It has been announced that Ovall will release his new album, “Still Water,” on Wednesday, June 26th.
Ovall is a trio of members Shingo Suzuki, Shingo Sekiguchi, and mabanua who have all built up their careers as producers and grown as musicians. This is their fourth album, released about four and a half years after their previous album, Ovall, and includes a total of eight songs, including the pre-release singles “Cubism,” “It’s all about you feat. SIRUP,” and “Find you in the dark feat. Nenashi.”
In addition, other tracks include “Kage,” featuring Sarasa, a singer-songwriter from Shonan; “Peanuts,” created with Tab Zombie from SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS on trumpet and MELRAW, aka Ando Kohei, on alto sax; the dark and mellow instrumental short “Smoke,” as well as “Neon” and “Joker,” which are reminiscent of the underground session scene that is Ovall’s origins.The album is said to be one that is constantly evolving, yet somehow exudes an independent spirit that is unchanging.
The artwork was created by illustrator/artist Toyameg, who also participated in GREENROOM FESTIVAL ’24 and has held solo exhibitions around the world, including in LA, San Francisco, NY, Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka.
[Comment from Shingo Suzuki (Ovall)]
The songs on this album, which have been gradually accumulated over time, are some that were written and recorded in individual studios, and some that were written together in a studio. The songs that were produced without deciding on a direction are like a colorful lunch box. However, when you listen to all the songs through, you can hear the Ovall band sound at first glance. I think that it’s a collection of strong personalities. In turbulent times, everyone can change their appearance and become anything at any time, while standing quietly like unmoving water and holding their hidden feelings inside. I was indulging in such imaginations while quietly writing songs. I’m happy to be able to share the album with everyone again. See you at the next live show.
[Comment from Shingo Sekiguchi (Ovall)]
Perhaps because this album was produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, I feel that the individual colors of the three members are more strongly reflected in it. It’s a work full of freedom and experimentation, as if each member has one foot on the axis of Ovall and the other foot is pulling in their own music. Still, after being formed for about 18 years, I’ve recently come to feel that the good thing about the ever-changing ellipse is that in the end, they can all be put together and put the “Ovall” stamp on it and release it to the world. I hope you enjoy Ovall as it is now.
[Mabanua (Ovall) Comment]
It’s been a while since Ovall’s last new work. The previous work, “Ovall,” was based on the theme of “more solid, more simple,” but this time it’s colorful and three-dimensional, just like the jacket that Toyameg drew. Ovall prides itself on making music steadily with conviction even when the world around them is in turmoil, and since this is the band’s concept, I think it’s a literal “Still Water” album. Please give it a listen.
【release information】
Ovall “Still Water”
Release Date: 2024.06.26 (Wed.)
Label: origami PRODUCTIONS
Tracklist:
1. Cubism
2. It’s all about you feat. SIRUP
3. Peanuts
4. Neon
5. Shadow feat. Sarasa
6. Smoke
7. Find you in the dark feat. Nenashi
8. Joker
Artwork Illustration by Toyameg
*CD and digital
