WONK spotlight Tokyo’s neo-soul sound on new album ‘Shades of’

Tokyo-based experimental soul band WONK return with ‘Shades of’, their first album in two years, released on 13th November.

Known for blending jazz, hip-hop, and neo-soul, WONK have brought together an international lineup of collaborators, including US artists Bilal, K-Natural, and T3 of Slum Village, as well as Japanese R&B legend Toshinobu Kubota.

The 12-track album, described by WONK as a “Tokyo-based beat music chronicle”, showcases their signature live beats alongside a wide-ranging collection of sounds from across the soul, hip-hop, and jazz spectrum. ‘Shades of’ highlights both established legends and emerging voices, featuring LA keyboardist Kiefer, Korean rapper BewhY, and Japanese artist Jinmenusagi. The pre-release single ‘Skyward’, which debuted on 30th October with BewhY, set the stage for the album’s reflective depth and eclectic sound.

‘Shades of’ explores themes of unlit “shadows” in WONK’s music, reflecting on the sounds they feel compelled to create for themselves. Since their 2016 debut ‘Sphere’, which first established them in Japan and internationally, WONK continue to challenge and surprise audiences both in Japan and abroad. They’ve since collaborated with José James and performed at major festivals, growing into one of Tokyo’s most intriguing live acts.

WONK will tour ‘Shades of’ across Japan, starting in Osaka on December 22nd and hitting cities including Tokyo, Sapporo, and Fukuoka through to March 2025.

‘Shades of’ is available on streaming platforms, with physical copies through EPISTROPH and Universal Music.

WONK “Shades of” Tour (Japan)

• 22nd December (Sun) – Osaka, Yogibo META VALLEY
• 12th January (Sun) – Tokyo, Spotify O-EAST
• 1st February (Tue) – Sapporo, SPICE Sapporo
• 7th February (Fri) – Fukuoka, BEAT STATION
• [Date TBC] February – Nagoya, Shangri-La
• 2nd March (Sun) – Kanazawa, GOLD CREEK
• 8th March (Tue) – Sendai, MACANA

Ticket information can be found via the official WONK website.

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