Ako – Japan’s Most Underrated Pop Artist in 2025

If you are searching for your next favorite artist, look no further.

Going against the current Jpop trends of allusive lyrics and faceless singers, few new artists are as bold as ako (a子).

Her self-produced sound combines masterfully with one of a kind music videos and story telling. Listening to ako feels like peeking into the rawest form of an artist.

Despite putting all her cards on the table, she still maintains a safe, mysterious distance – and it leaves listeners like me wanting more.

WHO IS AKO?

Ako is a solo artist. No, she isn’t a band, even though she has a full 5-piece sound.

Her supporting band members belong to her creative team londog. The group helps Ako achieve her unique look and sound.

She originally comes from Hyogo prefecture, near Osaka, and is responsible for making and self-producing almost all of her releases.

Her career as an artist began in 2020. Ako gathered the londog team members from connections she made at jazz cafes and music bars.

Her driven and rock-solid creative view shines through in her music.

Personally, her efforts in starting her own artist collective as a young woman are truly admirable. Gathering trustworthy members who share the same vision is a lot of work. I could never do that myself.

She is strong and mysterious yet playful and cute. She is super fem mixed with a sharp edge.

I hope that didn’t sound too cliche, but all of Ako’s contradictions make her all the more interesting.

Its hard to pin exactly what Ako might do next, but one thing always stays the same – her bright neon red hair.

Ako draws inspiration from artists such as Billie Eilish, The Marias, and Melanie Martinez. While she can be described as part of the dream pop genre, she also takes inspiration from jpop and jrock.

RECS

Ako’s music videos are set in unique worlds.

The world building reminds me of Hachi (Yonezu Kenshi) or Eve. There is less lore but I’m just as interested.

Her stories are just as captivating as her sounds.

A few of her songs have a strong rock and electric guitar forward sound.

Her bassist, Gaku Usui, is brilliant at writing groovy basslines. If you like the funky basslines of songs like “Say So” by Doja Cat or “After the Storm” by Kali Uchis and Tyler the Creator, I think you will like Ako’s music and some of her bass forward songs.

The bass is deep and funky in a way that doesn’t overpower her high pitch soft whisper vocals.

Again, I really like the contradictions Ako brings to her sound.