Ena Mori on Why Being Honest and “Clueless” Helps Shape Her New Music

In her guest appearance on Once and Always a Fanboy, Ena Mori shared how her songwriting process has changed while working on her new EP Ore. Known for her unique indie pop sound and honest lyrics, Mori explained that she now gives herself more freedom to explore ideas without feeling like she always needs to provide clear answers in her songs.

While she has always hoped her music could help listeners in some way, Mori said she now allows herself to be more open, honest, and even unsure during the writing process. Instead of trying to guide listeners toward a specific message, she embraces moments of feeling uncertain, trusting that listeners can still connect with the emotion behind the song. As she shared in the interview, “My North Star is no longer how am I going to give a helping hand.” She added that she now allows herself to be “raw… reckless and clueless at times” when writing, believing that honesty can still resonate with listeners who may also be figuring things out for themselves.

Rather than always trying to follow trends, which she understands exist for a reason, Mori focuses on creating music that she personally finds exciting and meaningful. She believes listeners can tell when an artist truly believes in what they are making, and that kind of honesty helps people connect with the music. “What works for me is really sticking with what I think is cool,” Mori explained. She shared that authenticity plays an important role in her creative decisions, adding that “people catch on to the authenticity of artists” when they feel the music genuinely reflects what the artist believes in.

In today’s music landscape, where social media and streaming numbers often influence what becomes popular, staying true to one’s creative voice can sometimes feel challenging. Mori shared that trusting her instincts has helped her stay grounded as an artist while continuing to grow and experiment with her sound. For her, creating music that feels honest is also a way of showing respect to the people who listen. As she put it, “Every time I release something, it is something that’s coming from the heart… it’s my way of respecting my audience.”

By allowing vulnerability to guide her songwriting, Mori continues to build a sound that feels true to who she is as an artist. It’s an approach that reflects the spirit of Ore, where honesty and creative freedom play a big role in shaping the music. As she continues to release new music, Mori shows that sometimes not having all the answers can still lead to meaningful connection with listeners who may be feeling the same way.

Watch the full Ena Mori interview on Once and Always a Fanboy.

Photo courtesy of Offshore Music PH