TOKYO, JAPAN – Japanese alternative pop artist Ako releases ‘Lovely Moments’, her highly anticipated second full-length album, out now via IRORI Records / PONY CANYON INC. Arriving approximately two years after her major debut ‘GENE’ (July 2024), the 12-track album marks a creative evolution grounded in Y2K nostalgia from the early 2000s, capturing a distinctly tender and reflective artistic vision.
The Album: Y2K Nostalgia Reimagined
‘Lovely Moments’ explores the theme of Y2K culture through Ako’s signature whisper vocals and delicate alternative pop sensibilities. The album weaves together introspective songwriting with meticulously crafted production, creating a cohesive sonic landscape that celebrates the fleeting, precious moments that define human connection.
“For me, it’s when I drink some tea and relax while listening to music, and also, when I sleep with my beloved dog, Ron!” Ako explains. “I hope you enjoy your own ‘lovely moments’ with my music.”
The album’s thematic foundation reflects Ako’s continued exploration of youth, love, and the bittersweet beauty of transient moments—themes that have defined her artistic voice since her 2024 breakthrough.
Anime Collaborations & Creative Contributors
‘Lovely Moments’ features two major anime collaborations: “Turn It Up” serves as the ending theme for TV anime ‘THE DARWIN INCIDENT’ (Amazon Prime exclusive), whilst “MOVE MOVE” is the second cour opening theme for ‘Me and the Alien MuMu’. Both tracks exemplify Ako’s ability to craft emotionally resonant music that complements narrative-driven visual storytelling.
The album’s mixing was helmed by an internationally acclaimed team: Nathan Boddy (known for his work with NewJeans, Black Country, New Road, and James Blake), Masashi Uramoto (Sakanaction), and Norio Terada (Vaundy). This combination of world-class engineering ensures the album’s Y2K-inspired production maintains both nostalgic warmth and contemporary sonic clarity.
New Single: “Love Was Born”
The new single “Love Was Born” (music video out now) captures the album’s essence—a delicate exploration of emerging love set against Y2K sonic textures. The accompanying music video visualizes the song’s intimate emotional landscape, complementing Ako’s signature aesthetic vision developed through her creative collective “londog”.
Album Teaser & Vinyl Release
An album teaser movie offers a cinematic introduction to ‘Lovely Moments’, establishing the album’s visual and sonic world ahead of full release.
A limited analog vinyl edition of ‘Lovely Moments’ is scheduled for release on 3rd June 2026, allowing collectors and audiophiles to experience the album’s meticulously mixed production in high-fidelity format.