Yukkyun & Ohzora Kimishima Set to Shine with Duet Single “Private Superstar”
Yukkyun will release the single “Private Superstar” on August 14 (Wednesday), featuring a duet with her long-time collaborator Ohzora Kimishima.
Born in Okayama Prefecture in 1995, Yukkyun is a member of the avant-pop unit “Den’ei Shojo CQ,” known for their soundtrack-inspired music. Since 2021, she has been actively pursuing solo projects under the “DIVA Project,” self-producing her work and expanding her influence through lyric writing for groups like Dempagumi.inc and WEST., column writing, film criticism, and appearances on the TBS Podcast “Y2K Shinsho.” Her long-awaited second album, “Umarenai Anata o,” is set to release on September 11 (Wednesday), following a series of pre-released singles starting in May, including “Logout Bonus,” “Shuttle Bus,” and “Datte Cinderella.”
The newly announced “Private Superstar” is a collaborative effort between Yukkyun and Kimishima, who handled composition, arrangement, and lyrics. The cover photo, taken by photographer Ayano Sudo, features the artists in outfits by designer Tanakadaisuke. Kimishima, who played guitar for Yukkyun’s support band “Yukkyun and the Love Dragons” at her 10th anniversary live show “Tsumannakatta yo Kimi to Au made” in Tokyo’s Shibuya WWW in June, will also appear in the two-man live “no public diva” at Shimokitazawa Shangri-La on August 23 (Friday), part of Yukkyun’s 10th anniversary project “DIVA&YOU.” According to Kimishima, the song is “a creation made with friends, thanks to our deep personal connection.”
At the end of spring, I had just given a single line to include in the song and was waiting for the track to arrive. One evening, exhausted despite having done nothing, I received a one-chorus demo and ended up crying by the side of the road.
The song came through even faster than the meaning, and I was able to learn the song’s title “Private Superstar” immediately, so I wrote the lyrics that same day.
Throughout the process of finishing the song, Kimishima-kun exceeded all expectations. Even though I kept wondering why we met, I’m incredibly grateful that we did.
Now, we’ve created something that feels like the pinnacle of J-POP. I’m so glad I stayed true to myself, and I’m truly thankful that Kimishima-kun stayed true to himself as well.
I want the whole world to hear it—what should I do? And to everyone else, please take care of the rest.
Yukkun Comment
What I can do is to scream as loudly as possible from where I am; until now, that was the only thing that connected me to the world. Yukkyun took that and brought it into the light.
“Let’s dance even if you’re in a bad mood!”
I wanted to dance hand in hand in the rain even when I was in a bad mood. I wanted to somehow show you the beauty of how the intensity of the sunset behind you increases. I cried in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar words and realized that I can laugh naked with friends. I realized I want to believe in this moment as if it were eternal, like a child.
The song he made me write, your song. I couldn’t have written such a song on my own. Our song. A song that could only be made with friends. As we burn in this world, we are undeniably in the midst of youth.
Comment by Oozora Kimishima
In conjunction with the release announcement, Yukkyun has revealed plans for a tour to promote her album “You Who Won’t Be Reborn”. The tour will include three dates: September 30 (Monday) at Daikanyama SPACE ODD in Tokyo, October 4 (Friday) at Kanayama Brazil Coffee in Aichi, and October 5 (Saturday) at Grand Salon Juso in Osaka. The tour will feature the band “Yukkyun and the Love Dragons” (Gt. Ohzora Kimishima, Gt. Koichiro Okunaka, Ba. Yoshiki Takahashi, Key. Misaki Umei, Dr. Yukihiro Kamiya). Ticket presale and lottery registration has also begun.
Yukkyun’s 10th Anniversary: DIVA & YOU
8/23 (Fri.) Ohsora Kimishima & Yukkkun no public diva” at Shimokitazawa Shangri-La Doors open 19:00, Concert begins 19:30 Pre-sale ¥4000, ¥4500 at the door (1drink not included)
Yukkyun 10th ANNIVERSARY TOUR “I’m Watching the You Who Will Never Reincarnate”
September 30 (Monday) Tokyo – Daikanyama SPACE ODD VIP ¥7000 / General ¥4500 Doors Open: 18:30 | Show Starts: 19:30 Featuring: Yukkyun and the Love Dragons
October 4 (Friday) Aichi – Kanayama Brazil Coffee VIP ¥7000 / General ¥4500 Doors Open: 18:30 | Show Starts: 19:30 Featuring: Yukkyun and the Love Dragons
October 5 (Saturday) Osaka – Grand Salon Juso VIP ¥7000 / General ¥4500 Doors Open: 13:00 | Show Starts: 14:00 Featuring: Yukkyun and the Love Dragons VIP tickets include priority entry and a special ZINE. Additional drink charges apply.
Ticket Pre-Sale Lottery August 2 (Friday) 18:00 – August 9 (Friday) 23:59 Ticket Link
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.
