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."

Tokyo-bred singer and rapper DAOKO just dropped the music video for her new song Otogi no Machi which was released as a digital single just yesterday (January 15). Check it out below.   DAOKO - "Otogi no Machi" MUSIC VIDEO

In the video, DAOKO plays the role of an 'OL'—a Japanese abbreviation for an office ladyーworking somewhere in the city. Tired from work, she drags her tired body through the night-wrapped downtown streets. Awaiting her at the club she arrives at is blaring music and bright lights. When she steps back outside, the worldーwhich before was black and white for herーnow has colour to it, expressing the fact that music can bring colour to our ordinary lives. The scenes and outfit were all conceived by DAOKO herself, making this DAOKO's first entirely self-produced video.   The music video also features many pieces of work from illustrator Hermippe, who worked on the CD cover for the digital single as well as the key visual for DAOKO's "2020 Otogi no Mitoshi tour." The song's lyrics are fantasy-like as they mix together fiction and non-fiction, woven together effortlessly by DAOKO's lyrical rap flow, and calling back to the music of her early days while evolving her sound at the same time. Together with Nariaki Obukuro, DAOKO has created a new and fitting style of club music for the Reiwa era.

Dragalia Lost™ is an action role-playing smartphone game developed by Cygames and published by Nintendo. It has been one year since the game launched last year on September 27, and to commemorate, young famous singer DAOKO is collaborating with the title to release an anniversary album on October 9 called DAOKO x Dragalia Lost.   Check out the epic album teaser below released just moments ago.  

The teaser gives us a cheeky taste of many songs that are included on DAOKO's new album and follows DAOKO's journey with Dragalia Lost. The range of game scenes in the teaser is enough to make any Dragalia Lost fan lose themselves in excitement.  Don't forget to check out the album when it is released!

Young singer and rapper DAOKO created the insert song "Hajimemashite no Kimochi o" for the hit film Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, which features Sho Hirano (from idol group King & Prince) and actress Kanna Hashimoto. Now, the music video for Hajimemashite no Kimochi o has been released.  The music video paints a picture of romance that viewers can easily relate to in real life. Teens from across Japan have fallen in love with the video upon learning that the video even features their favourite illustrator fusedy. DAOKO's lyrics spell out the story of the pure love of a young girl who easily blends into her surroundings. The music video has become a big hit.   Hajimemashite no Kimochi o Official Music Video

Kaguya-sama: Love Is War is a current high-tension hit film which has grasped a wide audience. Through her song, DAOKO has widely influenced the feelings involved in the world of the film. Please check it out.