Utaha, longtime model and vocalist of Wednesday Campanella, released her first solo album, ‘Utauyouni, Hogarakani’ (Singing Cheerfully), on July 4th.
The announcement of Utaha’s solo endeavour came during the opening concert of Wednesday Campanella’s ‘POP DELIVERY’ Zepp tour in Sapporo. During the concert, a video revealed her plans to balance her contributions to Wednesday Campanella with her solo career. Fans reacted with enthusiasm, embracing her new direction.
‘Utauyouni, Hogarakani’ features eight tracks, all composed by Utaha, diverging from the electronic sound of Wednesday Campanella to explore a rich band-oriented musical style. Ichiro Yoshida (ex-Zazen Boys) produced the album, contributing significantly to the arrangement and playing bass and guitar. Drummer BOBO and sound engineer Uni Inoue also played pivotal roles, helping Utaha shape the album’s distinctive band sound.
Utaha’s decision to embark on a solo project stemmed from her desire to create music that closely reflects her personal thoughts and experiences, which she felt could not be fully expressed within the framework of Wednesday Campanella. In her solo work, she aims to explore different musical styles and thematic content, creating a diverse and introspective record.
In addition to the album’s release, Utaha released her first music video for the project, ‘MY BODY IS CUTE’. The song presents reflective lyrics about self-acceptance and embracing one’s true self, highlighted by a catchy chorus and heartfelt verses, complemented by a sweet and vibrant video.
The digital release of ‘Utauyouni, Hogarakani’ coincided with the announcement of a physical CD release scheduled for August 9th, Utaha’s 23rd birthday. Pre-orders for the CD began on July 4th, with fans who reserve their copies at the Zepp tour venues receiving an autographed postcard.
Moreover, Utaha’s first solo concert is set to take place at Shinjuku LOFT in Tokyo on the same day as the CD release, promising a live band performance that will bring her new music to life on stage.
Wednesday Campanella ‘POP DELIVERY’ Zepp Tour 2024
9th July (Tue) – Fukuoka, Zepp Fukuoka
17th July (Wed) – Osaka, Zepp Osaka Bayside
18th July (Thu) – Aichi, Zepp Nagoya
31st July (Wed) – Tokyo, Zepp Haneda
Utaha
Utauyouni, Hogarakani
Release Date: 04/07/2024
Label: WARNER MUSIC JAPAN
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music
CD: CDJapan
