Aaron Koenig’s song “IKIGAI” immediately wins you over with a relaxed kind of confidence. It combines elements of blues, funk, rock and a bit of Afro-swing. The song has an energetic tempo yet never seems hurried. Its rhythmic bass line provides the track with its character, while the rhythm guitar keeps everything tight and straightforward. The lead guitar contributes a lot of personality, particularly during the lively solo that occurs when the song opens up. The drums have a loose and natural feel which helps the song progress without making the production sound overly refined. Koenig’s voice also matches the song well since it’s not intended to display a wide vocal range; instead, his delivery is direct and conversational, suitably reflecting the message. The entire production possesses a warm, live-band atmosphere and you can clearly hear the musicians interacting with one another rather than imagining that each part was created separately in a studio.
The song centres on the Japanese concept of ikigai, which can be regarded as a feeling of purpose or a valid reason for getting up every day. Koenig links this idea to his own life as a musician, an entrepreneur, and as a self-defined “Jack of all trades”. It examines work, passion, ability, usefulness and earning a living without insisting that life must follow a single, fixed route. A key point is the line “You’ll never catch me playing the same game” since it very well captures the song’s attitude. There’s also a pleasant aspect in the simplicity of the lyrics; rather than attempting to turn a basic idea into a complex philosophical discourse, the message is conveyed through the rhythm and the repeated chorus. The chorus in particular is very catchy and is the kind of section that will make you hum after the song has ended. It is this blend of a serious theme with a relaxed musical style that gives the song its individuality.
In my view, the main strength of the song is its optimism without becoming excessively sentimental; it comes across as if composed by someone who has experimented with various styles, changed course, and has come to see having a number of interests as a strength rather than a weakness. The groove means that it’s ideal for listening to while driving, during a workout, on a sunny afternoon, or even on a busy workday when you need a bit of a mood lift. People who enjoy blues-rock, funk, rootsy guitar music and positive songwriting should discover plenty to like in this song. It is also reasonable that Koenig has decided in recent years to concentrate more on music. “IKIGAI” reflects an artist who is at ease with keeping things simple and allowing the song to do the work; it is catchy, cheerful and pleasant to spend time with, yet there is sufficient thought in the lyrics to give it an extra quality. Rather than pretending to have all the answers regarding how to find purpose, it seems to be an invitation to keep experimenting until you find what suits you.
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