It has been announced that WON’s new song Unique will be featured as an insert song in Dragalia Lost™, an action role-playing smartphone game developed by Cygames and published by Nintendo. The track will also be released on digital music platforms on May 28, 2021. Unique is a groovy number with an electro sound and emotional, heart-clenching vocals. It was composed and arranged by TAKU INOUE. The song will be released in-game on May 28, so players listen out for it.

It has been announced that a new album compiling the in-game event music from Dragalia Lost will be released on June 30, 2021. Dragalia Lost is an action role-playing smartphone game developed by Cygames and published by Nintendo.   The two-disc album features artists such as TAKU INOUE, ANCHOR, SiN, Shūhei Mutsuki, Sekihan, M･A･O, BlooDye, Setsuko (from Kuhaku Gokko), Takayoshi Tanimoto, Shiki Aoki, Megumi Ogata, Hironao Nagayama, and more. The first disc features 16 tracks while the second has 22 instrumental tracks. It also comes with a lyric booklet and 60-page artbook. Each copy of the album is also coupled with an application ticket to receive an in-game item.DRAGALIA LOST SONG COLLECTION is a must-grab for fans of the game.

DAOKO released her new music video for anima, the title track taken from her 4th studio album which dropped on July 29, 2020. The song was written in collaboration with Japanese musician Shohei Amimori. The music video was directed by OSRIN of PERIMETRON and features dancing from Aoi Yamada.   DAOKO - "anima" Music Video

Speaking about the new music video, DAOKO released the following statement.  

DAOKO | Comment

"I invited dancer Aoi Yamada on board, and worked together with the director OSRIN to express a sense of anima and animism. Me and Shohei Amimori played around lots with sounds and words together. The song is like a ticket into a new world :) Please, enjoy yourself!"

The CD cover for DAOKO's upcoming 4th album anima, which was announced last week and for which pre-orders opened today, has been revealed. The illustration was drawn by Shihatsu-chan. DAOKO is set to release anima initially on June 24, 2020 across music subscription and download services before it hits shelves as a CD on July 29, 2020. The record comes as her first album since Shiteki Ryoko dropped back in December 2018.   anima will also be released with Limited Edition and Regular Edition copies. The album is being co-produced by DAOKO herself and Akito Katayose (GREAT3) who was also the sound producer for DAOKO’s self-titled album—her first to be released from a major label.   The 12-track album invites a diverse range of track makers and musicians on board who DAOKO respects. Songs will see a return to DAOKO’s iconic rap style, as well as enter new territory for the singer.  

DAOKO | Comment

"I first encountered Shihatsu-chan's work on Twitter. It was love at first sight. Her art makes me feel somehow nostalgic and lonely... but it also feels close and warm. The penny dropped when I actually got to meet Shihatsu-chan. She's a very warm and kind person in real life. I grew to love her work even more. The scenery we saw when we took a stroll together through Shibuya became the basis for the album artwork. It's wonderful, I felt a wave of emotions seeing it. It fits the outlook of the song perfectly and itself is an important part of this record. I'm honoured to have come together with her, so I'd like to thank her. I want to see your work enlarged, so now I want an art book of your work!"）  

Shihatsu-chan | Comment

"When I went to see DAOKO live, her music touched my heart. She's powerful, transient. As I watched her, she shone brighter than any one, and in my heart I knew I had to draw something for her. And she let me. Every piece I do is my best - I put my all into all of them. I hope you enjoy the artwork alongside DAOKO's wonderful music."

Japanese singer DAOKO is set to release her fourth album anima initially on June 24, 2020 across music subscription and download services before it hits shelves as a CD on July 29, 2020. The record comes as her first album since Shiteki Ryoko dropped back in December 2018.   The album is being co-produced by DAOKO herself and Akito Katayose (GREAT3) who was also the sound producer for DAOKO's self-titled album—her first to be released from a major label.   The 12-track album invites a diverse range of track makers and musicians on board who DAOKO respects. Songs will see a return to DAOKO's iconic rap style, as well as enter new territory for the singer.   First Press Limited Edition copies of anima are coupled with a DVD featuring DAOKO's concert at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM held in February this year as part of her "2020 Otogi no Mitoshi Tour." A new artist photo of DAOKO has also been released in promotion of her new album. The photo was taken by Shinkai Baba who also worked together with DAOKO on an exhibition held at Ebisu KATA.  

DAOKO | Comment

"When I heard the final mastered version of my album 'anima,' I teared up. The album is intertwined with philosophical ideas, something which I often think about. It has an amazing sound. I felt beauty from my heart. The album is one which helps brings the light closer—a light which until now could only be seen from a distance—and one which illuminates the path ahead. I'm thankful from the bottom of my heart to all the musicians [involved] whom I admire and respect, and who helped me find a new DAOKO. This album saved me, and I hope it becomes a ray of light to those who hear it."    

Akito Katayose | Comment

"Her words stir my heart, and her voice brings about a fiery pleasure to my ears. DAOKO has been special since I met her when she was 17-years-old. Her talent is endless, and it shows on this album. She feels liberated on it. It was an incredible experience to work with her [...] as well as all of the wonderful musicians who followed along, including my former friend John McEntire. I hope this beautiful and curious album echoes as a source of strength to all the unstable hearts and the world."

DAOKO released her last single Otogi no Machi in February this year and promoted it with a mini solo tour in Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo.Her new single and the second of 2020, Ocharaketayo, was released yesterday on March 25, and features Indonesian hitmaker pxzvc. It is a coming together of cultures to bring listeners next generation music.The song is a response to the speed of Tokyo’s urban development, and expresses her feeling of impatience, which cannot be put into words, at her own pace.   This is a must-listen for fans of DAOKO, an artist who just keeps on expanding her scope of expression.