The Greatest Singer You Can't Understand

[@Volksgeist]

Go check out Danger Music, my documentary about the darkest, edgiest corners of music history, only on Nebula: go.nebula.tv/volksgeist

[@JAPANESE_MAPLE]

ok i will

[@LorenzoNW]

If you like Ichiko's music, you owe it to yourself to explore Aiko Shimada's discography. Her music is a hidden treasure, especially her first album, Bright And Dark.

[@oxymoron4060]

please check out the singer "Dimash" with 7 octave range. although he is famous in china and russia but still very underrated

[@taylorsriffs]

What song do you use in the background? It sounds beautiful and I really want to try and learn it by ear on guitar. (At around 17:55.)

[@NoelYonathan]

Never thought I'd see a video on Ichiko Aoba!! Her music feels like a deep calm, it's extremely human and beautiful

[@abyssofpg]

exactly

[@RetiredRobot]

Very human

[@noname-zp2zk]

Design is very human

[@blazingstar9638]

Her tone 🥹 is angelic 😇

[@bondi919]

Windswept Adan is one of the best albums of this decade

[@zen6529]

all time

[@the-ph2pk]

it’s my favorite album ever

[@bondi919]

​@@zen6529 i have it on the best section of this decade up with Porter Robinson, Big Thief, Louis Cole and Natalia Lafourcade

[@zen6529]

@@bondi919 so valid

[@bondi919]

FVK , LUCIFERINE JUST CAME OUT AND IT MADE ME TEAR UP IM SO EXCITED FOR THE NEW LP

[@Huntertribe88]

The first time I hear Ichiko. I was listening to a shuffled city pop playlist on Spotify and "Pilgimage" came on. I, instantly became a fan before the song could finish

[@maazwaseem8313]

Been a fan for many years at this point - so so glad she's finally getting her flowers for having one of the best and most unique discographies in all of modern music

[@yeetthebeet]

saw her live last year it was a life changing experience one of the most beautiful voices ever

[@shadow-vf6ef]

💯

[@BrunoNeureiter]

In what way did it change your life?

[@overthebridge_]

ive had the privilege of seeing her live three times now, and it truly is life-changing. every moment is so unique and it's like you're temporarily transported to a universe where fairies and mystical creatures exist, and we're just allowed to observe them. one of a kind, truly

[@mcnoobdestroyer]

Saw her this year it was amazing

[@pelv3027]

Thank you for this, I've seen her three times in the states. I love her music. More Japanese bands need more attention like Lamp, toe, the fishmens, and a picture of her.

[@ronaldwagner3]

TOE MENTIONED

[@owlsen932]

a picture of her is madly underrated, nice to see another listener

[@philip7094]

toe :D

[@yayyforglitter]

do u have more recs?? :0

[@pelv3027]

@@yayyforglitter kaneko ayano, the whoops, Lucie too, elephant gym, indigo la end, tricot and eastern youth.

[@aerith119]

Her name already engraved in my heart for years.

[@ornj1]

If you guys like Ichiko Aoba, also check out Lamp! I thought she was the lead singer of Lamp for so long… they both make some great music

[@Rushheh]

Saw her about a month ago now. The most beautiful and transcendent concert I have ever gone too. Cried the whole time

[@koolarooo]

I’ve gotten to see her live twice. The last time was amazing. It was in a small bath house in Kyoto. Everyone sat on the bathhouse stools or in the tubs. Part way through the show rain stated falling on the glass ceiling which added to the already good ambiance. She played the encore in the bathtub next to me. I don’t think I’ll ever experience that kind of show again.

