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A­R­T­I­S­T­S

Artists creating content together

Ichiko Aoba

#MUSIC

Born in 1990. Musician. Head of the independent label “hermine”. Since her debut in 2010, she has released eight original albums. Her delicate sound centered around classical guitar, dreamlike vocals, and poetic worldview have earned her high acclaim both domestically and internationally. She began full-scale overseas performances in 2021 and has appeared at numerous international music festivals. In January 2025, she celebrated her 15th anniversary since debut. Her new album, ‘Luminescent Creatures’, released in February, marked her first new work in about four years. In May of the same year, she published her first essay collection, ‘Star Sands’.

Hayato Sumino

#MUSIC

Born in Chiba Prefecture in 1995. In 2018, while enrolled at the University of Tokyo Graduate School, she won the Grand Prix in the Special Category at the PTNA Piano Competition, launching her professional music career. In 2021, she was selected as a semi-finalist at the International Chopin Piano Competition. She also performs under the name “Cateen” on YouTube, where she has over 1.5 million subscribers. In 2024, she released her worldwide debut album ‘Human Universe’ on Sony Classical and successfully held a solo concert at Nippon Budokan. Her latest album ‘CHOPIN ORBIT’ was released in January 2026. Currently based in New York, she is actively performing both domestically and internationally.

Hattori

#MUSIC

Formed "Macaroni Empitsu" in 2012. He is the main songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist in the band. With her emotional voice, catchy melodies, and unique lyrics, she is popular among people of all ages and has sung theme songs for numerous commercials, movies, and TV dramas. He won the Best New Artist Award at the "Japan Record Awards," and the following year he won the Best Picture Award for the second year in a row! In addition to his band activities, he has participated as a narrator in NHK's program "Words of the Great Archived by NHK" and published his first lyrics collection "Kotoba no Tane" (Seeds of Words), which has become a topic of conversation.

benten-land

#MUSIC

Formed in the summer of 2021 by Kei Satow (Vo/Gt), yukai the nippon (Gt/Cho), Charlie (Ba/Cho), and Shirokuma (Dr/Cho), the band is a “Japanese song rock band for all ages” that performs mainly in Tokyo. The band's lyrics are full of Satow's humanity, and the vivid band sound that colors the nostalgic melodies is ear-catching and has been gaining support. From Tokyo to the whole country, regardless of genre or scene, the band is expanding its activities by performing at “MURO FESTIVAL” and “SUMMER SONIC” in 2024.

nishina

#MUSIC

nissina is a rising star who has emerged with her natural singing voice in the new era. Her voice is gentle, fragile, and addictive. A melody line that is nostalgic and comforting, as if you were sleeping. A sense of words spun delicately with innocent gaiety. Her music, which is gentle yet has a hint of madness lurking within, thoroughly captivates listeners. Her voice and music, which have been captivating listeners slowly and at her own pace, are now quietly and more actively moving out into the world in search of new encounters. The most important newcomer, a talent that encompasses “fragility and madness,” appears here.

suzukimikikozu

#MUSIC

Formed in 2012, the band has released three albums and two EPs on the independent market. The band's songs, produced by Mikiko Suzuki's heart-stirring vocals and Zu's emotional drumming, strike deep into the heart of the listener. The melodies are full of pop sensibility. In 2022, they performed at “ROOKIE A GO GO” of “FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL” and were selected as “RISING STAR” of “RISING SUN ROCK FESTIVAL”. In “Heart Noise”, he has performed with Takehara Pistol, Higuchi Ai, THA BLUE HERB, and others.

Kento Ido

#MUSIC

Born in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. He writes lyrics, composes, arranges, makes tracks, sings, plays guitar, and records. He became interested in the act of recording when he was in junior high school and started recording guitars and songs on a 4-track MTR, as well as collages of existing sound sources. 2004 he formed the band “Super Noah”, for which he serves as vocalist and guitarist. 2020 March: Released his first album “Song of the swamp” was released in March 2020. He elaborated the arrangements with various sound effects and deconstructed the rhythm section, etc. In June 2022, he released his second album “I'm here, where are you”

akkogorilla

#MUSIC

Rapper. He made his major label debut as a drummer, and after the band broke up, he became a rapper, winning Japan's first female-only MC battle, the “CINDERELLA MCBATTLE,” in 2017. In 2022, she will release a mini-album “Magma I.” From April 2019, she will be a member of J-WAVE “SONAR MUSIC”. In April 2019, she will be the main navigator of J-WAVE's “SONAR MUSIC” program, and she has been active in expressive activities that transcend gender, nationality, age, and industry barriers.

Ohzora Kimishima

#MUSIC

Born in 1995 in Ome, Tokyo. Songwriter/guitarist. As a guitarist/sound producer, he has participated in the production, recording, and live performances of various musicians such as Kayoko Yoshizawa, Aina the End, Yukkyun, Tokutaro Hosoi, Yoshisaki Sakaguchi, RYUTist, adieu (Moeka Kamishiraishi), and Sue Takai, etc. In 2019, after releasing his EP “Afternoon Reflection Light”, he began his solo career in earnest. In March 2025, he released his 4th EP “Sound Room”.

Shuta Hasunuma

#MUSIC

1983年、東京都生まれ。蓮沼執太フィルを組織して、国内外での音楽公演をはじめ、映画、演劇、ダンスなど、多数の音楽制作を行う。また「作曲」という手法を応用し物質的な表現を用いて、彫刻、映像、インスタレーション、パフォーマンス、ワークショップ、プロジェクトなどを制作する。2026年、活動20周年を迎える。

Rol3ert

#MUSIC

Born in 2005, currently 19 years old. Originally from the U.S., raised in Japan since age 2. Captivates the world with globally oriented track production, beautiful melodies rooted in pop and J-POP, and songs that resonate with people's loneliness and struggles. Officially launched in January 2025 with “meaning”. On August 27, released the new song “say my name.” At just 19 years old, she is drawing attention as a new talent from Japan challenging the global music scene.

KM

#MUSIC

東京出身のプロデューサー / DJ。名前の由来は、自身のイニシャルと好んだDJ AMへのリスペクトを込めて字面をなぞらえたことから。ヒップホップに根ざした音楽スタイルを保ちながら、さまざまなジャンルとクロスオーヴァーを試みる果敢なスタイルや制作姿勢で注目を浴びる。

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NiEW Best Music is a playlist featuring artists leading the music scene and offering alternative styles in our rapidly evolving society. Hailing from Tokyo, the NiEW editorial team proudly curates outstanding music that transcends size, genre, and nationality.

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