Japanese sensation Ado has once again captivated fans with the release of her second original album, “Zanmu”. The album, which dropped on July 10, 2024, under Universal Music Japan, marks the 21-year-old “Utaite” artist’s first full-length release since her critically acclaimed 2022 album, “Kyougen”. The album’s release acts as the follow-up to the single “RuLe”.
Ado has made an indelible mark on the music industry since her explosive 2020 debut with the hit single “Usseewa”. Her unique blend of powerful vocals and evocative storytelling has earned her a dedicated global following, culminating in the success of her first world tour, “Wish”. The tour, which launched in February 2024, saw Ado become the first female solo artist to sell out Japan National Stadium—an achievement that underscores her monumental rise in the music world.
“Zanmu” delivers a dynamic mix of songs that showcase Ado’s versatility and emotional depth. Among the standout tracks is “Show”, a mega-hit that she performed during her debut at the prestigious Kouhaku Uta Gassen in Japan. The album also features “Kura Kura”, the opening theme for the second season of the popular anime series SPY×FAMILY, and “Himawari”, the theme song for the TBS drama series 18/40: Futari Nara Yume mo Koi mo. Fans will also recognize “Chocolat Cadabra”, released earlier in 2024 as part of Lotte Chocolate’s 60th-anniversary campaign, along with several new tracks that further cement Ado’s status as a genre-defying artist.
The visual appeal of “Zanmu” is equally as captivating as its music. The album cover, crafted by ORIHARA—Ado’s image director—presents a powerful image of this Japanese singer seen from behind, peering through a large window. This scene, awash in radiant light, captures the complex emotions and dreams Ado has lived through, along with the memories she has left in the past.
For collectors and die-hard fans, “Zanmu” is available in multiple special editions. The Limited Quantity Big Acrylic Stand & Blu-ray Edition, Limited Blu-ray Edition, and Limited DVD Edition all include a live performance video of “Wish”, captured during Ado’s Los Angeles show on her world tour—a highlight praised for its electrifying energy. The limited editions are available to buy from her international store for everyone outside of Japan, whilst those in Japan can buy from the Japanese Universal Music Store.
Reflecting on the album, Ado said: “Until now, I have released ‘Kyougen’, ‘UTA’S SONGS ONE PIECE FILM RED’, and ‘Ado’s Utattemita Album’, so the fact that this new release is only the second Original Album, surprises me. I hope you enjoy the world of Ado that was powered up since the release of my first Original Album.”
She continues by explaining that, “‘Zanmu’ is an existing word, meaning, dreams that were never realized, or lingering dreams that remain in the heart even upon awakening. I have always loved this word and thought it represented the dreams I have fulfilled in my life and the youth that could not be fulfilled.”
Adding to this, she said, “Things from the past become glorified as they fade into the past, shining brightly, and this concept resonates with the bittersweet feelings within me as an individual working alone all this time. I hope that those bittersweet feelings of mine will become enduring dreams, just as I hope that Ado’s presence, songs, music, Vocaloid, and Utaite will become something that all the listeners of the album hold onto in their hearts as enduring dreams, as ‘Zanmu’. I named my album with this sentiment in mind.”
The album starts with “Nukegara”, opening it up perfectly as Ado showcases her versatility and her gorgeous vocals. Catchy and heartfelt, this Japanese superstar doesn’t hold back and neither does the production, keeping pace and blending perfectly. This leads brilliantly into “missing” which only goes and turns our expectations on they’re heads as J-rock beams proudly out within the first 20 seconds. Still with electro on her side, Ado brings some awesome drums and guitars to the backing track, while she sings from deep inside, capturing us with her vocals.
The third track on the album is “DIGNITY”, where Ado strips it back for a pop ballad, impressing with incredible vocal runs and an emotional intensity that only the best singers around the world can achieve. This is followed by “Chocolat Cadabra” which switches the entire album up, bringing a rhythmic and tuneful production that surrounds her beautiful voice. The track is popular in Japan as it was released to commemorate Lotte Chocolate’s 60th Anniversary, which explains the pop-rock theme. Easily a standout on the album, for all the right reasons, this track further cements Ado as a versatile artist.
