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Hosono's New Sound: 79-Year-Old Legend Returns to US
2 Sep
Summary
- Haruomi Hosono, 79, releases new album 'Yours Sincerely' and tours the US.
- He is a pioneer of Japanese pop, influencing global artists like Harry Styles.
- His new album explores themes of kindness with electronic and classical influences.
Haruomi Hosono, the 79-year-old influential figure in Japanese pop, is set to make a significant return to the U.S. this month. He will release his latest solo album, "Yours Sincerely," on September 11, 2026. This new work features prayerful lullabies blending bubbling electronics and soft guitars, a shift from his previous focus on American roots music.
Hosono, a primary architect of contemporary Japanese pop, has a career spanning over five decades. He gained Western recognition through his bands Happy End and Yellow Magic Orchestra, and as a solo artist. Recent endorsements from major acts like Harry Styles and Vampire Weekend have amplified his influence.
The album "Yours Sincerely" delves into themes of kindness and motherly love, inspired by the Japanese concept of 'omoiyari.' Hosono explained that the translation of 'compassion or empathy' didn't fully capture his feeling, leading him to the word 'sincerely.'
His extensive career began in the postwar era, immersing himself in Western pop culture. After forming Happy End, which revolutionized Japanese rock by singing in their native language, Hosono later co-founded Yellow Magic Orchestra, a pioneering electronic music trio. He is scheduled to perform at Radio City Music Hall in New York and the Greek Theater in Los Angeles.
