AKINA Look Toward The FUTURE with Latest Release!

FUTURE Digital Jacket Cover

AKINA, member of the girl group FAKY, has released a new single “FUTURE”. She is a Half American and half Japanese singer-songwriter who stands out in the J-POP world because she has cultivated a unique musical sense that touches various cultures due to her experience moving around the world ever since her childhood. Her singing voice, which is both delicate and powerful was highly praised and her cover of "Amazing Grace" was also used as a special song for the movie "A Morning of Farewell" starring Sayuri Yoshinaga. As a newcomer, she has achieved an exceptional achievement.

AKINA is attracting attention in the alternative scene as a singer-songwriter while working globally as FAKY at the same time and today the song "FUTURE" produced by Kai Takahashi, who is a member of LUCKY TAPES and has worked on iri and Taichi Mukai has been released.

This work is AKINA's first all-Japanese lyrics, and her sweet singing voice and the chill sound created by Kai Takahashi match perfectly that makes the listeners feel more positive.

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Comment from AKINA:

「FUTURE means to me self-reflection and freedom. With all the time spent at home the past couple of years, it’s caused me to feel like I’ve lost purpose at times. But those dark times are necessary for a change and I think this song shows that it’s okay to struggle as long as you try to find your way back again!.」 - Akina

Comment from Kai Takahashi:

「This is an ambitious all Japanese lyric song that I made for Akina who was born in California. I wrote it in the midst of the early days of Corona just a year ago and her husky and powerful singing voice matched the positive lyrics. The moment I heard her singing voice I felt that the scale of this song just got bigger. I think it will be difficult for her to balance her group and solo activities but I am looking forward to the success of both AKINA as a member of FAKY and as a solo artist!」

 - Kai Takahashi

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Also, on 6th October, following kiki vivi lily and PEARL CENTER's MATTON / inui, she was selected to be featured in the new song of the two-member band The Burning Deadwoods by a track maker from Tokyo. And on 15th October, On the 15th, the single "Stupid, Careless, Dumb" which she wrote and composed by herself made a big hit on Spotify's major playlist.

Furthermore, along with this release, it was revealed that a live stream will be held on Twitch on 28th October from 10 AM ET / 11 PM JST with the major music culture media "Rolling Stone" that has been published in the United States for more than 50 years. Many up-and-coming singer-songwriters from Europe and the United States, such as “girl in red” and “mxmtoon”, have appeared live on "Rolling Stone on Twitch” and AKINA is the first Japanese female artist to be featured on it which is an achievement. With her global recognition that has been growing lately, hopefully her talent can continue to receive more attention in the future.

AKINA of FAKY Reflects on Past Love with Latest Single!

“Stupid, Careless, Dumb” Digital Jacket Cover

AKINA, a member of all-girl group FAKY, released her new single “Stupid, Careless, Dumb” on October 15 across all digital music streaming platforms. The lyrics to “Stupid, Careless, Dumb” are based on AKINA’s own past experience of drowning in love. The track was produced by TOSHIKI HAYASHI(%C), the backing DJ for duo chelmico, who has also worked with artists such as Kai Kubota, iri and Awesome City Club. This is a mellow, chill must-listen tune that will seep into your dreams.

AKINA stands out in the world of J-pop, thanks to her mixed American and Japanese heritage and her upbringing that was spent in various countries and cultures, where she developed a unique sense of music. She made her solo debut toward the end of last year with the Yaffle-produced track “Touch”, which was added to the influential Spotify playlists “New Music Friday”, “Girl On Fire” and “Dance Pop: Japan”. In addition, she has been widely praised for the strength and delicacy of her singing voice, while her cover of “Amazing Grace” was used in the movie A Morning of Farewell starring revered veteran actress Sayuri Yoshinaga – just two of AKINA’s exceptional achievements as a debut artist.

Then, on October 6, AKINA collaborated on a song with Tokyo-based duo The Burning Deadwoods, following their highly regarded releases with kiki vivi lily and PEARL CENTER members MATTON and inui. AKINA’s exceptional musical sense has taken her from global activity with FAKY to her budding career as a singer-songwriter, and now to the attention of Japan’s indie music scene.

Comment from AKINA

“‘Stupid, Careless, Dumb’ is about looking back on a past relationship and regretting how decisions were made. Everyone has a love that they wish they weren’t too immature for at the time so I hope you can relate to this one!!” — Akina

With producer TOSHIKI HAYASHI(%C) having traversed the spectrum from high-quality J-pop to lo-fi hip-hop and AKINA’s unique multicultural approach to music, the chemistry is ripe for some amazing results. Check out “Stupid, Careless, Dumb” to hear for yourself on all streaming platforms here!

