Ako – Turn It Up
Charismatic Japanese singer-songwriter Ako announces her new single “Turn It Up”, via IRORI Records / PONY CANYON INC.
Sung in English and Japanese, the track serves as the ending theme for the TV anime THE DARWIN INCIDENT (streaming from 7th January 2026, Amazon Prime exclusive), marking a bold new chapter for the artist known for her signature whisper voice and visually engaging artistry.
Created as a fan of the original manga by Shun Umezawa, “Turn It Up” explores complex themes through the perspective of the anime’s antagonist organization, questioning existing values and the meaning of life. The track blends jazz, rock, and pop elements into what Ako describes as a “melting pot” of music—wrapping various modern societal issues into its sound.
“I felt that THE DARWIN INCIDENT is a story about people with many different backgrounds, so when creating this song, I wanted to reflect that by mixing together music genres with very different roots,” Ako explains. “The title ‘Turn It Up’ literally means ‘turn up the volume,’ and in the lyrics, I wrote about my thoughts on both the main character, Charlie, and the organization that opposes him. I hope you ‘turn it up’ and enjoy the music!”
Mixed by Nathan Boddy (known for his work with Olivia Dean, PinkPanthress and NewJeans), “Turn It Up” showcases a new dimension of Ako’s artistry whilst maintaining her pursuit of innovative pop music that challenges genre boundaries.
The anime follows Charlie, a 15-year-old “humanzee” (half-human, half-chimpanzee) with superhuman intelligence, as he navigates school life in rural Missouri whilst confronting an eco-terrorist organization, the Animal Liberation Alliance (ALA). The series tackles themes of terrorism, discrimination, human rights, and cyberbullying through the lens of a “non-human” protagonist.
Ako launched her career in 2020, quickly making an impact with heartfelt, visually engaging songs and her signature whisper voice. Leading the creative team “londog”, she produces music videos and pioneers diverse artistic projects. Her major debut single “Planet” was released by IRORI Records / PONY CANYON INC. in 2024, followed by her first full album GENE (10th July 2024).
In 2024, Ako performed at SXSW ’24 in Texas across three showcases, and in May 2025, she appeared at The Great Escape 2025 in Brighton, UK. She completed two major Japanese tours in 2025: “Ako Live Tour 2025 ‘LOVE PROPHET'” and “Ako Live Tour 2025 ‘Odyssey'” (including performances in Japan and Taipei). She returns in June 2026 with “Ako Live Tour 2026 ‘JUNO'”, a five-city tour across Japan promising electrifying and raw performances.
With “Turn It Up,” Ako continues to push boundaries, blending her alternative pop sensibilities with anime culture whilst addressing urgent contemporary themes through genre-defying pop music.
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