NME’s latest stars of The Cover, ATARASHII GAKKO!, have shared an exclusive playlist to accompany the story’s launch – check it out below.
The Japanese band are on this week’s (September 16) edition of The Cover, a renewal of NME’s commitment to supporting emerging talent across the globe on a weekly basis. Every week, a rising artist will feature on The Cover – you can read the profile of ATARASHII GAKKO! here, written by JX Soo and featuring photography by Toshio Ohno.
Accompanying the story is an exclusive playlist that ATARASHII GAKKO! have compiled, titled ‘What you need to hear right now’. The quartet’s wide-ranging collection highlights their favourite J-pop hits, including songs from pop icon Koda Kumi, singer-songwriter Sheena Ringo, classic pop group Finger 5 and more – alongside five tracks by the band themselves.
Listen to the full playlist on Spotify below and on Apple Music.
ATARASHII GAKKO!’s appearance on The Cover comes following the release of their latest album, ‘AG! Calling’, their first since signing with 88rising. For the quartet, the record acted like a “big namecard” that “collect[ed] all of their powers” as they introduced themselves to international collaborators and audiences. “With ‘AG! Calling’, we want to say that no matter where you are, we will be there!” Mizyu tells NME.
For their Cover story, ATARASHII GAKKO! also reflect on the long path they’ve walked since forming the band back in 2015. “When we began, it felt like a place to gather, like a school club,” says Kanon. “Since we met, the only thing that hasn’t changed is that we are still tight. I really think of us as forever sisters – whether we’re in the galaxy or the ocean, we can go anywhere as long as we’re four.”
Find out more about ATARASHII GAKKO! in the full Cover story here and see who else has been on The Cover here.
