Mouse on the Keys’ 4th album midnight was released for streaming on November 1 (Friday).
Currently consisting of Akira Kawasaki, Daisuke Shinto, and Takumi Shirai, Mouse on the Keys is an instrumental band formed in 2006. They have performed at numerous domestic festivals, including FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL and Asagiri Jam, and frequently hold overseas tours. In addition to composing music for commercials and film scores, they also contributed music for an installation at the Tadao Ando Exhibition – Challenge at the National Art Center in 2017, showcasing their versatility across different scenes.
midnight is their first full album since Takumi Shirai joined in 2022, featuring a total of 11 tracks. The album includes collaborations with a range of guest artists, such as cellist Seigen Tokuzawa, violinist Shuntaro Tokuda, vibraphonist Taikimen, and guitarist Masahiro Tobita. It also features two co-produced tracks with UK artist Loraine James, who first saw Mouse on the Keys perform live in London in 2016. In 2023, they released a collaborative track, Scepticism with Joy feat. Mouse on the Keys.
To coincide with the album release, the music video for the track Fail Better was also released on YouTube. The video was directed by contemporary artist Frank Manzano, who is based in Chicago and works at the forefront of AI video art. The video presents a futuristic aesthetic, where matter continuously transforms, blending reality with the surreal.
On November 20 (Wednesday), a showcase live performance for the album will be held at EX THEATER ROPPONGI in Tokyo. Many of the musicians who contributed to the album are expected to perform, with Loraine James also scheduled to appear.
mouse on the keys “midnight”
Date: November 1 (Friday) – Digital Release
Label: fractrec/felicity
Tracklist:
- Introduction
- One Last Time
- Fail Better
- 24:59 (feat. Loraine James)
- Two Five (feat. Loraine James)
- midnight
- The Dawn (midnight version)
- Sleepytinne
- Womb
- Little Walk
- Undone
Guest Musicians:
Cello – Seigen Tokuzawa [Track 2, 6]
Violin – Shuntaro Tsuneta [Track 2, 10]
Xylophone/Vibraphone – Taikimen [Track 4, 10]
Guitar – Masahiro Tobita [Track 3, 6]
2nd Drums – Masayuki Yamazaki [Track 10]
2nd Drums – Kazuya Sakamoto [Track 3]
mouse on the keys “4th Full Album midnight Showcase -FRACTREGION Vol.3-”
Date: November 20 (Wednesday)
Venue: EX THEATER ROPPONGI
Doors: 18:00 | Start: 19:00
Performers: Mouse on the Keys
Guest Musicians: Loraine James, Seigen Tokuzawa, Shuntaro Tsuneta, Taikimen, Masahiro Tobita, Masayuki Yamazaki, Kazuya Sakamoto, and more…
Ticket Prices:
- 1F Front Standing: ¥7,000
- 1F Front Standing (Under 23): ¥3,000 (ID required, limited to 100 tickets)
- 1FS Seats: ¥9,000
- 1FA Seats: ¥8,000
- 2F Stand Seats: ¥7,000
Note: All ticket prices exclude drink fees.
Organizer: HOT STUFF PROMOTION
Planning/Production: fractrec/felicity
Production Support: RE-MiX Inc. / RE-MiX arts Inc.
