Ichiko Aoba has shared “Sonar,” the song is off the artist’s forthcoming album Luminescent Creatures, available February 28th via hermine/Psychic Hotline. As the album’s emotional core, the track positions sonar (sound navigation and ranging) as a metaphor for finding human connection amidst the depths of loneliness. “SONAR” features a delicate veil of shimmering synthesizers that serve as the backdrop to a simple arrangement of just Aoba’s voice and a keyboard, highlighting the song’s poignant lyrics and elegant melody. Aoba sings: “Beyond the darkness, a glimmer of /somebody’s voyce / I am here, although / I know not where, and yet / I hear it.” Here, her own voice is low in the mix as if suppressed by insurmountable depths. An echo of Aoba’s voice creeps in, reverberating like the graceful song of a marine mammal trying to find its friends.

Next month, Aoba will kick off her world tour in support of Luminescent Creatures, bringing her to North America in April where she will be accompanied by Wordless Music Quintet on select dates.

Ichiko Aoba 2025 Tour Dates

Mon. Feb. 24 – Hong Kong, CN @ Xi Qu Centre, Grand Theatre [with Musicians from HK Phil]
Wed. Feb. 26 – Seoul, KR @ Sky Arts Hall (SOLD OUT)
Thu. Feb 27 – Seoul, KR @ Sky Arts Hall
Thu. March 6 – Taipei, TW @ Zhongshan Hall (SOLD OUT)
Mon. March 10 – Barcelona, ES @ Paral.lel 62
Tue. March 11 – Valencia, ES @ Teatro Rambleta
Thu. March 13 – Milan, IT @ Auditorium San Fedele (SOLD OUT)
Sat. March 15 – Zurich, CH @ Mascotte
Tue. March 18 – Hamburg, DE @ Laiszhalle
Wed. March 19 – Berlin, DE @ Urania (Humboldtsaal)
Fri. March 21 – Utrecht, NL @ TivoliVredenburg (Grote Zaal) (SOLD OUT)
Sun. March 23 – Groningen, NL @ Oosterpoort
Tue. March 25 – Antwerp, BE @ De Roma
Thu. March 27 – Paris, FR @ La Trianon (SOLD OUT)
Mon. March 31 – London, UK @ Barbican [with 12 Ensemble] (SOLD OUT)
Wed. April 2 – Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall (SOLD OUT)
Fri. April 4 – Gateshead, UK @ The Glasshouse
Sat. April 5 – Glasgow, UK @ City Halls
Thu. April 17 – Honolulu, HI @ Hawaii Theatre
Sat. April 19 – Vancouver, BC @ Chan Centre (SOLD OUT)
Sun. April 20 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall
Mon. April 21 – Seattle, WA @ The Moore
Wed. April 23 – Oakland, CA @ Fox Oakland
Sat. April 26 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern [with Wordless Music Quintet]
Sun. April 27 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Wiltern [with Wordless Music Quintet]
Tue. April 29 – Scottsdale, AZ @ Scottsdale Center
Thu. May 1 – Denver, CO @ Paramount Theatre
Sat. May 3 – St. Paul, MN @ Fitzgerald Theatre (SOLD OUT)
Sun. May 4- St Paul, MN @ Fitzgerald Theatre
Tue. May 6 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
Wed. May 7 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall
Fri. May 9 – Detroit, MI @ Masonic Cathedral Theatre
Sat. May 10 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre
Mon. May 12 – Boston, MA @ Berklee Performance Center
Wed. May 14 – New York, NY @ Kings Theatre [with Wordless Music Quintet]
Sat. May 17 – Philadelphia, PA @ Miller Theatre
Sun. May 18 – Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre
Thu. May 22 – Mexico City, MX @ Teatro Metropolitan

Pre-order Luminescent Creatures HERE