[@sureemp]

thats insane

[@gabrielmarciu69]

I'm actually eternally grateful to Anthony Fantano because I found her music through his review of Windswept Adan. Since 2022 she's been one of my top 3 or top 5 artists every year. I'm completely in awe and in love with her music and voice. It surrounds my ears and soul with warm and cozy vibes that I've felt only in select moments, some with people that are very dear to me. The fact that growing up she felt lonely makes her music mean even more because her music has the opposite effect. It makes me not feel lonely anymore. She somehow manages to convey a very intimate feeling in a world where intimacy and human connection become increasingly rare. It's a different kind of intimacy from what you usually get from "personal records". You can think of albums where the artist pours their soul out for the listener and you get to form a deep personal connection with them. This isn't that. It feels more like love. A cat snuggling up to you in bed, laying down in a field of grass at sunset, sitting underneath a tree in a forest with your eyes closed, embracing someone you love to bits... moments where life just clicks.

[@FesRJoseph]

I had listened to Ichiko for 8,031 mins on spotify last year. She's my favorite artist, a lot of her songs are some of the most beautiful I've ever listened to. Seabed Eden, Akatombo, Orphaned Rain, We The Survivors, and Gift BGM are my favorite songs. I listen to her before going to sleep almost every day, and her soundscape is one of the leading inspirations for the book I'm writing. All that to say, I love Ichiko, I hope to see her live someday.

[@FesRJoseph]

I don't know any artist quite similar to Ichiko, her voice is very unique, but I can recommend some composers/song writers who are unique in their own way and I love akin to Ichiko; Rita Payés, Eiko Ishibashi, Toshifumi Hinata.

[@davidichado6703]

What's are page name on Spotify?

[@shoegazeluvr]

shes so amazing, genuinely changed my life from the first time i heard her music.. i love her so so much

[@arkhamskida]

😮 sames

[@RizkyGusna]

I discover her in pandemic days 2020, one of my best music discovery. Got me through tough days.

[@UntangledKnots]

I’m surprised at the variety of Japanese music that is getting attention in the west these days. I didn’t know she was so famous, I just learned about her through her side project NUAMM

[@bexclue3007]

It's no surprise, really. Kenshi blew open the door for a pipeline between Vocaloid and the music industry around 2012. The Vocaloid scene that was frowned upon until then got a lot of attention and others (like Suda Masaki) followed quickly. The success created a huge community of passionate musicians (not just producers but singers, instrumentalists etc) also helped by the fact that Japan has the second lowest general happiness index in the entire world among youths. In other words tons of troubled teens, social outcasts etc who would find refuge in the Vocaloid Community (we're talking tens of thousands here) All musicians who do whatever they want to do without compromise and couldn't care less what the industry conventions dictate. In 2018, Kenshi had his major international breakthrough with Lemon, becoming the first international Japanese Star and proving to other Japanese musicians that it's possible. But most importantly it happened during a time where Japanese Pop Culture was booming already bc of anime etc and his success drew attention from all over the World (people checking out his discography, discovering that there are other cool Japanese artists etc) In 2020, Fujii Kaze was next in line to have a huge International hit with Shinunoga E-Wa. Same year 17yo Ado (also from the Vocaloid scene) had her Universal Debut with one of the most successful debut singles ever and the most successful Japanese single ever at the time, becoming the youngest ever artist to reach #1 on Billboards (she is by far the biggest vocal talent Japan has ever produced) In 2022, Ado became the first Japanese Artist to reach #1 on Global Charts and in the same year Kenshi became the first Japanese artist to win Gold in the US. Then in 2023, Idol happened. Already one of the most successful pop songs ever (over 500m views on YT in a year) and Yoasobi became the second Japanese artists to hit #1 on Global Charts after Ado (Yoasobi's Ayase also from Vocaloid scene). And Lil Uzi Vert had a feature with Baby Metal (4th most streamed song on his 26 song album) bc he loves them and wanted to introduce them to his listeners. Over the past 10 years the Japanese music scene has exploded and its influence on the West has also continuously grown. Billie Eilish has been in love with Japanese pop culture since a little child and Harry Styles, Post Malone, Cavetown, Conan Gray, grandson etc all sound like some sort of mixture of Kenshi, Eve, King Gnu etc. This trend will continue bc those Japanese artists are cracked, the Vocaloid scene is a gold mine of talent and the presence of Japanese music will become way more common - it's already becoming pretty normal for Japanese artists to perform concerts or at least play at some festivals here and there in the US. Not just the "big ones" but even people like Ano etc who don't even have 1m monthly listeners on Spotify

