AiNA THE END has released her third studio album, ‘RUBY POP’, her first full-length solo release in three years. The 17-track album, following 2021’s ‘THE ZOMBIE’, spans emotive ballads, upbeat pop anthems, and experimental cuts, showcasing her evolution as a solo artist since BiSH disbanded.
‘RUBY POP’ gathers some of AiNA’s most pivotal tracks from the past two years, including ‘Love Sick’ (Mononoke The Movie), ‘Aikotoba’ (The Apothecary Diaries), and ‘Red:birthmark’ (Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury). The album’s lead single, ‘Poppin’ Run’, brings a club edge, merging drum and bass with house influences, to her already eclectic catalogue.
In an interview with avex portal, AiNA explained the album’s title, ‘RUBY POP’, as a reflection of the deeply personal journey behind its creation. She revealed how the concept stemmed from seeing each track as a “gem”, shaped by her experiences over the past three years:
“When I looked back on the past three years, I noticed I had used the word ‘treasure’ in three songs: ‘Takaramono’ (Treasure), ‘Houseki no Hibi’ (Jewel Days), and ‘Jewelry Kiss’. I realised that I tend to treat my songs as if they’re jewels, carefully crafting them with that kind of mindset… Every single one of them sparkled with memories; ‘This song was made with that person’, ‘This one was written during a freezing winter’. I realised, ‘These are all genuine gems’. That’s why I chose the title ‘RUBY POP’—it represents my current treasure box.”
AiNA detailed her growing role in the production process, emphasising how hands-on she is in achieving her envisioned sound:
“I’ve become really particular about mixing. There were even times when, after spending about eight hours on a mix, I’d go back and have it redone from scratch because I just wasn’t satisfied… Compared to before, I think my personality and creative instincts are much more present in the sound production now.”
Moreover, to celebrate the release, AiNA hosted a one-night-only acoustic event at Tokyo’s TOKYO NODE, performing select tracks from ‘RUBY POP’ and premiering the music video for ‘Poppin’ Run’. The video’s message—rejecting competition and celebrating individuality—aligns closely with the album’s overarching themes of connection and self-acceptance.
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‘RUBY POP’ caps off a milestone year for AiNA, who sold out her first solo show at Nippon Budokan in September. Her critically acclaimed role in Kyrie earned her a Newcomer of the Year award at the Japan Academy Awards in 2023, and she collaborated with Kenshi Yonezu on ‘MARGHERITA’, featured on his chart-topping album ‘LOST CORNER’.
Available now in digital and physical formats, ‘RUBY POP’ sets the stage for AiNA’s upcoming HARINEZUMI SMILE tour, kicking off in January 2025 with intimate live house performances across Japan.
AiNA THE END
RUBY POP
Release Date: 27/11/2024
Label: avex
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music
CD: CD-only | CD+DVD | Limited Edition CD+Blu-ray
AiNA THE END ‘HARINEZUMI SMILE’ Zepp Tour 2025
- 22nd January (Wed) – Kanagawa, KT Zepp Yokohama
- 26th January (Sun) – Hokkaido, Zepp Sapporo
- 10th February (Mon) – Tokyo, Zepp Haneda
- 11th February (Tue, Holiday) – Tokyo, Zepp Haneda
- 16th February (Sun) – Fukuoka, Zepp Fukuoka
- 24th February (Mon) – Miyagi, GIGS
- 5th March (Wed) – Osaka, Zepp Namba
- 6th March (Thu) – Osaka, Zepp Namba
- 17th March (Mon) – Aichi, Zepp Nagoya
- 18th March (Tue) – Aichi, Zepp Nagoya
Tour details can be found on AiNA THE END’s official website.
