A scintillating keyboard melody introduces the latest from French producer Joakim, followed by stoic saxophone bursts and, eventually, calming synths that rise from the ground like a haloing mist. On “Samurai,” the title track from Joakim Bouaziz’s forthcoming album, he asks to be relinquished from a mysterious relationship in order to reach self-growth and strengthening freedom. “To let go ain’t easy, but we try/ Why don’t you set me free/ Why don’t you let me be/ And I’ll become a great samurai,” he sings persuasively. It’s a modestly epic single full of percussive curiosities. Listen below, where you can also watch the video for prior single “Numb.”

Check out Joakim on tour:

03/17 Milano, IT @ Rollover
03/18 London, UK @ The Nest
03/25 Amsterdam, NL @ Paradiso
03/30 Paris, FR @ Salo
03/31 Paris, FR @ Salo
04/01 Paris, FR @ Salo
04/28 Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory (live)
05/05 Amsterdam, NL @ Thuishaven
07/21 Kiev, UA @ Closer

Samurai is out 3/17 on Joakim’s label Tigersushi. Pre-order it here.