[@juniesdream]

Ichiko Aoba is my favorite artist of all time and inspired me to such a degree that I decided to become a musician. I write music in an orchestral folk style with her and Joe Hisaishi being my biggest influences. Her music brought me to tears when I heard it and truly touched my heart. I'm releasing my 2nd full length album next month "The Celestial Palace". I have a cover of Umibe no Soretsu from her qp album on my channel. I will listen to Ichiko Aoba for the rest of my life and I hope her music reaches as far across the world as possible.

[@ivorydeath]

i've been listening to her since 2018 she is THE MOST beautiful voice to have ever lived bar none i'm pretty sure even angel's envy her voice

[@ajolotemusica]

i'm so happy that this video was recommended to me. you did justice to ichiko with this great video! i was lucky enough to watch her perform last november and then i stumbled upon her on the street after the show. i approached her with my broken japanese and she was incredibly nice and humble. she signed all my four CDs i was carrying with me (and even took the time to do a little drawing on each one), and we even took a picture together (even though she very kindly asked me to not post it on social media), and every time i look at that picture my heart melts. i'm so glad that i could speak japanese so we could hold a conversation (she barely speaks any english). i'll never forget that day. thanks for making this video and maybe introducing her to more people ❤️

[@sakurachristineito6428]

I relate when Ichiko quit music lessons cause her teachers were bad...growing up, my music teachers also yelled at me a few times & apparently it was kinda brutal. But I can say I was really strong & happy as a kid so those words never penetrated me & I was totally unaffected. But my mom heard it & she immediately fired my teachers..so yeah music teachers can be bad especially in Asia.

[@Waryfuls]

talk about a soothing voice... DAMN

[@elichronicles5841]

I know nothing about her but I swear I love her.

[@thisdeath]

man, such beautiful voice... girls seriously have such beautiful voices

[@Hitoritaka]

Love seeing stuff like this. The JP backwaters of music have so much that is precious and separate to my life experiences. I still go back to Rurutia and had to go there right after this. She was also very guarded in her music and identity.

[@blazingstar9638]

Woah that tone is gorgeous 🥹

[@lukesavage749]

The algorithm is how I found Ichiko Aoba a year ago, and I could not be more grateful for it! She’s now one of my favorite artists and it’s great to get to learn more about her story!

[@wongvunyu8461]

Ya know, beauty like these iscry to me, it feels so gentle t at thesame time fraile. I hope great tigs comes to her along the journey.

[@LeBeautiful]

THE RETURN OF PHILLIP

[@bryson0206]

heyy haven't seen you in a long time

[@illmonohue]

did not expect an ichiko aoba video from this channel. as someone who loved windswept adan, this is a nice thing to come across finally

[@_kevincarpio_]

I will forever link Ichiko's work with another folk artist I adore, Wished Bone. I discovered both around the same time back in 2018 and their music, emotion, and lyricism have deeply shaped and affected the way I live my life. Thank you for making this video.

[@scirazzbrehh]

Her music sounds like that one majestic causal channel I found in like 2012 but way more refined

[@guycommons]

fantastic video, and a wonderful artist.

[@flowerss.992]

I Love ྀིྀི your editing style! I thoroughly enjoyed this video 💗

[@dmquil]

Great documentary! You really did an amazing job showcasing why Ichiko Aoba's work is so captivating and unique. She really is a treasure and I appreciate you bringing attention to her to those who may be unaware of her work. Thanks for going through all of her interviews as well.

Thank you for this great video. I saw Ichiko live about a month ago and her ability to captivate the audience with just her voice and guitar for over an hour was completely surreal. Virtuosity plays a role in her music but it is only used to serve the emotion and mood. She is one of the truest artists working right now and delivered of the best live shows i have ever seen.