“Kura Kura” follows next, the opening theme for the second season of the popular anime series SPY×FAMILY, which is situated perfectly on the album after “Chocolat Cadabra”. The track leads more into the rhythmic pop-rock vibe, unsurprisingly as it is an opening theme to an anime series, with an addictive chorus that truly allows Ado to shine. Next up is “I’m A Controversy” which sees her take a lower registry on her vocals while unlocking a passionate and heartfelt tone which is surrounded by experimental electronic pop-rock energy. Easily our favourite on the album, this addictive chorus is set to hit listeners hard and get stuck in one’s head.
The seventh track on the album is “Rebellion” which has a ’00s rock-inspired production that exudes nostalgia, mixed around J-rock style and Ado’s bilingual lyrics where she jumps from Japanese to English and back again with a finessed smoothness. Incredible and awe-inspiring, this Japanese singer doesn’t hold back and proves exactly why she’s becoming a global superstar. “All Night Radio” is the next track and it starts with Ado counting in the beat with English numbers, before jumping into Japanese. The intoxicating pop beat transcends throughout the track, while Ado brings a soulful twist to the chorus with the title sung in English, easily connecting with international listeners and making us want to listen to this again and again.
The next track is the theme song for the TBS drama series 18/40: Futari Nara Yume mo Koi mo, titled “Himawari”, which dives into a more gentle pop side to Ado that we haven’t seen yet. She shines on this pop ballad hitting flawless notes and unlocking heart-filled emotions, continuing to prove her versatility. It is followed by “Eien No Akuruhi”, a track that outstands us from the get-go as Ado slows the album down completely with an acoustic-like start as her astonishing voice is accompanied by subtle instruments, making sure her vocals take the spotlight. Then, in almost a minute, she unleashes power with all her force, hitting us deep inside. This is a truly unforgettable power ballad.
Track number 11 is “MIRROR” which gives us another side of Ado. Starting with deep bass guitar chords and a few finger clicks, this track infuses a bit of funk into her pop music style, bringing some deep groove and a catchy hook that totally suits her gorgeous voice. This is followed by “RuLe”, which takes the funky style and heightens it around electronic beats, while Ado brings some hard rock to the table with her vocals, creating a warped electro-rock track that is hard not to like.
“Show” is the next track which was a megahit for her, charting at Number 1 on the Japan Hot 100 and even charted at Number 44 on the Billboard Global 200 chart, additionally it was used by Universal Studios Japan to promote their Halloween event, Halloween Horror Nights. The track also got remixed by British superstar DJ Jax Jones in December 2023.
The track is a defining song on this album, completely unexpected production-wise as Ado launches into the EDM world whilst bringing with her a variety of Asian pop sounds that appeal to audiences globally. It should be a mix-match that doesn’t work, but Ado brings it like no other and transforms it into a catchy number that is truly unforgettable with some addicting Japanese and English lyrics. We’re not surprised it became a megahit for her.
How do you follow that track on an album? Instead of putting her megahit song first or last, it’s at number 13, and “Ibara” doesn’t disappoint as the next song. Starting off with just a guitar and her powerful vocals, this track flares up our ’00s rock nostalgia again, as the song embellishes rock elements throughout as Ado hits strong notes and a beautiful falsetto. “Value” is the next track, unlocking a soft pop-rock vibe that transforms into more of a power rock ballad, with some awesome drums leading the beat as her faultless voice hits every lyric and note, ensuring every listener gets chills.
The last track on the album, number 15, is titled “0” and it is a unique experimental pop-rock track with electronic elements and some fast lyrical content, giving a rap flow, that then warps into some J-pop before transforming into a hard-rock vocal that then twists into a techno instrumental with some industrial house. Ado takes back control with her vocals jumping back in as she keeps up with the music genre colliding going on. A clever production style that takes experimental to a whole other level and ends this album brilliantly.
Ado’s “Zanmu” is a masterclass in versatility and emotional depth, blending genres from pop and rock to EDM and experimental sounds, all while showcasing her powerful vocals. Each track brings something unique, yet the album remains cohesive, making it a compelling journey that highlights Ado’s growth as an artist and solidifies her place as one of Japan’s most innovative musical talents.
“Zanmu”, by Ado, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via Universal Music. The album is also available in multiple special editions including The Limited Quantity Big Acrylic Stand & Blu-ray Edition, Limited Blu-ray Edition, and Limited DVD Edition which all include a live performance video of “Wish”, captured during her Los Angeles show on her world tour. The limited editions are available to buy from her international store for everyone outside of Japan, whilst those in Japan can buy from the Japanese Universal Music Store. As Ado embarks on this new chapter with “Zanmu”, fans and newcomers alike will find themselves drawn into the rich world she continues to create.