近藤利樹

WITH "U"

Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai

Search Light

Volare

Beautiful Girl

First Love

Sinske

Sunny Side

Quest 4

This Is Me

Noho Paipai

Eight years after his debut, Riki Kondo-widely known as the "Naniwa Lightning-Fast Ukulele Boy"-returns at the age of 18 with his long-awaited full-length album HELLO! HELLO!.

The album is produced by Gota Nishidera and Tomoya Yamagata of NONA REEVES. While opening up new possibilities for the ukulele as an instrument, the record fuses pop and soul sensibilities across seven tracks in this digital-only release.

As he transitions from boyhood to young adulthood, Kondo's fresh pop instincts and solid musicianship come together in a vivid portrait of growth and change-music that captures the moment he is in right now. The title track "HELLO! HELLO!"is a straight-ahead pop anthem that honestly reflects the emotions of an 18-year-old. Bright, breezy, and rock-driven, it feels like a song that gently ushers listeners into a "new season."
"You Are a Monster" is a bouncy, danceable pop tune powered by a Motown beat, written and composed by Kondo himself. Closing the album is "BABY LOVER," a cover of a song originally included on Gota Nishidera's solo album HEARTBREAK. Written by Nishidera at the age of 12, the song is reborn through Kondo's fresh vocals and youthful sensitivity.

With the assured production of the NONA REEVES team resonating alongside the sensibilities of an 18-year-old artist, this album stands as one of the first true pop anthems of 2026.
The hope and regenerative energy carried in the word "HELLO!" reaches out to all listeners living in the present moment-marking the beginning of a new chapter for Riki Kondo.

Participating Musicians:
 Riki Kondo - Vocal & Ukulele
 Gota Nishidera - Programming, Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion & Chorus
 Tomoya Yamagata - Guitars, Programming & Chorus
 Shigeru Komatsu - Drums
 Junichi "Sunapang" Sunayama - Bass
 Kensuke Okuda - Keyboards & Guitars
 kuboty - Guitars & Bass on "HELLO! HELLO!"
 Yuzuru Tomita - All Instruments on "BABY LOVER"

Hello! Hello!

"HELLO! HELLO!" is a bright and uplifting young pop anthem by Riki Kondo, delivering a message of connection, courage, and moving forward together even in a confusing and uncertain world.
The song opens with the idea of searching for melodies, symbolizing the journey of finding one's place and voice amid chaos and change.

Letting go of what is no longer needed and jumping onto a new stage at a fresh signal, the lyrics encourage listeners to embrace the present rather than being trapped by the past or by answers no one truly knows.
The repeated chorus - "You're not alone" and "HELLO! HELLO!" - feels like a heartfelt call reaching out directly to the listener, offering warmth, reassurance, and companionship.

Beyond its energetic pop sound, the song gently promises to stay by your side during lonely nights and tearful moments, singing quietly in your heart when words are not enough.
The image of dancing within an endless swirl of light captures the joy of sharing irreplaceable dreams and continuing to move forward together.

With its infectious melody and sincere positivity, "HELLO! HELLO!" is a song that lights the way toward tomorrow - a celebration of togetherness that resonates "forever and ever."

WITH "U"

歌曲列表

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WITH "U"

歌曲列表

更多 近藤利樹

更多近藤利樹