[@argovisualz]

These visuals are just as beautiful as her voice

[@ISilencerI]

thank you for this video. Ive been obsessed with her music for the last few days...

[@flowerss.992]

I Love ྀིྀི her music. I’ve been listening to her for more than a year now and I feel so calm every time I listen to her. I’ve been trying to learn the guitar as well 🎐

[@tebicjisnk]

holy cow it's so pleasant to hear that i am not the only person who saw the strongest connection with nature in ichiko's songs

[@abstractjapan]

Thank you for this!!! ✨

[@raxkhmanLite]

Made wanna dive into her works more! Thanks for the video! 🙇

[@XxTakexXxCarexX]

Thank you for putting me on brother

[@RamenDesuyoo]

Finally! its about time for people to hear a god-tier artist. So happy to see Ichiko-san getting recognized globally!

[@freehousekeeping6933]

Literally love Ichiko Aoba saw her in Austin in October I cried the whole time and I pray she does another concert here fs.

[@caitlunsford2440]

i had the huge honor of seeing her live at big ears 2023, and in a cathedral no less! it was an incredible experience, so so thankful that i got a ticket at the last minute, one of my highlights of 2023

[@odnarlo]

i would love to see her collaborate with Aurora or Tamino. so beautiful and unearthly ethereal. She's so relatable.

[@mila1460]

i've listened to her right before quarantine. her music was like an escape from reality, and still is. i remember seeing her for the first time in nyc almost two years ago, and i was in front, like 5 feet away from her!! i remember crying a little cause her voice and her music just HIT all the spots and feelings i've been unable to feel properly and to show out loud. i've struggled with depression for nearly a decade now and her music is something that helps me cope, just as it helps others!!! she makes me so happy and i hope she realize how happy she makes other people. i think the first song i listened from her was '機械仕掛乃宇宙'. it was a twelve-minute song and i felt like i was in a dream every minute of it.

[@EspyJW]

Thank you so much for sharing Ichiko Aoba with us. Just like Studio Ghibli films, I have a feeling my life will never be the same after being introduced.

[@caesartalks956]

Ichiko aoba is one of a million

[@palantevisuals376]

Ichiko Aoba is legendary 🔥 thank you for this video

[@un3hcorn]

i'm so thankful her music is out in the world.... its just so special and wondrous

[@squward]

I’m glad she’s getting more recognition☺️ Awesome video🫶

[@Asandrya]

so glad to see her being talked about!

[@Malik.lab11]

If you like Ichiko Aoba, then I have some great recs for you: :) Masakatsu Takagi - Kagayaki Takagi lets us see the world through the eyes of a child, who celebrates the life. Furthermore, he photographs the family warmth on a warm spring day. Kagayaki ranges from soul-stirring piano chords to extraordinary flute- and violin tones. Incomparable in every way! it perfumes my room with the odour of lilac. Truly a spiritual experience Yoshiko Sai - Tai no Yume She has a delicate voice and mixes japanese folk music with flamenco sound. Her songs are rooted in natural light. It's an album that exudes passion in all directions!! Long Season Live - a 41 minutes long love letter, which I'd consider as one of the biggest moments in the history of music. A gift to humanity! The symbiosis between the guitar, violin, accordion, kalimba, chimes and outboard effects is OUT OF THIS WORLD. All of this seemed somehow familiar to me, as if they had opened the door of my lost memories and shown me the composition of everything l've ever dreamed about. An endlessly euphoric song that surges through my bloodstream Maria Asahira - Maria Ayano Kaneko - Sansan Lamp - For Lovers

[@yayyforglitter]

Wow tysm for the recs!! Do u have more or maybe a playlist? :)

[@Malik.lab11]

@@yayyforglitter If you‘re into electronic music: Yellow Magic Orchestra have invited us to funky parties with confetti rain, which will never reach the ground as long as the sweet synths are filling the room with life. It’s a Kraftwerk-esque sound. Very memorable melodies :)

[@Malik.lab11]

@@yayyforglitter I have a playlist but the link doesn‘t work in the yt comments :(

[@yayyforglitter]

@@Malik.lab11 ohh what abt ur username or playlist name, I'll try searching it!! And ty againnn!

