{"title":"Ichiko Aoba","description":"\u003cp\u003eIchiko Aoba is a Japanese musician known for her unique blend of folk and pop music. Born on January 28, 1990, she has captivated audiences with her hauntingly beautiful vocals and introspective lyrics. With a career spanning over a decade, Ichiko has released several critically acclaimed albums that have garnered international recognition. Her enchanting melodies and poetic storytelling make her a standout artist in the music industry. Experience the mesmerizing sounds of Ichiko Aoba's music and immerse yourself in her captivating world.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"windswept-adan","title":"Windswept Adan","description":"\u003cp\u003eAfter creating her label, Hermine, last year to celebrate her tenth anniversary in music, Aoba released the most complex and rewarding work of her career, 2020’s \u003ci\u003eWindswept Adan\u003c\/i\u003e. While audiences in the West are only just learning she exists, her accomplishments are unquestionable; she contributed to the soundtrack for The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening, was cited by Owen Pallett as an inspiration (“I’ve never been so blindsided by a musician as I was by Ichiko Aoba”), and has collaborated with the likes of Haruomi Hosono, Cornelius (who met her only two years after she first picked up a guitar and was blown away), Ryuichi Sakamoto, and recently Mac DeMarco.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIchiko Aoba’s iconic voice and classical guitar playing are immediately recognizable, timeless sounds. \u003ci\u003eWindswept Adan\u003c\/i\u003e, envisioned as a soundtrack for a fictional film, builds its own world with sweeping co-production and arrangements from Taro Umebayashi, which “recall the Wes Anderson scores of Mark Mothersbaugh or the cinematographic swells of American composer Jherek Bischoff” (Bandcamp). It’s the story of a young girl sent to the island of Adan, a place where there are no words.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile international listeners of Aoba may not understand the words she sings, and despite the central importance of lyrics in her writing, it’s a testament to the power Aoba wields that one can resonate so deeply with her work. No matter the breadth of her sonic palette, and on Adan her scope is as wide and encompassing as Joanna Newsom’s on \u003ci\u003eHave One On Me\u003c\/i\u003e, Aoba manifests an intimacy that makes one feel in the room with her.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hermine","offers":[{"title":"Black LPx2","offer_id":50417092297035,"sku":"1132863","price":47.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50417092526411,"sku":"1133989","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"2LP - Black Eco Mix","offer_id":56134133743947,"sku":"R1704-8849","price":34.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/3ce02e39-8bb4-4a97-befd-5d915c4d8396_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726716424"},{"product_id":"mahorobosiya-ogbcug","title":"Mahoroboshiya","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIchiko Aoba's\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eMahoroboshiya\u003c\/em\u003e is an exquisitely produced album that highlights her abilities as a singer and lyricist. The album's strength comes from its delicate and nuanced arrangements, which are complemented by \u003cstrong\u003eIchiko Aoba's\u003c\/strong\u003e lovely voice and thoughtful lyrics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEach track on the album adds to the overall unified and immersive listening experience. The title song, \"\u003cem\u003eMahoroboshiya\u003c\/em\u003e,\" is a standout track on the album, with mesmerizing guitar work and dreamy vocals.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50531091349835,"sku":"2217667","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/product_id._49630588_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728093622"},{"product_id":"kamisori-otome-cke5te","title":"Kamisori Otome","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eKamisori Otome (Razor Maiden)\u003c\/i\u003e is a showcase of brilliant composition, positioning an intertwining vocal harmony along the vibrating strings of the guitar, proving that less is more. \u003ci\u003eKamisori Otome\u003c\/i\u003e is a rather homogeneous piece of work, in terms of how it sounds and how it is structured. Though, thanks to its short, 27-minute, \u003ci\u003eKamisori Otome\u003c\/i\u003e avoids overstaying its welcome, even transforming the homogeneity into something that works in its favour. The lack of experimentation and obvious variation is something that engenders the idea that this debut signifies the humble beginnings of Ichiko Aoba.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50531091579211,"sku":"2217663","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/product_id._b0feee0d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728093640"},{"product_id":"0-dgcviy","title":"0","description":"\u003cp\u003eA gentle journey that explores the beauty of existence through themes of sorrow, solitude, and tragedy. Ichiko's guitar work here is super stunning.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50531093217611,"sku":"2217666","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/product_id._cfc42c67_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728093675"},{"product_id":"utabiko-sb53es","title":"Utabiko","description":"\u003cp\u003eUtabiko is Ichiko Aoba's third record of minimalistic, acoustic slow-jams. The 7-minute opening has some great guitar work (much like the rest of the record), and the rest of the project borrows from the calming aesthetics of Kamisori Otome \u0026amp; Origami. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50531131031883,"sku":"2217665","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/product_id._a4dd817b_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728095846"},{"product_id":"qp-xy74ul","title":"qp","description":"\u003cp\u003eBy virtue of doubling down on the simplistic aspects of her sound, qp also casts the spotlight on how remarkable it is that she can make such seemingly unambitious tracks sound so distinct, and so her strangeness-in-familiarity qualities have rarely been so pronounced.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50531131261259,"sku":"2217693","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/product_id._8663dd04_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728095863"},{"product_id":"origami-g4gezo","title":"Origami","description":"\u003cp\u003eIchiko's shortest is also maybe the best way to introduce newcomers to her work: a swift fairytale that doesn't have the capacity to overwhelm, neither does it go on for long enough to bore.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"No Label","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50531131654475,"sku":"2217664","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/product_id._18320de5_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728095879"},{"product_id":"luminescent-creatures","title":"Luminescent Creatures","description":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.roughtrade.com\/browse\/albums-of-the-year-2025\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlbums of the Year 2025: #69\n\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo listen to \u003cstrong\u003eIchiko Aoba\u003c\/strong\u003e is to be drawn into a world as intimate as a warmly lit home, but cosmic in scale. The Japanese singer, songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist has taken a dedicated online fanbase built from TikTok sounds and critically acclaimed, and translated that into international tours spanning more than 20 countries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eShe was well known in Japan—collaborating with artists like \u003cstrong\u003eHaruomi Hosono\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eCornelius\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the late \u003cstrong\u003eRyuichi Sakamoto\u003c\/strong\u003e—but \u003cem\u003eWindswept Adan\u003c\/em\u003e earned the adoration of fellow musicians like \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese Breakfast\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ePomme\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eWeyes Blood\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAoba’s latest album, \u003cem\u003eLuminescent Creatures\u003c\/em\u003e, is the culmination of her 15-year long career and finds her deftly melding the jazz-infused folk with the orchestral world building. Available exclusively on eco-vinyl, the eco-friendly packaging reflects Aoba's deep commitment to environmentalism.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hermine","offers":[{"title":"Blue LP","offer_id":50818801566027,"sku":"2232287","price":27.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50818800484683,"sku":"2232286","price":23.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50818800157003,"sku":"2232285","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"LP - Black (Japanese Pressing)","offer_id":56466399723851,"sku":"R6844-1963","price":49.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/ichiko_aoba_LC_h1_20241015_dcbcd0a1_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1731419110"},{"product_id":"pneuma-4","title":"Pneuma","description":"\u003cp\u003eJun Miyake and \u003cstrong\u003eIchiko Aoba\u003c\/strong\u003e's live sessions held in Tokyo in November 2016 and the following February 2017, valuable recordings that had only been released in high-resolution format for distribution, will finally be released in vinyl format as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe first performance in January featured \u003cstrong\u003eTatsuhisa Yamamoto\u003c\/strong\u003e on drums, and the second performance in February featured a quartet formation with the addition of bassist \u003cstrong\u003eHitoshi Watanabe\u003c\/strong\u003e. The two talented musicians will give us a glimpse of how the music of \u003cstrong\u003eJun Miyake\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eIchiko Aoba\u003c\/strong\u003e is being breathed into a new life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIchiko Aoba\u003c\/strong\u003e: Vocal, Guitar \/ \u003cstrong\u003eJun Miyake\u003c\/strong\u003e: Electric Piano, Flugelhorn \/ \u003cstrong\u003eTatsuhisa Yamamoto\u003c\/strong\u003e: Drums \/ \u003cstrong\u003eHitoshi Watanabe\u003c\/strong\u003e: Bass, Cello \/ zAk: Recording \u0026amp; Mixing\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"P-Vine","offers":[{"title":"Black LPx2","offer_id":50914555593035,"sku":"2169692","price":59.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/E9_9D_92_E8_91_89_E5_B8_82_E5_AD_90__E4_B8_89_E5_AE_85_E7_B4_94__E5_B1_B1_E6_9C_AC_E9_81_94_E4_B9_85__E6_B8_A1_E8_BE_BA_E7_AD_89-_E3_83_95_E3_83_8D_E3_82_A6_E3_83_9E-pneuma-Cover-Art.jpg?v=1732995259"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_da7e667a_thumbnail_4096_c3c10bfb-103a-4beb-914b-b8f76faca339.jpg?v=1726716396","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/ichiko-aoba.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}