Makoto Sawai Announces New EP Kaze and Shares Serene Lead Single "Sei"

Japanese composer and multi-instrumentalist Makoto Sawai has announced his forthcoming EP Kaze, set for release on 17 July via London-based independent label Bigo & Twigetti. Alongside the announcement, Sawai has unveiled the EP's first single, "Sei", a delicate and immersive composition that perfectly introduces the tranquil atmosphere at the heart of the new project.

Built around Sawai's signature blend of piano and saxophone, Kaze takes inspiration from the sensation of a gentle breeze, unfolding across five contemplative pieces that balance warmth, movement and subtle melancholy. The result is a collection that feels both intimate and cinematic, inviting listeners to slow down and drift with the music.

Speaking about the lead single, Sawai said: "I hope that when you listen to this song, you'll imagine a scene like relaxing under a clear blue sky, basking in the gentle sunlight and gazing up at the sky." The EP follows 2025's Weaving Time and marks Sawai's latest release for Bigo & Twigetti, a label renowned for championing boundary-pushing contemporary classical, ambient and experimental music.

Expanding on the concept behind the record, Sawai explains that Kaze was inspired by the many forms wind can take, from powerful storms to soft breezes, with this collection focusing on the latter. "It's an EP that makes you feel like you're riding on that wind, closing your eyes, and letting yourself be carried away by it as you travel to various places," he says.

Known for creating music that evokes both wanderlust and introspection, Sawai continues to carve out a unique space between contemporary classical, ambient and cinematic composition. With Kaze, he delivers another beautifully understated collection that rewards careful listening.