RADWIMPS‘ Yojiro Noda just released his debut solo album.
On September 25, the RADWIMPS frontman unveiled his first solo album WONDER BOY’S AKUMU CLUB. In a press statement, it is said to mark a “new starting point for Noda’s solo artistic endeavours,” serving as “a chance for him to play around with sound and present an intimate side to his writing,” while ultimately being “a continuation of what he’s been doing his entire career.”
The album is described as “a collection of Yojiro’s personal stories, boasting a total of 13 tracks.” These include “EVERGREEN” featuring kZm,” “LAST LOVE LETTER,” “PAIN KILLER,” and “KATATOKI” — the very latter of which is collaboration track with American rapper J.I.D and was featured in the Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name video game.
The creation of the album first started when a “beatmaker named HOLLY” sent Noda a number of beats via Instagram. Upon finding the time to listen to them, they gave the veteran songwriter “tons of interesting ideas,” prompting him to ask HOLLY to send in the stems of a certain track. In between doing his duty as the chief songwriter of RADWIMPS as well as pursuing acting endeavors, Noda found opportunities to experiment with the sound that HOLLY gave him, adding in his personal touches, such as vocals.
While Noda admits that he “never intended to make an album at the start” and only being “more experimental,” this eventually resulted in WONDER BOY’S AKUMU CLUB. It became a way for him explore sonic territory he’s never approached before — notably, hip-hop and hyperpop — even in his nearly 25 years with one of the biggest Japanese rock bands. In addition, the project has also allowed Noda to create lyrics that are “more intimate and vulnerable,” as they offer “a glance into his emotional interior.”
“I want to keep focusing on making my music from my heart. I believe I can bump into something way beyond my imagination,” stated Noda. “That’s what I’ve done and learned over the last 20 years, and I’m going to keep doing that and see what happens.”
The album is available in a limited edition CD, bundles with a shirt featuring a character called AKUMU-KUN created by Noda and manga artist Posuka Demizu. Demizu is best known for being the illustrator of the popular manga series The Promised Neverland. The idea of AKUMU-KUN came from a desire of Noda’s to “express his solo project with an icon that can freely embody his music.”
To celebrate the album’s release, Yojiro Noda is set to hold special show at the Tokyo Garden Theater this September 27 (Friday). He will share the stage with collaborator kZm, as well as hip-hop mainstay Awich and alternative R&B singer iri.
Yojiro Noda is the frontman and primary songwriter for veteran J-rock band RADWIMPS, best known for their role in creating the soundtracks for the popular Makoto Shinkai films Your Name, Weathering With You, and Suzume. The band held their first ever concert in Manila last May 1 as part of their ‘The way you yawn, and the outcry of Peace’ world tour.
Listen to Yojiro Noda’s WONDER BOY’S AKUMU CLUB below: