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Last month, “Japanese experimental pop luminary” (The FADER) Ichiko Aoba announced her long awaited new album, Luminescent Creatures, out February 28th, 2025 via hermine / Psychic Hotline, and shared its lead single, “Luciférine.” Today, Ichiko unveils new single “FLAG.” Unlike the lush orchestrations of “Luciférine,” “FLAG” captures pure simplicity. With just her voice and a guitar, Ichiko reflects on life while gazing at the sea as she sings: “Is it true that we are reborn so many times over?”
“FLAG” debuts alongside a breathtaking live performance of the track filmed during sunset at Holland’s Into The Great Wide Open festival. The session also includes performances of “Mahoroboshiya” (taken from the 2016 album of the same name) and “Funeral Procession at the Seashore” (taken from 2018’s qp).
Listen to “FLAG”
Watch Live Performance of “FLAG” from Into The Great Wide Open
In recent years, Ichiko Aoba has tapped into the full breadth of her ability, marrying the classical guitar of her earlier work with lofty orchestral sweeps. Her previous album, 2020’s stunning Windswept Adan, was praised by the likes of Pitchfork, The Guardian, The Needle Drop, and beyond, becoming a word of mouth breakthrough. For her anticipated follow-up, Luminescent Creatures, Ichiko opens an even wider portal into her mind, exploring the origin of life with dreamy musical vistas. Luminescent Creatures is about making meaningful connections against impossible odds.
While visiting Japan’s Ryukyu Archipelago and conducting field research, Ichiko was enamored by the boundless beauty—and occasional terror—of the ocean. The sea is immense and ancient, mirroring the harsh conditions that life sprang forth from—but it is also reminiscent, housing a deep record of fossils that once swam through its waters. She’d go diving with only the breath in her lungs, submitting herself to the whims of the tides. “I feel unable to resist the pull of the ocean,” Ichiko says, “but know how easy it would be for my small body to be swallowed by the sea.” That contradiction, gentleness and power, instilled a sense of awe that is expressed in the soundscapes of Luminescent Creatures.
Ichiko is well known in Japan, having collaborated with artists like Haruomi Hosono, Cornelius, and the late Ryuichi Sakamoto. Earning the adoration of fellow musicians abroad, Ichiko has played alongside artists like Japanese Breakfast, Mac DeMarco, Owen Pallett, Pomme, Weyes Blood, and Black Country, New Road. However, as her star continues to rise, Ichiko is committed to being her truest self. Her compositions have become more grand, her songwriting more refined, yet her ability to make listeners feel like they’re in a private cosmos alongside her remains as strong as ever.
Ichiko’s arresting solo performances are unassuming yet utterly transfixing. Her 2025 world tour in support of Luminescent Creatures will bring her to North America in the spring, where she will be accompanied by Wordless Music Quintet on select dates. Tickets are on sale now and are available here.
Pre-order Luminescent Creatures
Ichiko Aoba 2025 Tour Dates
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
