UnderGROUND by Kensuke Sudo
前作からわずか9ヶ月。ザ・ビートルズへの“敬愛”と“脱皮”が矛盾なく共存する、Kensuke Sudoの2ndアルバムが早くも登場。
Kensuke Sudo、21歳。少年の輪郭が静かにほどけ、まだ名前のない“何か”へと変わっていく途中の記録。敬愛するビートルズやELOへのまなざしを胸に、日々の実感や同世代との関係性を通じて、自身の音楽的輪郭をより鮮やかに描き出した──それが、この2ndアルバム『UnderGROUND』です。
この1年、ライブ活動を共にしてきた仲間たちの影響を受けながら、作曲やアレンジに新たな展開が生まれました。ブルーノ・マーズのようなグルーヴ、エド・シーランに通じるポップの普遍性、そしてなにより、ビートルズをルーツとした構築美とメロディ至上主義が、Kensuke Sudoの音楽の核心にあります。
全楽器演奏、録音、ミックスまで自ら手がけたこの作品は、すでに“完成”の域に達しながらも、まだ誰にも発見されていない鉱石のような危うさも残しており、その進化の過程を感じることができるでしょう。
ポップスとソウルの中間を軽やかに滑る「Underground」、ロックンロールの現在地を示す「Never Coming Back」、無骨なブリティッシュR&Bの血脈に連なる「Sunshine」、ファルセットとストリングスに挑んだ「Perfection」、ガットギターと声だけで静かに響く「My Friend」。遊び心としての引用と、内省から生まれた旋律が10曲それぞれに息づいています。
この作品が、“耳で判断したい”すべての音楽ファン、とりわけ洋楽を愛するリスナーに届くことを願っています。
── Can you hear him?
Just nine months after his debut, Kensuke Sudo returns with his second album — a seamless blend of reverence for The Beatles and a bold step into new territory.
At 21, Sudo captures a moment of transformation: the soft dissolution of boyhood into something unnamed yet vividly forming. While the spirit of The Beatles and ELO still lingers in his heart, this album is rooted in real-life experiences and connections with his peers — making the sound unmistakably his own.
Influenced by the energy of his live bandmates, he explores new arrangements and textures. You'll find the groove of Bruno Mars, the pop universality of Ed Sheeran, and above all, a deep-rooted love for melodic architecture and classic songcraft.
Sudo plays all instruments, records, and mixes the album himself. The sound is already remarkably complete — yet still raw, like an uncut gemstone waiting to shine even brighter.
From the soulful pop opener "Underground" to the swagger of "Never Coming Back," the rough R&B charm of "Sunshine," the falsetto-laced "Perfection," and the acoustic intimacy of "My Friend" — each of the ten tracks is alive with melodic insight and emotional clarity.
This album is for those who listen with open ears — especially fans of classic and timeless pop music.
Can you hear him?
Tracklist
| 1. | Underground | 3:35 |
| 2. | Love Means A Lot | |
| 3. | Never Coming Back | |
| 4. | Special House | |
| 5. | Sunshine | |
| 6. | Perfection | |
| 7. | Maybe I'm Just A Fool | |
| 8. | Set Me Free | |
| 9. | My Friend | 2:27 |
| 10. | Tempting Seat | |
Credits
All songs and lyrics written and mixed by Kensuke Sudo
All vocals and instruments performed by Kensuke Sudo
except:
– Miki Hirose – trumpet on track 1
– Lucas Higashino – saxophone on track 4
Recorded by Wataru Minamide
Mastered by Steve Corrao at Sage Audio (Nashville, TN)
Released by FAV2
Published in 2025
Catalog No.: FAV-2001D
License
All rights reserved.
Kensuke Sudo is a Japanese multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer born in 2004. Inspired by Paul McCartney’s “Fine Line” at age 4, he began playing piano, then guitar and MTR. His debut album NowhereLAND is fully self-produced. Sean Magee (Abbey Road) praised: “Good song and nice sound. This man should have a bright future.”
すべての音を自ら奏でる、新世代のDIYアーティスト。