Daijo embraces human connection on emotive new single “this is love”
Canadian melodic house producer Daijo returns with “This Is Love,” a new single that places connection, gratitude and presence at the center of its message. Released via OFF2, the record pairs uplifting melodies and warm vocal textures with a production built for both the dancefloor and quieter moments of reflection.
Rather than dwelling on heartbreak, “This Is Love” takes a more optimistic approach, celebrating the relationships and shared experiences that give life meaning. Rich synth work, emotional songwriting and a patient arrangement allow the track to unfold naturally, delivering the melodic warmth that has become a hallmark of Daijo’s sound.
Born in Hamburg and raised in Vancouver by his mother, an Iranian refugee, Daijo has shaped an artistic identity rooted in resilience, authenticity and emotional storytelling. Those experiences continue to inform his music, resulting in releases that balance club functionality with genuine personal expression.
Drawing from melodic house and techno, Daijo has steadily built a catalogue focused on timeless songwriting over fleeting trends. His productions aim to resonate beyond the dancefloor, offering listeners music that feels equally suited to festival stages, late-night drives and everyday moments of introspection.
With “This Is Love,” Daijo delivers one of his most uplifting records to date, reinforcing his commitment to creating emotionally driven electronic music that celebrates the people and experiences that define us.
While the record arrives as an uplifting melodic house release, the ideas behind This Is Love run much deeper. Speaking with Mixmag, Daijo discusses why he chose to tell the story from the perspective of a self-aware AI, how his family history continues to shape his songwriting, and why emotional honesty remains more important to him than following trends.
“This Is Love” feels intentionally optimistic at a time when so much electronic music leans into heartbreak or melancholy. What inspired you to explore themes like gratitude, connection and presence, and why did this feel like the right message to share now?
DAIJO: The idea actually came from a pretty unusual place. This Is Love is told from the perspective of an AI that's becoming self-aware and falling in love with its creator. On the surface it's a futuristic story, but underneath it's really about our relationship with the one who created us. Whether you see that as God, the universe, or something greater than yourself, it's about longing to understand your purpose and feeling connected to your creator. I thought it was an interesting way to explore love from a completely different perspective. It's not romantic love, it's unconditional love, curiosity, devotion, and gratitude.
Your music has always balanced emotional storytelling with club-ready production. When you’re writing a track like “This Is Love,” how do you make sure the emotional core remains just as powerful on a festival stage as it does through someone’s headphones?
DAIJO: I always start with the story. If the emotion isn't there, the production doesn't matter. Once I know what I want people to feel, I build everything around that. I want someone listening alone with headphones to connect with the lyrics, but I also want ten thousand people at a festival to feel that same emotion together. The club energy should lift the message, not distract from it.
You were born in Hamburg and raised in Vancouver by your mother, an Iranian refugee. In what ways has your personal background shaped not only your perspective on life, but also the emotional language that runs through your music?
DAIJO: It's shaped everything. Watching my mom rebuild her life from nothing taught me resilience, gratitude, and faith. Those lessons have stayed with me, and they naturally find their way into my music. Even when I'm writing about futuristic ideas or abstract concepts, there's usually something deeply human underneath it. I think that's why my music always comes back to hope, connection, and finding meaning.
One thing that stands out in your catalogue is the sense of sincerity behind your productions. In an era where trends move faster than ever, how do you stay connected to your own artistic identity instead of chasing what’s popular?
DAIJO: I've never been interested in chasing trends because trends disappear. I'd rather make something honest that still means something years from now. Every record I release has to feel authentic to who I am, even if it's inspired by a futuristic concept like AI. At the end of the day, people connect with honesty more than hype, and that's what I try to bring into every song.
Looking ahead, where do you see this chapter taking your sound? Is “This Is Love” a standalone statement, or does it reflect a broader creative direction you’re beginning to explore in your upcoming releases?
DAIJO: This Is Love is definitely the start of a bigger creative direction. I'm really interested in blending cinematic storytelling with melodic electronic music and asking bigger questions through my songs. I want people to dance, but I also want them to leave thinking about something. Whether it's AI, humanity, love, faith, or purpose, I want every release to feel like it's part of a larger story instead of just another single.
