This is J-RU’s fourth full album, his first in five years. It contains a total of 11 songs, including the previously announced digital singles “Sponsor” and “Halftime.”
This is a collection of works themed on “Something Good,” which naturally arises in the course of everyday life in his hometown. It is filled with his deep love for his hometown and the emotions he feels in casual moments, which he felt through interactions with his family, friends, and fans. It reflects emotions and deep insights that are different from his previous works, and explores the beauty and meaning hidden in everyday life.
The track “Choseibashi” on the album is a work that embodies the theme of this album, beautifully depicting the beauty hidden in the everyday, incorporating new sounds and approaches, showing his evolution as an artist and proposing a new perspective to listeners. Guest artists include local artists RANDM and KID-T (LOCAL SQUAD), who have been working together with him in the past, and breathe new life into the work. Also included is the original gospel song “Already Alright”, co-written with Japan’s leading gospel singer Harumi Katagiri, whose powerful message adds further depth to the album. The lead track “Michi no Tochuu” is a work that symbolizes the future that weaves the present, and was guest produced by MONBEE, a beatmaker active at the forefront of the scene.
The jacket design was done by KRAK (LOCAL SQUAD), and is a collage of photos that convey the everyday life of LOCAL SQUAD, with the intention of conveying the message that this album was formed through the people J-RU met and his interactions with them.
■ Release information
Artist by J-RU
Title by Something Good
Genre: R&B/Soul
Release Date 2024/09/24
Label by LOCAL SQUAD RECORDS
Release Link:https://lnk.to/J-RU_SG
■ Track List
M1 Halftime
M2 NANANA(Pt.2) feat. KID-T, RITA
M3 Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number
M4 Cheese & Wine
M5 Already Alright feat. Harumi Katagiri
M6 Go for it_feat. RANDM
M7 Suzuran Street
M8 Chosei Bridge
M9 KING TOWN BLUES
M10 Sponsor
M11 On the Road
■J-RU Profile
Born in Izumozaki Town, Mishima County, Niigata Prefecture
Born January 21, 1982
He was born and raised in a small port town that is said to have the largest sunset on the Japan Sea coast.
Fascinated by black music from his teenage years, he began composing music on his own, and began his career as an R&B singer at the age of 22 while working as a company employee.
He has released self-produced EPs and mix tapes, and released his first album “PRESENT” nationwide in 2012 and his second album “CROSSROAD” in 2014. He has also participated in numerous compilation albums featuring various major artists.
In 2017, he founded the art production company “LOCAL SQUAD” in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture with local friends, and released his third album “Life Notes” in 2019.
In January 2021, he released his self-produced album “KING TOWN BLUES,” which chronicles his memories of the local club scene, and it took first place on the iTunes Store’s R&B/SOUL chart, beating out many major artists.
He is currently working as a company employee and a father. He continues to create music that conveys the necessary messages he feels in our lives as a father, husband, and person.
■Official SNS
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jru_localsquad/
X: https://twitter.com/jru_localsquad
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNDVOuz7gcPzpqdpWa9Qejw/featured
Production Official site: https://www.localsquad.jp
