If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Yuichiro Noda Ichiko Aoba's latest single might be the single most beautiful song we've ever brought you. "SONAR" is a stripped down and lush track that merges classical guitar with pop music. Rarely is a song this minimalist while still sounding as full as Aoba has managed here. The true secret of "SONAR" is how painfully quiet it is. Most songs demand your attention with noise and volume. This one does it by how quiet it is. If you want to listen (and you truly do want to), you'll need to drop virtually everything to focus on this one. By giving "SONAR" your full attention, the listener is heartily rewarded with a stunning piece of art. You can watch the video for "SONAR" below. Luminescent Creatures is due 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 video and include a May 12 date at Berklee...

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 Ha...

Photo by Kodai Kobayashi Japanese artist Ichiko Aoba was only nineteen when she released her debut album in 2010. Besides her albums, she's also scored TV shows, films, and video games. Her latest single, "Lullaby," is as delicate as the title would suggest. Ethereal only begins to describe the song, which touches on jazz, folk, and classical. Everything in the song is gently played, and Aoba's vocals add to the gentleness of the song. "Lullaby" sounds simple, but after a few listens you realize that the simplicity is the song's secret. As sparse as it is, the song is quite lush and sneakily complex. Ichiko Aoba says of her latest single: “I composed a lullaby so creatures of all sizes might find tranquility in their sleep." You can listen to "Lullaby" below. The single is out now via hermine and Psychic Hotline. For more on Ichiko Aoba, check out the artist's website . Upcoming tour dates are below the song. Mon. Aug. 26 - Brussels, B...