Spindle Radar: UMI Discusses Her Latest Album, People Stories, And The Power Of Vulnerability

UMI is back and better than ever with her heartfelt and candid sophomore album, people stories. Born and raised in Seattle, music has been a driving force in the young talent’s life since childhood, thanks to her multicultural, musically inclined family. Due to her immersive background, UMI’s love for music grew, leading her to share original acoustic songs and covers on SoundCloud.

After years of honing her craft, the multifaceted artist made her official industry debut with ‘Happy Again’ in 2017. Since then, UMI has continued to captivate music listeners with her stunning storytelling abilities and genre-bending sound that draws inspiration from neo-soul, folk, R&B, and pop. In August 2025, the ‘SHOW ME OUT’ singer released her most personal and expansive record yet with people stories. Inspired by the stories of her loved ones and fans, the album peels back the layers of the human experience and “the surprising inner connectedness of our life stories.”

“The higher purpose of creating this album was to remind humanity how similar we are in our struggles, experiences, and questions,” UMI tells SPINDLE. “We often forget this because we don’t really talk to each other as deeply as I feel we must.” With people stories finally out in the world, we chat with UMI about her creative process for the record, why she wanted to include audio from her therapy sessions, what she hopes fans take away, and so much more.

First of all, congratulations on the release of your sophomore album, people stories! How does it feel to have it finally out in the world?

It feels great to have this album out in the world! It’s been such a journey.

The record opens with the philosophical track ‘SOMETIMES,’ which sees you exploring the idea of happiness. Why did you want this track to kick-start people stories?

This album is a time capsule of the human experience from 2023 to 2025. I wanted to open with ‘SOMETIMES’ because I feel humanity is struggling with happiness right now. Perhaps there will be a time, 20 or 100 years from now, when happiness will be as easy as breathing. And when that time comes, it will be important to be able to see how we got there.

The song also includes one of a handful of recorded conversations between you and your therapist. Why was it important for you to include these clips on the record?

The higher purpose of creating this album was to remind humanity how similar we are in our struggles, experiences, and questions. We often forget this because we don’t really talk to each other as deeply as I feel we must. We are scared of vulnerability – yet our sense of safety with each other relies on our ability to be vulnerable with one another.

I wanted to inspire vulnerability with those recordings. Maybe a listener might say, ‘If UMI can put her therapy sessions out for the world to hear, I can tell my friend how I’m really feeling. Or tell a stranger they look nice and why.’ This is needed in the world

One thing that makes this album so fantastic is the coming-of-age and candid journey you crafted. From romance and heartbreak to self-reflection and self-love, you unapologetically show every layer of yourself. When you were crafting people stories, what was your ultimate vision for the album? What story did you personally want to tell?

These stories were inspired by my fans and loved ones. My vision was to craft an honest album about the human experience & to express myself in greater ways. I didn’t want to stick to one genre – I wanted the stories to guide me to the sounds and melodies needed to tell their story. In doing so, I got to share more of my gifts and sounds. I got to expand what UMI means.

This album has such a rich and diverse sound. We have a synth-driven 80s pop-esque production on ‘THE LIMIT’ (which you co-produced), the guitar-driven Americana/folk vibe on ‘THE UNIVERSE’, a classic R&B sound on ‘RIGHT/WRONG’, and the comforting neo-soul production on ’10 AM.’ Can you take us through the average studio session for you and your team? Where did you record the album? What was your goal sonically when it came to crafting people stories?

This album was crafted mostly at my home studio – which is really not that fancy. I did it on purpose because I wanted the album to not feel perfect but to feel real. Every session, I would go on Discord or Instagram and ask my fans to send me stories of various topics that matched my mood that day. If I’m happy – send me love stories, if I’m sad – tell me about a recent mental breakdown.

The album was executive produced by V Ron. She helped me to take these stories into sounds (along with some amazing collaborators as well). I use colors to help me craft music. I may read a story from a fan that feels blue – then I’d work with V Ron to find the chords and sounds that felt blue to me. She was phenomenal to work with because her sensitivity to sound and ability to play many instruments gave me the freedom to patiently craft unique songs. She’s helped me to discover more of UMI.

We have to chat about your collaboration with 6LACK on ‘HARD TRUTHS.’ How did this team-up come to fruition? And what was your guys’ creative process like making the song?

It began with running into each other at a rooftop jam a few years ago. We became friends and would pop out whenever we were on tour in each other’s town. We eventually started to send music to each other – and one day 6lack sent me a verse to “HARD TRUTHS” while I was on the road touring. I remember I was in Texas in the car when he sent it. It was so exciting to hear how he interpreted the song. We went back and forth, working on the song and adding layers together for a few months and boom, we finished it!

I also want to highlight your Japanese verse in ‘MANGO STICKY RICE,’ which is one of my favourite tracks off the record. Would you ever consider recording an album fully in Japanese?

Yes! I definitely would – I’m actually thinking of making a Japanese EP or album one day. Thank you for highlighting that song as well! It’s one of my favourite records too – it just feels so playful and genuine. Like, no hiding.

The record also took me so long to finish because I couldn’t think of a second verse. It was when I decided to use Japanese that I was able to find the words to complete this song.

People stories felt like a comforting and reassuring hug from start to finish. It seemed like you gave the listeners the space to reflect on life’s messiness, but with a nonjudgmental lens. How do you personally want fans to feel after listening to the album?

Exactly how you feel is how I would like fans to feel… Comforted, reassured, inspired! I want this album to help people make peace with all of life. That is one key to true happiness.

Between the release of Forest in the City and people stories, how have you changed as an artist and a person?

I think I’ve become more of myself. I’ve healed and shed a lot of the beliefs that were never mine, and because of that, it’s freed me to be more fearless and colourful. My music is so unique because it follows my growth. My music is an extension of me – and I feel through being myself, people can perhaps experience more of themselves too. It’s hard to put to words – but it’s more internal than external that has made the shift in these albums.

Your current music era has been so iconic. You’ve treated fans to incredible music videos (including your new visual for ‘RIGHT/WRONG’) and a dynamic new album. Can we expect a people stories tour? Or a batch of performances in the near future? Can you tease any deets?

People can expect more music. Maybe shows and fan events like U+MI. These are opportunities for fans to make friendships within my fan community and be taken on an experience with me. These experiences range from meditations, hikes, parties, and karaoke. It’s really just about spending time with people [who have] shared interests. I’m also working on a deluxe and some more special treats.

At this current moment, I’m taking some time now to learn about who I am because releasing an album in itself is a spiritual experience. And it’s made me dig deep.

Looking ahead, what’s the next big career goal and personal goal that you want to achieve?

Honestly, right now I want to learn how to be happy. To not be scared to enjoy my life or who I am or where I am on my journey. I feel this happiness is necessary for me to enjoy what’s to come.

Check out UMI’s sophomore album people stories here or below!