Ichiko Aoba - "FLAG"

Photo by Kodai Kobayashi

Sometimes all you need is a guitar and voice. "FLAG," the latest single from Ichiko Aoba, is one of those songs. With just vocals and guitar, Ichiko Aoba has created an incredibly lush track that you'd assume would be folk but it much closer to dream pop. The entire track, which is about reflecting on life while looking at the ocean, is awash in a haze and is more ambient than Americana. The result is a breathtaking and gorgeous song that is much more layered and involved than you typically get with a completely solo track. 

You can listen to "FLAG" below. Luminescent Creatures is out February 28 on hermine / Psychic Hotline, and is available for pre-order here. For more on Ichiko Aoba, check out the artist's website. Upcoming tour dates are below the song.

Mon. Feb. 24 - Hong Kong, CN @ Xi Qu Centre, Grand Theatre [with Musicians from HK Phil]
Wed. Feb. 26 - Seoul, KR @ Sky Arts Hall (SOLD OUT)
Thu. Feb 27- Seoul, KR @ Sky Arts Hall (NEW SHOW)
Thu. March 6 - Taipei, TW @ Zhongshan Hall
Mon. March 10 - Barcelona, ES @ Paral.lel 62
Tue. March 11 - Valencia, ES @ Teatro Rambleta
Thu. March 13 - Milan, IT @ Auditorium San Fedele (SOLD OUT)
Sat. March 15 - Zurich, CH @ Mascotte
Tue. March 18 - Hamburg, DE @ Laiszhalle
Wed. March 19 - Berlin, DE @ Urania (Humboldtsaal)
Fri. March 21 - Utrecht, NL @ TivoliVredenburg (Grote Zaal)
Sun. March 23 - Groningen, NL @ Oosterpoort
Tue. March 25 - Antwerp, BE @ De Roma
Thu. March 27 - Paris, FR @ La Trianon
Mon. March 31 - London, UK @ Barbican [with 12 Ensemble] (SOLD OUT)
Wed. April 2 - Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall
Fri. April 4 - Gateshead, UK @ The Glasshouse
Sat. April 5 - Glasgow, UK @ City Halls
Thu. April 17 - Honolulu, HI @ Hawaii Theatre
Sat. April 19 - Vancouver, BC @ Chan Centre
Sun. April 20 - Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
Mon. April 21 - Seattle, WA @ The Moore
Wed. April 23 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Oakland
Sat. April 26 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern [with Wordless Music Quintet]
Sun. April 27 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern [with Wordless Music Quintet]
Tue. April 29 - Scottsdale, AZ @ Scottsdale Center
Thu. May 1 - Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre
Sat. May 3 - St. Paul, MN @ Fitzgerald Theatre (SOLD OUT)
Sun. May 4- St Paul, MN @ Fitzgerald Theatre (NEW SHOW)
Tue. May 6 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
Wed. May 7 - Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
Fri. May 9 - Detroit, MI @ Masonic Cathedral Theatre
Sat. May 10 - Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre
Mon. May 12 - Boston, MA @ Berklee Performance Center
Wed. May 14 - New York, NY @ Kings Theatre [with Wordless Music Quintet]
Sat. May 17 - Philadelphia, PA @ Miller Theatre
Sun. May 18 - Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre
Thu. May 22 - Mexico City, MX @ Teatro Metropolitan