The Tokyo-based girls creative collective bala released their first EP, bala-llel world, on April 19, 2024.

The six-track EP includes tracks created with popular names in the music world including the pop tune LIKE THAT, the ending song for ABEMA’s anime and pop culture information program SHIBUYA ANIME BASE; the group’s debut song barla, produced by Shinichi Osawa (Mondo Grosso) and written by Kenmochi Hidefumi (Wednesday Campanella); Tokyo Survivor, a song detailing Japan’s capital also produced by Kenmochi Hidefumi; and Heavenly, produced by Bodysync, an electronic unit comprised of Ryan Hemsworth and Giraffage. It also includes two new songs: Freedom and Kimi ga Mitsuketa Kono Hoshi, produced by LLLL. The EP’s title is meant to inspire listeners to wonder whether the girls are talking about Tokyo, or whether they are a part of a parallel world consisting of their own style and worldview.

Aiming to create solidarity among female artists and creators who are active in the youth culture scene, bala is continuously participating and creating activities that go beyond music. Many songs on the new EP feature respected female artists and creators as producers, graphic designers, and lyricists, including Lil’ Leise But Gold and Yuppa (HNC), YUKARI, 0CM (Candice Mana Ono), Hana Watanabe, and danbabeboo. The members themselves were in charge of CG graphics and music video editing, with KANO providing the graphics for the EP’s jacket and MANON personally editing the music video for the lead song LIKE THAT, released alongside the EP. The video embodies the friendship the girls share and is filled to the brim with peaceful vibes.

Since the end of last year, bala has been invited to participate in a series of events in Hanoi, Shanghai, Bangkok, and other Asian countries, and has received DJ plays and accolades from up-and-coming British and American artists such as Mall Grab, Wavedash, Swami Sound, and Alice Longyu Gao, attracting attention as a rare group able to combine Japanese pop culture and world-class club music, both of the mainstream and underground varieties. In 2024, starting with the new EP, MANON and SUNNY ONLY 1 will release solo tracks, and the girls will keep sharing the cutting edge of Tokyo youth culture with the rest of the world.

■Main Participating Artists
Shinichi Osawa / Kenmochi Hidefumi / BODYSYNC / Kazuto Okawa: LLLL / Stand Alone / Yuppa (HNC) / SAORI (THE SUZAN) / LIl’ Leise But Gold / MERI

■Main Participating Creators
YUKARI / 0CM (Candice Mana Ono) / Hana Watanabe / danbabeboo / Touko Nakamura

<Artist Comments>

Shinichi Osawa
“Congratulations to bala, a creative collective not bound by existing styles, on releasing their first EP. I’m looking forward to seeing what you create in the future.”

Kenmochi Hidefumi
“It’s been a year since bala debuted, and since then, I’ve had the pleasure of working with them at many different venues. Each time I see them, I realize their ‘character’ is taking shape. They’re intensely interested in expressing themselves and always get the crowd going with their stage presence. The people having the most fun at a bala event are the members themselves. (laugh)
They’re cool, they’re kawaii, they’re silly, they’re everything else you can imagine. This release is their richest yet, and you can see how much they’ve grown. Congratulations on your first EP release!”