Ichiko Aoba – Sonar
Ichiko Aoba presents “SONAR,” the final single from her anticipated album, Luminescent Creatures, out February 28th via hermine / Psychic Hotline.
As the album’s emotional core, the track positions sonar (sound navigation and ranging) as a metaphor for finding human connection amidst the depths of loneliness. “SONAR” features a delicate veil of shimmering synthesizers that serve as the backdrop to a simple arrangement of just Aoba’s voice and a keyboard, highlighting the song’s poignant lyrics and elegant melody. Aoba sings: “Beyond the darkness, a glimmer of /somebody’s voyce / I am here, although / I know not where, and yet / I hear it.” Here, her own voice is low in the mix as if suppressed by insurmountable depths. An echo of Aoba’s voice creeps in, reverberating like the graceful song of a marine mammal trying to find its friends.
Accompanying the song is a stunning video directed by longtime collaborator Kodai Kobayashi. The video weaves together intricate CGI with elaborate stunts, creating a visually captivating experience that perfectly complements the song’s emotive power. Led by contemporary artist and actor Norimizu Ameya, the narrative tackles themes of loss head-on for a subtle yet nuanced message about the nature of human connection. Filmed across multiple locations in Japan, the video offers a cinematic deep dive into Ichiko’s world.
Luminescent Creatures opens an even wider portal into her mind, exploring the origin of life with dreamy musical vistas. 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.
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.
Next month, Aoba will kick off her world tour in support of Luminescent Creatures, bringing her to North America in April where she will be accompanied by Wordless Music Quintet on select dates.
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
Thu. March 6 – Taipei, TW @ Zhongshan Hall (SOLD OUT)
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) (SOLD OUT)
Sun. March 23 – Groningen, NL @ Oosterpoort
Tue. March 25 – Antwerp, BE @ De Roma
Thu. March 27 – Paris, FR @ La Trianon (SOLD OUT)
Mon. March 31 – London, UK @ Barbican [with 12 Ensemble] (SOLD OUT)
Wed. April 2 – Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall (SOLD OUT)
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 (SOLD OUT)
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
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
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