 debut album I Hope It Lasts Forever, which was hailed by Forbes as “stunning” and “a masterful production.”
In tandem with the album announcement, Qrion also released the single “Hush My Heart,” featuring South-East London’s rising star Josie Man. Anchored by energetic beats, the track is a melodic house earworm blending Qrion's emotive piano chords with arpeggio melodies and Man’s soft vocals. The song has garnered support from BBC Radio 1, featuring on Sian Eleri’s Chillest Show and Danny Howard’s Dance Party Warm-Up, with additional spins on KCRW and SXM Chill in the US. Also included on the upcoming album are the multi-layered, emotional track “Miyanosawa,” named after a town in her hometown of Sapporo, Japan, and “Ice Palace,” a recent single available on streaming platforms.
This new record signifies a rebirth for Qrion, marking the next phase of her journey. It follows her debut album, which was written as a reflection of the past. Additionally, the album celebrates female and non-binary South-East Asian talent, featuring contributions from British-Congolese singer-songwriter Josie Man and Paris-based South Korean DJ, producer, and vocalist DIDI HAN. For the album’s artwork, Qrion collaborated with American-Chinese animator and designer Zee Yorke, adding a unique visual layer to her work.
Melancholic, wistful, and dancefloor-driven, Qrion’s sound ranges from soft, exploratory pieces to driving house and soul-sampling grooves, always with a playful touch that evokes memories and emotions. From her enduring relationship with Anjunadeep to her remixes for artists like Booka Shade and Röyksopp, her music resonates with global dancefloors. It’s music for walking in the rain, driving through mountains, or reflecting on cherished memories.
Growing up in snowy Sapporo, Qrion’s father, a pianist, taught her to play from an early age. His freeform jazz experiments with chords and melodies left a lasting impression on her. By secondary school, she had fallen in love with the high-energy 2011 EDM era, which reminded her of the Japanese rock and punk music she adored. Inspired, she began creating her own music at 16, and by 18, her SoundCloud uploads led to an EP on Sapporo's SenSe label. Amid her creativity, her father’s passing left her grappling with immense sadness. At 19, an online performance caught the attention of a viewer in the US, who invited her to perform in San Francisco—a pivotal moment that eventually led her to settle in the States and pursue her passion for music.
Fast forward to today, Qrion’s music takes on a new direction, focusing on moments of joy. "It’s really therapeutic for me, playing shows and being vulnerable together with the audience," she shares. "I truly enjoy how we can connect through music."