[@Malik.lab11]

@@yayyforglitter Name: malik! easy to find playlist name: Sound 4 The Music Enthusiasts. The latest one in my profile is the japanese playlist 🙌🏻 I love to discover new music, I’d cool if you have some nice playlists on public

[@victoriamuendo7540]

This was a worth risk It's my first here Loved it Now subscribed Discovered Ichiko Thank you ❤

[@0001-exe]

i love Ichiko Aoba so much 💗

[@yesjimin1621]

Woah I never thought I would relate to her story so much 😭💜

[@anyaguinzbourg8609]

I only discovered her last year, and saw she was coming to my city back in Feb. I knew I had to hear her live immediately, and I don’t regret it. She transcends reality with her voice, such a true and genuine artist. ✨

[@valoupas8410]

THANK YOU for talking about Ichiko Aoba. Her music resonates so much with me that even if i don't particularly listen to music so often, ichiko aoba's music is always something i come back to, and is essentially the only musics that i listen regularly, because it has this capacity to calm me instantly and make me feel so much in a conforting way. I hope your video will lead some new people to listen to her.

[@unit333angel]

I am sooooo happy you made this video about her. She is a much needed gem in this day and age

[@wonder_rain_]

This is lovely I had no idea this artist was out there! She reminds me a bit of Aurora and now I wish they could collaborate, maybe shes now up there as a top favorite artist right there with Aurora in my book!!!

[@growingdying]

Omg that would be such a beautiful collaboration. I love aurora! 🫂

[@arkhamskida]

i love her.

[@lumiere930]

I know this video won't do the numbers but this is your best one yet. Well researched, told in a captivating way and also quite moving. This one hit me personally as an artist. You know that you have to make stuff you might not necessarily be interested in just to get noticed and that can be conflicting when you also want to express yourself in a more authentic way. Love your work man and thanks for making this one

[@TetoEnjoyer1310]

DUDE YES I LOVE ICHIKL AOBA SO MUCH I LITERALLY SLEEP OT HER SONGS OML

[@catjesusbean]

You’re my goat on nebula and KZbin 🤩💖

[@averagetwinkenjoyer]

omg it's Ichiko!

[@the.DelChannel]

Been following since she dropped qp and it's still surreal how popular she's become since then. Very grateful to see her live twice! Thanks for bringing more eyes and ears to her music.

[@cx0b1n]

ICHIKO AOBA MENTION

[@shadow-vf6ef]

Watch her live are still one of very unique experiences of my life.

[@justAmood8]

I used to put Ichiko Aoba on repeat when I'd study or have to pull off some all-nighters. Needless to say she was at the top of my Spotify and i was in the top 1% of listeners last year lol. I'm so glad that so many other people, despite not understanding a single thing she's singing, are just as captivated as I am by her fairy-like sound.

[@gothgirl311]

im so happy to see a video about her, her music genuinely saved my life

[@a2202]

First time I’m hearing of Ichiko Aoba and I’m loving her music. Thanks for shining light onto her artistry, your videos make my day so much better Phillip!

[@umvemnyama]

Hard to watch this video without tearing up. The music is so beautiful

[@thejenkster5373]

Thank you for making this video. I don't know if I've ever experienced such a close personal connection to an artist's music as I have with Ichiko Aoba's. Her music is so simple, yet at the time so uniquely personal, intimate, imaginative, and timeless. It's like she's singing directly to your heart, telling you that everything will be okay in the end. She truly is an angel.

[@Drstrange3000]

I knew she sounded familiar! I have a few songs from her on my Spotify. Her music soothes my soul. I play it to calm me down. Her voice sounds so otherworldly.

