J-pop duo YOASOBI rose to fame amid the devastating Covid pandemic, emerging from the worldwide tragedy as one of Japan’s most celebrated exports. The group, which consists of Ayase and Lilas Ikuta, started by adapting short stories into song form, invigorating the outfit’s disco-infused 8-bit pop with captivating narratives. Ayase chose Ikuta for the project’s vocalist after finding cover songs she posted online, and on early releases like 2021’s THE BOOK, it’s clear why she fits the bill. Her voice can move between delicate, subtle, epic and joyous at a moment’s notice, giving the duo’s arena-ready pop a jolt of dynamism. In 2024, the group dropped E-SIDE 3, which found Ayase and Ikuta expanding outside of their distinct Japanese influences, like on “Biri-Biri (English Version)”, where they blend videogame synths and racing drums with Y2K-era U.S. pop music. Elsewhere, on “Seventeen”, the duo embraced the hyperpop aesthetic, mixing metal-inspired guitar with crunching drums and delirious synths.