Three years after her introspective debut Sketch, Lilas, better known to many as ikura from the chart-topping duo YOASOBI, ushers in a new chapter with her second solo album, Laugh. The 13-track collection captures the evolving artistry of one of Japan’s most versatile voices and sees Lilas balancing lyrical vulnerability with a newfound confidence.
An Emotional Sonic Journey
Across the album, Lilas traces the highs and lows of self-discovery through songs that shimmer with a refreshing emotional breadth. From the bright optimism of “Latata” to the more introspective calm of “Actor” and the viral hit “Koikaze,” Laugh is a portrait of an artist in conversation with her own past, present and future.
The project also gathers previously released hit singles “With,” “P.S.,” and “Seishun Ohka,” featuring fellow Japanese artist ano, further marking Lilas’s continued beautiful exploration of collaboration as an art form combined with hybrid pop textures.
Laugh’s Success on Surely Tomorrow and More
A standout is the new single “Cafe Latte,” written as the theme song for the Korean drama Surely Tomorrow, starring Park Seo-joon and Won Ji-an. The track, produced by Lee Chanhyuk of AKMU alongside Korean pop princess IU’s collaborator Seo Donghwan, finds Lilas merging her characteristic sound with a cross-cultural bridge that feels effortlessly sleek.
Following the album’s release, Lilas will embark on Lilas LIVE TOUR 2026 “Laugh”, with dates scheduled in Kobe (May 5–6), Kanagawa (May 16–17), and Seoul (May 23), giving audiences in the areas an intimate glimpse into the spirit behind the groundbreaking sophomore record.
Lilas Beyond Yoasobi and Laugh
The album’s arrival caps off a milestone year for Lilas. Beyond music, she recently became a global ambassador for COACH, starring in the brand’s Fall 2025 “Revive Your Courage” campaign, marking her first major foray into the fashion world. She’s also expanded internationally with an English rendition of her hit “In Bloom,” and high-profile collaborations like “Plus Rien” with French rapper Orelsan and “Perfectos Imperfectos” with Spanish musician Pablo Alborán.
For longtime fans of YOASOBI, Lilas’s solo journey offers a revealing counterpoint to the duo’s narrative-driven synth pop. While YOASOBI continues to dominate global charts (most recently with “Idol,” which earned Billboard Japan’s #1 Song of the Year) Laugh showcases Lilas’s individual voice outside of the duo: vulnerable, touching, and emotionally resonant.
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