[@rufex2001]

I’ve been listening to Windswept Adan for over a year now, it’s a gorgeous album!

[@arin4395]

awesome video recommendation ! thank you for sharing with us , ichiko is deserving of all appraisal & support 💗

[@Aspirankit]

Falling asleep to her songs is the best thing that happened to me in 2024

[@HomiSant]

I wish to experience life the way she does oh my gosh thank you for covering her

[@boscorner]

I've had times in my life where I lived freely and without ego . I've gotten away from it and am trying to get back there every day.. Not claiming to be as brilliant as her. But I definitely have been there before , as far as the open free way of being. Not sure how to now though. And what's crazy is it wasn't even that long ago. I'm sure I'll be back someday 😅

[@matthewglenguir7204]

your editing is top notch

[@CourtesyDrop]

would encourage anyone to dig into her circle of friends in Japan as well; there's a whole hell of a lot to be found there, of the same uniqueness and honesty as her (just different sounds and energy levels. haha). as a jaded punk/diy old soul from the midwest, they're the most refreshing group of people i've encountered in a long time, and i can personally attest to how warm, kind, and genuine they are as people start at her project with Mahito from Gezan, called "NUAMM", and go from there. it's a hefty journey to undertake if you can't speak or read japanese, but it's more than worth it

[@RvFakhyori]

Saw her live last year, and even took photo with her😆

[@mmps18]

Such a beautiful otherworldly voice, thank you!

[@ashesN]

I thank algorithm gods to have recommended this to me, I glanced at the title on my feed and I had to stop when I read the name and had to watch it (never expected to see someone talking about Ichiko Aoba), Thank you so much for making this video, loved every bit of it and gotta say love your style and taste. I look forward to your content.

[@ooooswain]

Brother this video is so well made. Thank you. I discovered Ichiko Aoba in 2019 and fell in love with her music and her soul. She writes from the deepest parts of the human soul and when we listen with our soul we feel her, her beauty, and her warmth. She is without a doubt, one of the greatest musicians to ever walk this earth. She is an angel God sent to remind us of our spiritual connection to nature and each other.

[@MrMemesPhd]

I'm glad to see you guys back

[@vairelettes]

I adore her and her music sm, I enjoyed watching this aswell

[@mathiasolsson8540]

He’s back!!!!!

[@guardianfish7718]

It was the Sagu Palm's song that made me love her As a botanist with deep interest in paleontology, I didn't need to know what the lyrics are about. I just imagined this group of plants that still exists today watching life change around them throughout the eons. And then eventually I did read a translation of the lyrics and now my favourite song is also my favourite poem.

[@ttnylamb4525]

wow love this video! I've been listening to her since 2021 and she's my favorite artist. great to know more about her story. My favorite song from her is imperial smoke town or 機械仕掛乃宇宙

[@thatmanYF]

phillip is back

[@992macg]

Thank you so much for introducing such wonderful artist, fell in love the first time I heard, my soul and senses is soothed

[@JukeboxHistory]

This is amazing. Thank you for making this video

[@aa5654]

Thank you so much for this video, this is something i never know i needed

[@amazanta1605]

Gotta love the return one of my massive inspirations in terms of editing

[@MoMonarch]

0 is one of my favorite albums of all time thank you for covering this

[@ShogunxCAL]

Surprised to see a video on her. She has a mythical voice.

[@Jaymihi]

ive been a top 0.001 listener of her on spotify for 2 years in a row now xd

[@nikomenicou7304]

I love every volksgeist video you have a way of storytelling like no one else

[@ebbiec]

Doesn't he! I literally just bought my first ever super thanks because he speaks like a professional professor, and the research is sick!

[@nikomenicou7304]

@@ebbiec yeah right! I think after this video I’m finally going to subscribe to nebula

[@Amaling]

For a totally different sounding but still fantastic active Japanese folk artist, I would HIGHLY recommend Kaneko Ayano. These two ladies are POPPING OFF