FAKY Member AKINA Releases First Self-Written Single, ‘Gravity’ for an Impossible Love

Vocalist AKINA stands out in the J-pop world. With her Japanese-American roots and childhood spent moving between countries around the world, this rising solo artist and FAKY member has a rich multicultural outlook that informs her music. Now AKINA celebrates the release of her second solo single, “Gravity”, released on Dec 18th accompanied by a music video.

With production by Yaffle, who has worked with artists such as Fujii Kaze and iri, AKINA’s previous single “Touch” caused a stir among music fans when it was released on November 27. A cover of a song by British singer-songwriter Shura, AKINA’s “Touch” was a simple yet beautiful rendition that she truly made her own, and the track was added to many playlists on Spotify and Apple Music. As her first solo release, the track inspired a strong reaction from fans. AKINA’s second single, “Gravity”, is once again produced in collaboration with Yaffle – and it is also AKINA’s first self-written song to be publicly released.

“Gravity” Jacket Cover

In her career so far, as a member of girl group FAKY and as a fresh new solo artist, the focus has been on AKINA’s powerful singing voice and expressive dance routines that have been praised by world-class choreographers. But AKINA has been writing songs since the age of 15, and now, her excellent songwriting skills and musical originality have been proven for all to see. AKINA’s multicultural music sense and Yaffle’s highly skilled production work make for a special combination. The multi-layered sound created by the two collaborators embodies the title concept of “gravity”, resulting in a sumptuous song that recalls the comforting pull of the ocean as you sink willingly beneath the waves.

The music video for “Gravity” was also released today on FAKY’s YouTube channel. The video was directed by Yosuke Torii, who has shot photos for world-renowned overseas artists such as Rihanna as well as domestic acts such as UVERworld, Never young beach and Kayoko Yoshizawa. The video is shot in classic black and white, with visual motifs based on the concept of gravity, as AKINA, symbolically caressing an apple, is led toward the ocean by unseen guiding forces. AKINA was styled for the video by her FAKY bandmate Mikako, who has been singled out as an up-and-coming fashion icon by Droptokyo as part of its FOREVER HEROES series. The high quality of AKINA’s solo songs makes her budding solo career and bright future a delight to watch unfold, and it’s exciting to see these FAKY members reveal new sides to their individual talents. Check out ‘Gravity’ for a musical experience with genuine weight.

AKINA comment

“The “Gravity” music video is so different from what you’re used to from me. I wanted to show a more real side of me to fit with the lyrics I wrote. I hope anyone who is in a difficult place can relate to my words”

Be sure to check out the music video along with the digital streaming link for “Gravity” below!

AKINA from FAKY Makes her Touch Known with her Solo Debut!

“Touch” Jacket Cover

AKINA, a member of the popular dance unit FAKY, makes her solo debut this past week on November 28 with the release of digital single Touch”, across all digital music streaming platforms.

Born to Japanese and American parents, AKINA experienced diverse cultures during her childhood as her family moved between countries around the world. In 2015, she relocated to Japan to join the “girls’ union” group FAKY, who made their major-label debut when AKINA was just 15 years old. FAKY has since hit the Top 10 of Spotify’s Viral Chart in both Japan and the United States, performed in Brazil, Canada, and Spain, and appeared at Japan’s Summer Sonic music festival two years in a row, cementing their success not only domestically but globally too. FAKY’s appeal lies in their powerful yet delicate vocal style and dance skills that have been praised by choreographers worldwide. Their songwriting skills draw on a wide range of genres, from mainstream American pop to independent R&B, through European singer-songwriter sensibilities to Japanese city pop, resulting in a varied collection of self-written hits that reflect the members’ personal tastes.

AKINA’s solo efforts make the most of the challenger spirit and unique musicality that informed her FAKY debut at 15, along with her strong singing voice and a talent for expression formed by her experiences on the world stage. Finding yourself and where you belong: AKINA’s debut solo release “Touch” is deeply introspective and highly expressive. The track is a cover of a song released by Manchester-born singer-songwriter Shura in 2016; AKINA’s version reconstructs the simple and beautiful atmosphere of the original but with an interpretation that is all her own, conveying with the personal reflection of a diary entry the ache of longing for a forbidden touch. The track was produced by Yaffle, who has worked with artists such as Fujii Kaze and iri. Yaffle combines classical music roots with an ear for experimental music and J-pop to create top-level production. Combined with AKINA’s multicultural musical sense, the pair have perfect chemistry, creating a song that transcends genres and hints at the musical zeitgeist of the decade to come in the 2020s

AKINA comment

“I’m looking forward to showing a much different side of me that you’ve never seen before. I’m so excited to create music to share with you. The good and the bad, my solo will be 100% unfiltered emotions. Please look forward to what I have coming...!”

Revealing a side of AKINA that will be new to FAKY fans, “Touch” YouTube lyric video is available below along with the digital steaming link here!