In a captivating musical journey, Hachiku, the project of Australia-via-Germany-via-Detroit artist Anika Ostendorf, has released her gossamery alt-pop single "Keep On Swimming" and a Swan Lake-inspired music video. This track is the third release off Hachiku's sophomore record, "The Joys of Being Pure at Heart," set to debut on February 28 via Marathon Artists.

Navigating the Bittersweet Tides of Displacement

Crystalline Melodies and Emotional Honesty

Hachiku's "Keep On Swimming" is a delicate and ethereal offering, with sparkling synth eddies and gentle harp brushes weaving through the track. Ostendorf's crystalline voice takes center stage as she explores her own sense of self and the challenges of being so far from home. The song reflects on the pandemic-era dilemma of "trying to make up my mind whether I'd be more successful swimming from Australia back to Germany or digging a tunnel through the earth." This relatable daydream resonates with anyone who has experienced the bittersweet pangs of living halfway across the globe from their loved ones.

The Masochism of Distant Goodbyes

Ostendorf explains the emotional complexity behind the track, stating, "There's a certain self-inflicted heartache in the repeated goodbyes and the masochism of choosing to move to the other side of the world—always wondering and worrying, yet holding onto the belief that it was for good reason." This sentiment is beautifully captured in the confident grace of the track, which builds to a whirlwind breakdown on the bridge, with glitching voices and smashing percussion swirling in dancefloor-ready chaos.

Nostalgia's Ethereal Radiance

The music video for "Keep On Swimming," co-directed by Tom Mannion and Caity Moloney, perfectly encapsulates the track's ethereal essence. Filmed in Berlin, the video features Ostendorf sunbathing next to her swan compatriots by the Neukölln canals and Schlachtensee. Every object is ringed with a fuzzy halo of light, mirroring the way nostalgia can make the memories of a distant home seem just a bit brighter than reality.

Hachiku's Artistic Evolution

Ostendorf's journey with Hachiku has been marked by a deep emotional honesty and a commitment to exploring the complexities of displacement and personal growth. Her work at Milk! Records in Naarm/Melbourne, alongside artists like Courtney Barnett, has undoubtedly influenced her tender and introspective songwriting. With the release of "The Joys of Being Pure at Heart," Hachiku continues to captivate audiences with her unique blend of alt-pop and ethereal soundscapes, inviting listeners to embark on a bittersweet odyssey of their own.