AFTERGLOW

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Item Details

Genre

Japanese Pop

Catalogue Number

HRLP395

Number of Discs

Label

Lawson Entertainment, Inc.(HMV record shop)

Release Country

Japan

Format

Vinyl

Product Description

SONOMI’s latest full album AFTERGLOW is finally coming to vinyl!

Singer‑songwriter SONOMI, originally from Aomori and known for hits like “Hitori ja Nainoyo”, made her debut under the production of KREVA. This release marks her first official vinyl edition—a memorable milestone in her career.

AFTERGLOW, her first full album in 15 years and the fourth in her career, is also her first album produced independently.

“What I like is what I like; what I don’t like, I don’t like”.
Even as the times changed during the long creative process, past experiences and influences remained vividly in her heart like a lingering afterglow. As she sings on the third track “Yokan”, “High‑end ya primitive, tokidoki unbalanced ga best dattanri”, the album blends the old and the new—R&B, Hip Hop, and Pops—into a warm, hybrid sound overflowing with the things she loves.

“Nagaku Nagaku Aisaretai” is a disco‑inspired track that personifies vinyl records and describes the relationship between DJs and collectors as if it were a love story—an idea born from her roots as a DJ. “Ikenai” playfully rides a New Jack Swing beat, expressing the irresistible urge to do something precisely because it’s forbidden (the “Caligula effect”). “Doushitemo”, with its deeply resonant horn section and the message of the saying “Rumors last only seventy‑five days”, is a medium‑tempo tune marked by its heavy groove. All six tracks were produced by Goro Kumai, also from Aomori.

The lyrics—written with late‑night hours at Shibuya’s Club Bar Family in mind, the venue where both artists performed most frequently after moving to Tokyo—are sure to resonate with many listeners. “Dawn Will Soon Come”, featuring mysteriously unfolding electric piano chords reminiscent of classic soul, is co‑produced by Kumai and SONOMI.

As a hidden theme, two songs express SONOMI’s tender, almost romantic affection toward the people who come to her live shows: “Curtains wo Shimetara”, and “Setsumei Dekinai”, which reflects on the profound beauty and happiness of spending time with someone important—an insight born during the COVID‑19 pandemic. These two tracks are produced by SONOMI herself.

Influences from Hip Hop, R&B, Soul, rap, and club culture appear throughout the album, while the lyrics explore distinctive, one‑of‑a‑kind themes. The melodies and vocal arrangements emphasize the natural sound of the Japanese language, creating a unique world across all nine tracks.

The deep love for club music and record culture that resonates throughout this release truly shines through, making it a work whose charm is even more pronounced on vinyl.

Looking ahead, additional tracks previously released in other formats are also planned to be issued on vinyl. We hope you’ll look forward to seeing how SONOMI’s music continues to expand and evolve through the vinyl format.