ist releases their 8th single "Encore," a song about anxiety and determination for the uninterrupted future.

“Encore” artwork

In 2022, the three-member unit “ist” (pronounced “IST”), formed with neighbors within a 10-minute walking distance, released eight singles, including this one, over the course of about two years of activity in parallel with live performances.

Vocalist Keiko Inoue and 4ho were classmates in high school and college, and at the time they formed a duo and mainly performed in the school hallways. They later built their careers in separate bands, and when they reunited after a long time, ΣKIYM (pronounced: Ekimu), a friendly older brother figure from the neighborhood, joined them. This latest work, “Encore,” was written and composed by Keiko Inoue, and arranged and produced by ΣKIYM. 4ho produced the artwork for all eight works. The lyrics, which spell out anxiety and determination for the uninterrupted future, make this a memorable song. This is a song that should be listened to by anyone who is feeling a little tired and wants to take a break.

Various distribution services:https://lnk.to/ist_encore

(Keiko Inoue (vocals, lyrics, composition)) Comment

If you can fast forward, surely there’s no problem with doing so?

I feel like I’m the only one who has been completely left behind by everyone else, and I’m overcome with an immense sense of anxiety.

Still, when the encore starts, you have to go back on stage.

Not really having an answer, I timidly hold out my wounded leg again.

…Is that how everyone lives? I think so. Probably.

(4ho (Vocals and Artwork)) Comment

“Life is hard, so be strong”

One day, my mother sent me this email out of the blue, even though we hadn’t exchanged any messages.

I was feeling a little down at the time, so the fact that I thought, “My mother is amazing,” made a big impression on me.

That was the first thing that came to mind when I heard this song.

At the same time, for me, the lyrics bring back memories of various parts of my life over the past eight years while living nearby with Mr. Hainoue.

Events that make you want to shout out loud when you remember them, a reality that is a little different from what you had imagined, times when you feel like only you have stopped, your life, etc.

But I interpret this song as saying, “But you have no choice but to keep moving forward!”

I hope that it will make everyone who listens to it think, “Yes!”

(ΣKIYM (arrangement, recording and mixing)) Comment

Regarding this latest album, “Encore,” the first demo recording that Keiko sent me was a piano and vocal performance with a jazzy feel.

This is not a danceable arrangement, but rather a chill, lo-fi sound, so I tried making it in a different way than usual.

I especially like the lyrics of this song, and it really touched my heart. I wonder if this song will be a salvation for people who are also struggling with daily anxiety…

I don’t know if that’s true, but I think people can sympathize with the fact that there are other people out there who feel the same way.

Please listen.

●Overview of the work

[Artist]ist

[Title]Encore

[Release date]Friday, June 7, 2024

Genre: Lo-fi hip-hop, alternative, J-Pop

[Lyrics]Keiko Inoue

[Composer]ΣKIYM, Keiko Inoue

[Arrangement]ΣKIYM

[Various distribution services]https://lnk.to/ist_encore

● PODCAST (updated every Friday)

https://open.spotify.com/show/67BIHeTPCmIsADqvwwqUHs

● Playlist information

Playlists selected by each of the three artists are now available on Spotify.

A nice selection that lets you know what songs they like and what songs they like to listen to often!

[Keiko Inoue Play List]

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/383ew1RCswz3oYA0kcfrJF

[4ho Play List]

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2nyqP81bPD7ggLYc2KnWwm

[ΣKIYM Play List]

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4aJjjPx2iruGQtmrwFfMCl

●ist (IST) Profile

In 2019, high school classmates 4ho, vocalist of “ANYO”, and Keiko Inoue, vocalist of “ENTHRALLS”, formed the unit “is”. (During high school, they mainly performed in school hallways as “Shinosuke”.) In 2022, ΣKIYM from “nego” joined the group, and they began performing as a new unit called “ist”.

The 8th single “Encore” will be released in June 2024.

●Official SNS

ist

X:https://twitter.com/ist_official_tw

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ist_official_ig

Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ist_japan

Keiko Inoue

X:https://twitter.com/keiko_stp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keiiko1234

4ho

X:https://twitter.com/4ho___

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/4ho