The endlessly creative and revered J-Pop duo YOASOBI just released “UNDEAD,” their first single of 2024. This release breaks the tension of anticipation, providing their fans with a fresh theme song to the Off & Monster Season of the series “Monogatari.” Author Nisio Isin wrote the original novel titled “Bakemonogatari,” centering around a high school student who survives a vampire attack, then employed by various classmates to deal with their supernatural hauntings. Translating a unique story like this into a song may be a task, but it is YOASOBI’s niche of expertise.
The track overflows with energy, opening with vibrant, filtered vocals from Ikura over a jumping chiptune-driven instrumental. The glitchy panning and genre-bending verses perfectly lend to the mystical qualities of the reference work.
Lyrically, the song shares a glimpse of the main character’s primary questions and conflicts. Although specific to a fictional situation, the messages transcend this boundary; the unknown can be daunting and surreal.
A bizarre, bizarre fantasy
What will come next, a demon or a snake?
A story that begins only after meeting
So, human or monster?
“UNDEAD,” YOASOBI
YOASOBI conquered the West Coast this past Spring with an attention-grabbing Coachella set, as well as two sold-out shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Moving onto the East Coast, Ayase and Ikura are preparing for set at the world-famous Lollapalooza in Chicago (August 1-4), and two more sold-out shows in New York (Radio City Music Hall, August 6th) and Boston (MGM Hall at Fenway, August 8th). The setlists are sure to vary, but fans can expect to hear some of their best hits, including “Idol,” “Yoru ni Kakeru,” and “Kaibutsu.” Each of these tracks earned respected accolades within the Japanese and international music scenes, such as #1 on Spotify and Line Music charts, #1 on Billboard JAPAN, and a feature in TIME’s “10 Best Songs of 2021.”
YOASOBI’s reach continues to expand as the year goes on, with “UNDEAD” breathing new life into the Summer. The song can be heard in the new season of “Monogatari” exclusively on Crunchyroll, today July 6th!
Stream “UNDEAD” on Spotify and Apple Music, and follow YOASOBI on Instagram for updates.
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