-Graduate-

I think about that year a lot, about all the different choices I had to make, about all the different paths I walked down to get to this place, on to this bus, in this city and country so far away from home. I think about all the different paths I didn’t have to take but took anyway. The smallest part of me knew my life would never be the same after that day in band camp. For better or for worse, though, it was my decision to reach out.

I just can’t figure out if it was for better or for worse.

Guess I’ll find out in a few short days…  

The bus ride from Kansai International Airport to Osaka is about 60 minutes. From there, it’s a 45-minute walk to Aizawa Productions. I pre-downloaded the address and directions onto my phone, so my chances of getting lost are pretty slim.

I can feel myself getting anxious anyway.

Sometimes, when my chest starts to feel like it’s filling up with helium, I take out my phone and open Apple Music. The screen-taps are innate at this point. I pop in my ear-buds and listen to the latest Leo Mondragón single.

Trapped in a town that has no roads

When out of nowhere it starts to snow.

All of these buildings, no place to go.

All of these people, no one to know.

All of this room, nowhere to grow

All of this time, nothing to show

I catch a few snowflakes.

See them there, melting in my palm

Right before my eyes and then they’re gone.

“Iridescent” is the first single from Leo’s upcoming album. It’s a mood piece that features Leo’s voice soaring over this dense and colorful sound collage.

There’s no release date yet for the new album, but Leo tweeted that the album was on track for early 2019, which is only a week or so away at this point. He also announced the title of the new album… Heterochromatic!

I feel that familiar tingle of anticipation.

I drift away a little to the music, careful not to fall asleep. Osaka Bay, with its man-made islands and busy air traffic, goes by out my left-facing window. Up ahead, I see the bustling architecture of Osaka gather round.

“Iridescent” ends and Apple Music auto-plays a song from Leo’s debut album: Suburban Blues.

“Addicted 2 U” was a viral sensation back when I was eleven. At the time, the squeaky-clean production and Leo’s angelic persona had grated against my edgy adolescent sensibilities.

Now, with its corny lyrics and heart-on-it’s-sleeve attitude, the song definitely qualified as a guilty pleasure for me.

I am addicted 2 u,

Oh, so addicted 2 u

Addicted 2 u

A- a- addicted- addicted-

Boy, I think I’m ‘bout to lose my mind.

Say, “I love you,” to me one more time.

I can’t hide it, I can’t fight it, cuz it’s true-

I’m addicted 2 u. 

I close my eyes and focus on Leo’s voice.

Playlists save lives.