Photo by Jesse Kojima

Hikage from Sapporo, Japan may be one of the country’s best-kept secrets. With an explosive sound, wild live shows and a vibe that sets them apart from rest of Japan’s saturated core music scene, it’s about time that we start talking about them more. Luckily they have given us something to talk about, with new single ‘Happy‘ and Japanese tour announcement.

‘Happy’ is the bands first release this year, a follow up from last August’s EP ‘SYOKISHODO’. The new tune offers a vibrant soundscape, giving us not just an emotional lyrical mood, but a sonic one too. With pop-punk style choruses and furious metalcore verses, the band manages to blend these styles to create something fresh and melancholic. A catchy bop that once you have it on, it’s hard to not hit that repeat button.

If you are going to be in Japan this July, then see if you are able to catch the band on their four dates across the country. The tour kicks off in Osaka on July 14, then Nagoya July 15, Tokyo on July 19 and a tour finale in their hometown of Sapporo on July 28. All dates are a oneman show, except for Tokyo, with a special guest yet to be announced.

You can stream ‘Happy’ by Hikage here.

Tickets for their tour are available here*.
(Please note, you may need to be in Japan to purchase)