Last Updated on 2025-09-23 by a-indie
Sound Evolution, and Into the Future
Helena: We work on dance beats and pop sounds in parallel. In most cases, what kind of sound it should be is already planned (in our hearts). It’s a bit difficult to put into words, but we “listen” to sounds like people see images, and we draw them out like crazy artists. The process differs from song to song, but since we have many unreleased songs, I hope everyone can experience them when the album is released on September 17th. Please look forward to it!
—Yuki Takita: Which song was the breakthrough in this album, or which song do you feel shows the most change and evolution? Personally, I think “Oyster” has a mystical and experimental electronic aggressiveness, but the landing is pop music, and I felt your underlying strength in that editing ability.
Helena: If asked that, I’d also answer that “Oyster” is the breakthrough and shows change and progress (and it’s also one of the most difficult songs to perform live!). Each of us plays each instrument with different beats, but each layer underneath exists for a reason, and everything comes out round and together as a sound. It’s actually a track I’m quite proud of. Another one we personally like is an unreleased song called “Sonic Boom.” It becomes the first song (in order) of this new album, incorporating classic sounds while bringing out groovy, space-themed sounds.
—Yuki Takita: “Everybody,” featuring Thailand’s four-piece band H3F, was also a highlight of this work. Please tell us about the relationship between H3F and you, the reason for collaboration, and any episodes from the production process.
Helena: H3F and KIKI have been close friends for a very long time. It’s been over 10 years since we’ve known each other. This story started when we met in a parking lot when we attended an awards ceremony where we were both nominated. A casual conversation of “let’s make a song together someday” remained that way for over a year, but we contacted each other again and said “let’s finally do it!”
This is one of the first songs created from scratch. We gathered in the studio and started jamming, looking for the right chords and riffs, while Max (H3F’s drummer) handled the impromptu beat performance. We recorded everything we improvised in that session, went home, and met again with a rough demo in hand. The lyrics were the last part that Gong (H3F’s vocalist) and I worked on. We decided from the beginning not to write a love song—no love songs! So we projected something else we both experienced into the lyrics and expressed it in our respective words.
I’m grateful for their hard work and dedication to this track. They’re truly amazing, talented, and one of the most relaxing bands to work with. Please support H3F!
Message from KIKI
—Yuki Takita: Who do you want to listen to ‘Death of a Daisy & Birth of an Oyster’?
Helena: All the songs we create are for everyone. Music should be for everyone, so we don’t really target specific groups! But when this album is released, I hope we don’t disappoint everyone, and I hope everyone will love it as much as we do. Of course, after releasing this album, we’ll continue working and move on to our fourth album (though we’re not in a hurry). Taking all the time we need to create the best we can.
—Yuki Takita: You have live shows in Japan on September 26th and 27th, so please share your enthusiasm for those, and finally, could you give a message to Japanese listeners?
Helena: I’m incredibly excited to visit Japan again this year and perform for everyone. To those who have supported us from our beginning until now, or those who recently discovered us, regardless of when you started your journey with us, I’m truly grateful from the bottom of my heart. We’ll perform live at MOONROMANTIC in Tokyo on September 26th, at Tokyo Playground (Kabukicho Tower) on the 27th, and at Music City Tenjin (Fukuoka) on the 28th. If you have time during this period, please come dance with us. I’m always looking forward to seeing everyone. Until we meet again, sending you the greatest love.
Thank you so much for this interview. It was really fun to look back on memories that took a little time to share, and I’m grateful for having the opportunity to do so. I hope whoever is reading this interview is doing well, sleeping well, and having good dreams. Until we meet again.
With love,
KIKI
KIKI Album Release
3rd Album ‘Death of a Daisy & Birth of an Oyster’
Release Date: September 24, 2025 (Streaming release – September 10)
Format: 12-inch Vinyl (Yellow Color)
Price: 4800 yen (tax included)
*Initial order until September 15th
Track listing:
A-side
1. Sonic Boom
2. Baby
3. Good Day
4. Everybody (with H3F)
5. Love is so unreal
B-side
6. Together
7. Sick
8. Daisy
9. Walk away
10. Say it
11. Oyster
View at BIG ROMANTIC RECORDS
KIKI Profile
A three-piece electro-pop band formed in Bangkok, consisting of Helen (Vo.), Boss (Gt.), and Nont (Gt.). Their music is futuristic dance music that fuses alternative disco synth-pop sounds with mellow vocals, also incorporating elements of R&B and soft rock. Since the release of their 1st album ‘METAMORPHOSIS FINAL STAGE’ in 2022, they have attracted attention domestically and internationally, performing at festivals in France, Hong Kong, and Korea. In 2023, they released their 2nd album ‘POST-EXISTENTIAL CRISIS’, acquiring a deeper and more minimal worldview. They continue to evolve and are now a hot topic as a global newcomer.
KIKI Japan Tour Details
Event Name: KIKI live in Tokyo
Date: September 26, 2025 (Friday)
Doors/Show: 19:00 / 19:00
Venue: Tokyo・Aoyama MOONROMANTIC
Performers: KIKI, DJ Kenmochi Hidefumi (Wednesday Campanella)
Tickets: adv 5500 yen / door 6000 yen +Drink fee
*Entry by numbered ticket order
*This is a Japan tour in conjunction with the already announced performance at “TOKYO PLAYGROUND” in Shinjuku Kabukicho
Tickets:
peatix https://250926.peatix.com
Writer: Yuki Takita
Born in 1991, a freelance writer from Tomakomai City, Hokkaido. After graduating from the same university as TEAM NACS, he entered a music vocational school and majored in the writer course.
There he produced three music freepapers and conducted everything from artist interviews to editing.
Using that experience, he joined a cross-media music media company with freepapers and web media, where he experienced writing and editing review articles and sales.
After leaving, he changed jobs to become a staff member at a major record shop and also wrote disc review articles for their in-house media.
This opportunity led him to start his activities as a freelance music writer. Currently, he is a salaryman and music writer who dreams of holding an outdoor music festival in his hometown of Tomakomai.
He enjoys cats, movie watching, and reading. Komatsu Nana and curry & biryani exploration are his lifestyle.
Articles he has written so far are here
Articles written for other media are here
Twitter: @takita_funky
- is a music media platform run by BELONG, a Japanese music organization. We publish music articles with a focus on indie music.