There’s a moment in love when everything feels too intense—when your heart races, your words stumble, and instead of stepping forward, you instinctively pull away. That fleeting, fragile emotion pulses at the core of Datto 脱兎, the mesmerizing new single from rising singer-songwriter KeNN. Released on 16 July at midnight, the track takes its name from the Japanese phrase meaning “a rabbit darting off,” perfectly encapsulating that breathless, nervous energy of infatuation—when you’re so desperate to be your best self that you end up unraveling instead.
Set against a smooth, understated beat and carried by KeNN’s warm, tender vocals, Datto isn’t a song about heartbreak or confession, but the suspended moment just before anything happens. It’s the dizzying rush of a crush so overwhelming, it makes you want to run—not from dislike, but from the sheer vulnerability of being seen. The accompanying music video, dropping 23 July, brings this feeling to life through the story of a boy so paralyzed by his emotions around someone he likes that his only instinct is to flee, secretly hoping they’ll chase after him. Cold hands, a pounding heart, the fear of being too obvious—KeNN captures it all with aching sincerity, turning youthful awkwardness into something poetic and universal.
Blending Japanese and English lyrics with soft R&B grooves and dreamy pop melodies, Datto feels like a late-night whisper, intimate and honest. Whether you’re in high school, rediscovering love, or simply reminiscing about the crushes that once made your world stop, the song’s gentle vulnerability resonates deeply.
Born in the small Hokkaido town of Engaru, KeNN grew up surrounded by music—his parents were both DJs, and by junior high, he was teaching himself guitar, piano, bass, and drums through YouTube tutorials. What began as bedroom covers shared online soon blossomed into a devoted following, with his soulful voice and distinctive arrangements amassing over 39K YouTube subscribers and 50K TikTok fans. After moving to Tokyo, he made his official debut last December with Moonlight, a collaboration with producer TiMT. Now, with Datto 脱兎, KeNN solidifies his sound—a blend of nostalgia, warmth, and raw emotion—proving he’s an artist who doesn’t just sing about feelings, but makes you feel them too.
Adreena is a writer from Nagano, Japan, but is now residing in Singapore. She mostly writes music news and reviews, but in her spare time, she likes writing fiction and poems.